Need Opinions on Prices

[NoShame_Gamma]

I need your opinion on prices for a food sale...

Our best fundraisers have proven to be food sales such as enchilada plates, quesadilla plates, etc. Usually we make anywhere between $175-$300 each sale. For our next sale, we want to sell Tamales. My question is how much would you pay for a tamale?

When we've made them for ourselves, we've made chicken, beef, and cheese. However, the chicken and beef taste the same with the sauce so we'll probably just make cheese and chicken. Anyway, how much would you pay for a Delicious, Home-Made, Tamale? In the past we've charged $4.50 for entree, rice, and beans (people here go crazy for authentic home made food). Suggestions, questions?????

Thanks in advance!

[StarDust7381]

but what is a tamale?

I don't know what an average meal price is there but hot damn... $4.50 is such a bargain for a meal! since you have the clientele base already and peopel love your cooking I'd say $6-7 a plate would be VERY reasonable. especially when you figure in the cost of food products, time, and energy expended. When you eat at restaurants, the average meal including tip and tax is usually about $10/person(well average college person). I love home cooking and your food sounds VERY yummy. I would even pay $8...but i dont' reccommend that price coz people tend to be cheapskates...but you COULD have a bucket w a sign that said "donations greatly appreciated" & a blurb about what the money will be used for.

how do you advertise or get people interested? see if any local businesses/restuarants will be a sponsor for you and donate either money or goods or services. With that extra money, u could pass out coupons for something ie, free dessert from a local shop, gift cert for treat, OR have raffles at the event for a few larger prizes like gift cards to the mall or to a restaurant, or a basket with goodies. (I'm going into advertising & marketing...can u tell? lol)

Good luck to you!!

[NoShame_Gamma]

How do I describe a tamale??????? I'll do my best!

It's like a complicated burrito. Instead of tortillas, you use a certain type of dough aka "masa" (made of corn/maize). You spread it on a corn husk (that has been soaked overnight to become flexible). Then you put the meat with the sauce or some thick slices of cheese (usually mozzerella -sp?). The cheese ones usually have a slice of jalapeno for extra flavor. Then you wrap up the corn husk and place it in a huge pot where they have to be steamed. They take a couple hours to cook, but the hardest part is spreading the "masa" on the corn husk.

Anybody have a better way of explaining it? They really are delicious! They are usually served on special ocassions because of the length of time it takes to prepare them. However, we wanted to sell them during rush/recruitment week because it takes place right before the 15th/16th of September (which is the Independence day for most Latin American countries).

I hope this isn't too confusing

[NoShame_Gamma]

By the way, you don't eat the corn husk. You unwrap it when it's cooked and the "masa" is kind of like the tortilla. You usually need a fork (sometimes a knife) to eat it.

[StarDust7381]

that sounds quite elaborate! as well as delicious. I'm assuming you guys probalby have a good clientele base who have been coming to your fundraising dinners. I'd say for all the time and effort and the quality of the food you're providing that $7 is definetely reasonable for a meal. maybe $7.50

yummy.....oh my tummy