Topic: Buying in teas (Read 33574 times)

steiner · « **on:** January 26, 2014, 11:40:35 PM »

Just wondering if anyone had any experience this? Played a couple of teams that obviously bought their teas in from outside caterers, not a club tea lady but as in purchase externally (if that makes sense!)

Anyone else do this or done so in the past and what sort of service/price was involved?

cheers

Cumbrian Pete · « **Reply #1 on:** January 26, 2014, 11:45:41 PM »

Usually ridiculously expensive unless you strike lucky and find someone who will do it because they enjoy the afternoon at the cricket club and / or have a relative playing in the side. We are given a �30 budget to take it in turns making teas which is a bit of a stretch to put it mildly. The best quote we had last season for an outside caterer was �120 for one match, delivery only, no service.

Gingerbusiness · « **Reply #2 on:** January 26, 2014, 11:51:33 PM »

We split the teas up per player. Each player brings a different thing.

That way we get a good mix and the players match fee is discounted by �3.

Although it's a bit annoying as the skipper always gets 'crisps' and the 2s call up gets 'scones, cream and jam'.

Last year he told me I could bring strawberries and cream... Good luck with that on �3 for a minimum of 28! Livid!

steiner · « **Reply #3 on:** January 26, 2014, 11:56:02 PM »

Ha yeah we are lucky to have a good bunch who all do their bit.

Was considering it from the other side actually - have a couple of catering gigs that are picking up and the other half owns a cafe. With my main job (assessing) possibly drying up later in the year was thinking of starting to expand into other avenues.

Possibly end of season bashes may be a better start? Anyone get any catering for those at all?

mattcoll12491 · « **Reply #4 on:** January 27, 2014, 12:14:27 AM »

We have a solid base of lady volunteer's for the kitchen, who do their jobs for free. So the players' fees (�4.00) can go on other things.

Number 11 · « **Reply #5 on:** January 27, 2014, 01:59:37 AM »

I buy the makings and the usual 3 or 4 others help make it. All the others that always turn up late and don't help end up doing the washing up.

I find that when we've been playing away, the best teas are catered by the players and wives. Sometimes it can cost a little more then usual but that's fine as the teas are worth it.
What I really hate are the "professionally" catered teas. Sandwiches brought in or paid staff to supply and make. These are usually really expensive, bland and not very much to eat at all. Some clubs seem to think the charge for teas should be supplementing their matches, we don't. We have a good spread with an average spend of �35 and charge �40. No ones ever complained

So do it yourself ensures you keep costs down, get a good spread of what you like and no one goes hungry.

steiner · « **Reply #6 on:** January 27, 2014, 02:10:12 AM »

So bland as some brought in ones may be, there is a market there for some clubs?

DiscoStu · « **Reply #7 on:** January 27, 2014, 04:15:04 AM »

The margins are a bit thin unless you can do more than 1 club on any given day. The most you can probably charge for 1 match (2 dozen or so people) would be 60 quid and the vast majority of teams would baulk at 50 quid. Even with a good supplier you are still looking at costs of over 20 quid minimum. Therefore your absolute max. Return would be 35 quid before fuel and other costs but more likely to be 25 pounds. It's going to be around 2 hours work if not more prepping the food, setting up and serving it and tidying up. So unless you can do more than 1 match then it becomes uneconomic.

This is done off guesswork but the only times I see outside caterers do amateur matches is when they have a chance to sell to the watching spectators.

steiner · « **Reply #8 on:** January 27, 2014, 04:22:55 AM »

I would agree actually, although being based among a high concentration of clubs helps. Like you say the margins make it of little real value.
I'm thinking of looking towards end of season bashes though - bigger numbers and probably likely to lead to more gigs through wor of mouth if the spread is eye catching enough.

toenails97 · « **Reply #9 on:** January 27, 2014, 07:26:07 AM »

There's a rather nice cafe/food place on the other side of the pub where customers can go through and order a meal whilst sipping a pint, so they tend to hustle us up our cricket teas for �2.50 each

GarrettJ · « **Reply #10 on:** January 27, 2014, 08:51:05 AM »

you lot are lucky ........... no teas for us from our team

siridurrani · « **Reply #11 on:** January 27, 2014, 09:04:08 AM »

It is around �50 quid. I've done some out sourcing of teas before.

Or you just go to KFC and get a few bargin buckets

Buzz · « **Reply #12 on:** January 27, 2014, 09:38:20 AM »

We have to outsource out teas. It is an on-going expensive nightmare.

just make them. get a rota and man up (or bribe the Mrs to help...)

TangoWhiskey · « **Reply #13 on:** January 27, 2014, 10:09:50 AM »

We make our teas and the team selector usually has to beg someone to volunteer, else he just has to force someone. Our budget is �35 and to be honest the quality varies wildly. When I'm up for tea I'll usually spend an extra tenner as I don't think you can get enough out of �35 for 22-25 people, however some people in the club think otherwise.

The Chairman's wife will spend upwards of �80 and puts on a magnificent spread. One of the guys will literally only bring jam sandwiches that aren't even cut in half and another one will pay �40 for a tray of sandwiches from Gregg's which won't feed everyone there, but he refuses to spend more or make it himself.

So basically it goes from the sublime to the downright embarrassing. We have had the odd occasion where the visiting team as down right refused to pay for the tea and in all honesty both times I have been in total agreement with them.

The Palmist · « **Reply #14 on:** January 27, 2014, 10:19:15 AM »

Rota works fine for us. Some players keep the profit and some donate all proceeds to club. Quality does vary a bit but it is not too bad. The main problem we have in our league is that a lot of players don't buy anything. Hence it is very unwise to spend too much on arranging teas.

Author Topic: Buying in teas (Read 33574 times)

steiner

Buying in teas

Cumbrian Pete

Re: Buying in teas

Gingerbusiness

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steiner

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mattcoll12491

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Number 11

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steiner

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DiscoStu

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steiner

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toenails97

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GarrettJ

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siridurrani

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Buzz

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TangoWhiskey

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The Palmist

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