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How much food in a tray?

post #1 of 6
10/16/07 at 11:59am
Thread Starter 
Hello all...

I am very new to the catering business (2 small jobs so far) and trying to make it a full time job...
Wondering if anyone can tell me how much chicken or beef would be included in a half tray of food? For example, many menus have chicken Marsala on the menu and was wondering how many pounds of chicken should be purchased for half a tray? Same for beef?

Thanks...cheers...
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post #2 of 6
10/16/07 at 1:13pm
Hi Rmwag,
Good luck with the new business.
You need to be more specific with portion control. needs to be worked out per head, not per vague tray.
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post #3 of 6
10/16/07 at 1:18pm
Thread Starter 
thanks for the quick response...from what I have seen from other catering menu's a half tray will feed 5 - 7 people and a full tray 8 - 12 people...
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post #4 of 6
10/16/07 at 6:09pm
well a portion of protein can be 5-8 oz normally....depends on what goes with it....so I'd multiply that times the amount of people....
40 oz for 1/2 tray
80 oz for full.....

shooting in the dark here as we don't price product out that way.
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post #5 of 6
10/16/07 at 8:31pm
Half tray in my book is for 6 people. for chicken marsala figure 8 oz per head after trimming, pounding or whatever, so start with a little more than 3 lbs. Or just decide your portion size, think about how much waste or shrinkage will occur then multiply by 6.
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post #6 of 6
10/18/07 at 8:18am
I have found over the years that a butcher can be my best friend and a great source of info. If you are starting out get to know a butcher and they can be great help with meat portions. :smoking:
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