How to cost out foods for catering

Dimple's Mom

I'm going to actually give it a go. I'm going to try my hand at catering. So.....if I'm not mistaken, a couple year ago there was someone on here who posted a spreadsheet type of thing to show how to cost out food that you make for catering types of purposes. Does anyone have that or know who it was or have anything similar? Or maybe can just steer me to some info on that topic. Thanks!

FlaPoolman

I think that was Pete,,,,Celtic Wolf. He also had good info about licensing and health dept. regulations

Richard Fl

Here is something I found a few years ago.

http://www.azbbqa.net/catering/

Car Wash Mike

On Ray Bassos forum there is a great guide. A guy by the name of Mike put it together. Not me. OAILYVM. Good luck catering.

Mike

DrZaius

The best thing that you can do for starting a catering or restaurant business is to pick up an essential book that covers COSTS better than anything I have found. The book is "The Professional Chef" by The Culinary Institute of America. I have the seventh edition
(2007) but there may be a more recent edition. It covers all from meat fabricating to costs involved and considered. A great book.

Unknown

As mentioned, The Professional Chef is a good reference. Very technical. The book I used to start my catering business was The Professional Caterer's Handbook by Lora Arduser & Douglas Brown. It covers everything from food ordering to insurances with a lot of websites to check.
Good Luck!

Dimple's Mom

I couldn't really find it on the site, but I think you must be talking about the same one that is mentioned in the post above. That's the one I had seen a few years back. Thanks!

Dimple's Mom

Thanks, Everyone! I've contacted Peter, downloaded Mike's spreadsheet, and ordered both the Professional Chef and The Professional Caterer's Handbook.

You guys are the greatest!