[Anna_Boston]

I have this opportunity to cook lunch for 90-100 people for a fixed price - basically the less money I spend on it, the more $$ I make.
What would you do?

thanks!

[ChefBillyB]

I would make a meal that impresses them or I would do it. Money isn't everything but your reputation is.......................Bill

[ED BUCHANAN]

Originally Posted by Anna_Boston

I have this opportunity to cook lunch for 90-100 people for a fixed price - basically the less money I spend on it, the more $$ I make.
What would you do?

thanks!

EXTREMELY VAGUE QUESTION

What age people, what type people(mid class. upscale etc) majority gender. Buffet, sitdown? Budget constraints? One cannot make a blanket decision unless all facts are known. Amount of time your putting in.

[Anna_Boston]

Well, yes, but you can often do something impressive and creative on a budget - that's what I was talking about, not how to cut corners.
Right now I'm thinking doing an Israeli pita bar type lunch, with schnitzel, falafel and israeli salad.

[Anna_Boston]

Originally Posted by ED BUCHANAN

EXTREMELY VAGUE QUESTION

What age people, what type people(mid class. upscale etc) majority gender. Buffet, sitdown? Budget constraints? One cannot make a blanket decision unless all facts are known. Amount of time your putting in.

It's an office lunch for a travel company. Buffet, a few vegetarians.

[Anna_Boston]

Oh and the fixed price I was talking about is about $10/ person ($1000 total)

[shroomgirl]

tabbouli or Israeli salad, hummus, caponata, made dolmas....there are good brands out there wholesale, Cucumber Yogurt Sauce, huge green salad....maybe fattoush, I would not make falafel unless you have a deep fryer on site. Consider fillo "casserole" for lack of a better word......either cheeses (tiropete) or greens and cheese, or ground meat (birok sp?) or chicken?........someone serving to limit piggies.

Personally, I'd look at leaving out meat and making a total vegetarian meal...

Lots of pitas, pita chips, flat breads, interesting breads......


Make it look flush and huge.......presentation is more important.

I hope you are not providing the beverages, if so consider mint tea or Arnold Palmers.

Paper goods? Desserts? All the piddly addons will keep cutting the bottom line.

Hopefully you have linens, risers, large platters/bowls/baskets, props......I'd pull out the lemons, lemon leaves, copper/brass shtuff.

[Anna_Boston]

thanks!
I'm pretty sure they will want meat...
The set up (linens etc) is all theirs, it's a very casual office lunch - they get it catered every Thursday, getting food from different people.
With falafel - i'm pretty sure I could make it in my kitchen and bring it, it doesn't have to be hot. But skipping it altogether is probably a good idea
I will make sure to as about paper goods, that's a good point.
I'm not providing drinks, and will have to ask about desserts...

[shroomgirl]

dolmas, cuke sauce, fattoush salad, hummos, meat in fillo.....either ground lamb/beef or chicken.....lots of breads. Good profit margin.

[bughut]

Originally Posted by Anna_Boston

Well, yes, but you can often do something impressive and creative on a budget - that's what I was talking about, not how to cut corners.
Right now I'm thinking doing an Israeli pita bar type lunch, with schnitzel, falafel and israeli salad.

I would say you're on the right track already Anna. Keeping the expensive protein to an acceptable minimum and making interesting vegetarian dishes, bound to make you more$$$ and impress the client.

Chicken satay is an inexpensive skewered dish served with a spicy peanut dip. You dont need to use chicken breasts, as thighs are actually more succulent and much cheaper. I have a spot-on recipe if you want it. It would seem to go reasoably well with the above too

[shroomgirl]

watch having sate on buffets.....I've had the delightful experience of guests filling plates with the meat skewers.

[bughut]

Originally Posted by shroomgirl

watch having sate on buffets.....I've had the delightful experience of guests filling plates with the meat skewers.

I dont understand the point

[Gunnar]

Shroomgirl means she had a bunch of greedy pigs eat all the satay and not touch any thing else at the buffet ruining it for everyone

[bughut]

Seriously

I know they're popular. But A) I have never known the rest of the buffet to be ignored because of satays. And B) ...I'm sure i had a B) but its gone

Actually i've just thought of a B) If the rest of the buffet lives up to the satays, No problem

[PeteMcCracken]

ALWAYS set up the buffet with the "expensive stuff" at the "end", start with bread, then starches/vegetables/salads, and finally, the proteins.

NEVER put the high food cost items at the beginning of the buffet line!