Okay I am one of those people that when I see good chefs with lots of relevant experience asking questions to clarify the information given and they get their head's chewed off it is quite bothersome however, I will refrain from making assumptions and ask some clarifying questions myself.
@ChefCorleys I applaud that you are wanting to take this charity on board. Do you know what the charity is for?? What is their benefit analysis of you working this charity?? (aka: the kickback)
I have noticed that you tend to gear towards being proposed to by charities which makes me think you are looking to expand your customer base. I would refrain from doing events like these at all as they are kind of a career/business buster. When I give back each year in charitable donations, I go to the food bank twice a year and work the kitchen and serving line. I also glean around harvest time and donate food that way. These are more economically viable options for charity giving. Makes you feel good as well as saves you on future headaches of charities knocking on your door for more events such as these. You may also approach these people with a full priced catered meal like regular customers but stipulate that on the NEXT event they cater through you and you will give them a percentage off their NEXT event. This promotes a return investment with this charitable organization that, I am sure, has tons of events per year that you can cater.
Now onto the peopling issue. There are a ton of temporary chef agencies in New York as well as great culinary schools or community colleges that I am sure has a great many people dying for experience. Just Google away and you will find them. The agencies will also be able to help you price out the wages accordingly. They would probably say it would be in the $15-18 range you do get what you pay for. I would guesstimate you will only need two others besides yourself for something like this so you were thinking along the right lines. The cooks that will be helping you can either help you serve or I would get the host of the charity to help serve. This promotes better personal interaction with you and your food and the clients the host is trying to get money out of.
I will have to agree with the others and say that chicken legs are kind of low brow. Take a good look at some of the high end culinary magazines shot at the place you are about to cook at. If your food does not look like that then you will be screwed. They will be expecting very high end stuff.
To steer you in the right direction, think about a theme to your food first. They have given you the parameters, so now get into the specifics. My particular specialties are French and British food so I start there and then put my spin on it. I see what the local farmers markets will have to offer at that time for veg and spice and drive that home in my menu selection. So you can do things like a Mediterranean-style menu, Southern-style, Jamaican-style, New Orleans-style, Asian-style......you name it. As it is a charity event, I would more focus on foods that will be cheap and in season in your neck of the woods, that way costs will be down and you can still charge for FC+.
Food costs + rentals/supplies + variable costs + fixed costs + helper labor + your labor (including shopping, planning,
prep, etc) + profit divided by # people == $$ per person.
Then adjust as needed for local market!
In your menu above, there is far too much work and food going into this event. You have a bread dinner rolls, panko or nut encrusted fish, cornbread stuffed chicken and then a bread pudding. WAAAAAAYY too much bread-stuff.
I am thinking you should try an Indian/Thai inspired menu with Garam Masala Roasted Halibut or Salmon on a Tomato Curry Sauce served with Basamti Rice; Grilled Chicken with Thai Curry Sauce served with Coconut Basmati Rice; for the veg option do a South-Indian style Vegetable Curry that is packed full of root veg. For the app start with a simple Thai Curried Pumpkin with a Coriander swirl in a shooter to get the juices flowing. For the bread item, work with Naan, Chapati and/or Papadum. To finish off in desserts, try a simple chocolate tart as dark chocolate finishes curry nicely. For the drink I would give a choice of an Indian Kingfisher beer or Classic Gin and Tonic with twist of lime or an Indian Old Monk Rum, Mango Pulp and Fresh Ginger muddled and topped with ice and club soda. This is just a look at staying within a theme without being too repetitive and heavy.
Do not worry yourself on quoting a mid to high range. This is a charity event and you are the one in charge so state what is on the menu and that is it. Nuff said as you have better things to do then give away your time to people making a pretty penny off of the dishes you are serving. Once again, I am going to say that it is in your best interest to NOT give away your time and energy to charities like this. If they really want you to "sponsor" them then they can pay in full for this event and get a discount on the next.....that is it.
I suggest politely that in the future, please do not take to task the people that are here taking the time trying to help you. They, and I, were confused by your posts so we needed some clarification. It was not ridicule it was just that some of what was typed out did not make sense when reading it. When one states that they are "out in the open" for most of us that means outside.....unless you say it is an "open kitchen" and then we realize it is inside.
@panini statement was valid in that you live on the coast so YES halibut will be on a majority of menus as well as charity goers are MAJOR foodies as they have the expendable income to go out to high end restaurants and give to charities which, if you are in New York, means you better get your game face on lady cuz New York is a Michelin star-studded city! Those guys think way outside the box and far beyond chicken legs and nut-encrusted fish......just a heads up. (and not that those don't taste good....just not a high end meal is all)
I sincerely wish you al the best and I am sure you will figure out what is best for you. Cheers /img/vbsmilies/smilies/smile.gif