[KYHeirloomer]

Better listen good to shroomgirl on this one, or you're going to lose your shirt.

The way you're describing it, you're going to plan the menu, shop, cook, plate, serve, and clean up afterwards for up to 75 people at a top rate of 12 bucks per (and, given the range, more likely ten).

We're talking a top end of only $900. Deduct from that the cost of food & drinks and overheads. Then divide the balance by the time you'll have invested. I guarantee you'll be working for considerably less than minimum wage.

I'm thinking this ladies group is looking to take advantage of you. And, as Julie notes, after getting this bargain, they'll be sure and come back for more of the same.

[shroomgirl]

Or worse scenerio.....50 or less at $10...or -$500, if kids are in the count.

I'd go huge green salad with lots of vegetables, throw on a something special....raspberries or people love mandrian oranges.....with a group this size I'd leave off croutons and nuts, just too many allergies and celiacs around. Meat optional....I'd be more apt to leave it off.

Then maybe one/two of those Savory Cheesecakes with crostini

Assortment of Rolls/crackers etc.

Coffee set up can be pricey, sugar, sweet and low, 1/2 and 1/2, skim, maybe decaf....if it's lunch I'd do just decaf.

Ice Tea you'd need to make the day prior to get it cold.....then have something to transport it in....

Juice.

No mention of a commercial dishwasher. Handwashing would not be fun.

You've got one plate, silverware, glasses/cups.

Salad assembly can go quickly, cheesecake (s) can be premade, ditto crostini, all you'd have to mess with last minute are breads....

Some wow! factor can be a garnish or inexpensive twist of an ingredient.....pesto twist sticks, whatever.....presentation should also be a wow....nothing says you can't bring in shtuff from home to decorate.

[mom1stcook2nd]

Wow! You guys have really helped put everything in perspective for me. You make some excellent points, the most important being if I do this once at the price they've requested,I'll be stuck at that price point (at least with this group) indefinitely.

[shroomgirl]

When someone says what their budget is I'll give them options that fit in their budget, then have add-ons....or give them meals with different price points but not way outside their budget or suggest they just have Tea instead of coffee/tea/juice....

[pgr555]

Example of what shroom just mentioned - Woman told me she had budget of $1000 for 75 people, and then gave me the menu she had in mind. I told her I could not do that menu for that price, but would give her a price on the menu she wanted (it came out to about $1600) and a menu for $1000. This did NOT include plates, flatware, serving staff etc. I also gave her 2 other ideas of menus I thought she would like in a range of prices. We ended up with her picking items from the other menus as well as her own - with her saying she realized now that she hadn't known what things cost at todays prices, and it will be about $2000.
Options and conversations can do wonders!