Posted by Sherry on May 03, 1997 at 09:27:37 :
In Reply to: How to price for food.....just starting out posted by BOOH on May 02, 1997 at 16:34:35 :
I've been catering for 8 years (out of my home) and that is still the biggest problem I face. When it comes to cakes, pies, etc. I charge around $20-22 for cheesecakes and other cakes from $15.00-$20.00. I don't really know how I come up with that but I usually figure someone would have to make $2.00 and Up for a piece of cake in a restaurant.
My business luncheons seem to only work out to 3 1/2 times cost, but when I do cocktail parties (I only do the finger foods--no booze) I sometimes make 6-9 times cost.
I don't like doing small parties anymore because it just doesn't seem worth it--as much work as larger party but not near the profit.
I would love to talk to anyone else who caters from there own homes (we don't have the overhead) I'm sure that makes a difference in markup.