Portions per person

SmokinScott · Joined: 02 Apr 2007 Posts: 3

Hello everybody, I have been reading the posts on this site for a few weeks and have picked up a lot of good ideas. I am new to all of this and would like to get into trying to make a little money at it. I have my first job lined up and needed a little advice. About how much Pork Butt would I need to feed 25 people and about how much baked beans would be needed. Also any advice on really getting started with this as a business.

Big Mike · Posted: Apr 02 2007 Post subject:

I figure 6oz of pulled pork per person and 4oz of each side per person. If you are only serving one side, you may want to bump it up to 5oz per person.

25 x 6oz = 150oz (9.4lbs) of finished meat. Which means you will need about 19lbs of uncooked meat. Cook a bit extra to make sure you don't run out.

25x4oz = 100oz (6.25lbs) of beans. Again have some extra.

As far as getting started is concerned, I recommend easing in to it like you are now. Do a few smaller jobs before trying to do a larger one. Know your limits. Remember, your smoker will only cook so much meat.
Never run out of food, your reputation is everything. If you are going to buy a smoker, get one that is bigger than what you think you need. Better to have too much smoker than not enough.

I am just really getting into this myself. I started last summer so BBQMAN and Marv can give you much better advice than me. But hopefully I have helped a little.
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SoEzzy · Posted: Apr 02 2007 Post subject:

Welcome to the forum SmokinScott!

If you really want to do it as a business... look at the local health department, and find out what they need you to have to comply with their regulations.

Check out the threads like, "So I want to do this as a full time job, what now?".

You can also go to www.bbq-review.com where there is a bbq catering planner, you can download it as an .xls or a .zip file, you can input the number of people, the number of meats, portion sizes, etc and it will calculate the amounts you will need to cater that event. It's a freebie, free to download and free to use.

Ask more questions, you will often get as many answers as you get responses, as there are often many ways to do the same job.

The quick answer to your meat quantity question is, at 4 Oz per serving (small portion) you will need at least 11.36 lbs of uncooked pork butts, with 5.33 Oz servings (bigger portion) you will need at least 15.15 lbs uncooked pork butts.

4 Oz / serving is 4 servings / lb.
5.33 Oz / serving is 3 servings / lb.
8 Oz / serving is 2 servings / lb.
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soonerjimmie · BBQ Fan Joined: 31 Mar 2007 Posts: 134 Location: Quincy IL

Once you add all your own stuff to the beans a #10 can would be 25 servings. But like they said if that is your only side, have extra.
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SmokinScott · Joined: 02 Apr 2007 Posts: 3

Just wanted to say thanks for the info. I sure helps knowing that I have somewhere to go for advice.

G's BBQ · BBQ Super Pro Joined: 13 Sep 2006 Posts: 1641 Location: NV