How much would you pay for this meal?

[Movinghouseatlast]

I run a holiday cottage business and I offer a bit meal awaiting their arrival for them to serve themselves. I don't do it to make a profit, more as a USP to get bookings as I think people might appreciate it after a long drive. However, I spend a bit of time cooking and shopping (and stressing!) so want some profit for that.

It is beef in red wine stew or lamb shanks in red wine or pie (steak, chicken or vegan mushroom) with mash and minted pea puree. Followed by chocolate brownie with salted caramel sauce and clotted cream. It is all homemade, local organic/ free range meat etc.

How much would you pay?

I'm registered with the council to cook food and have all the certificates.

Thanks!

Could you offer a cold option for £10 pp? I’d be more inclined to pre-order that if I wasn’t sure of my arrival time as I’d be sure it was fresh. A mushroom pie and mash that might end hanging around whilst I was stuck in traffic has zero appeal. We went to the Lakes recently and the hotel offered sandwiches/ploughman’s to pre-order and it was great because we weren’t sure of our arrival time (ended up being about 9.30pm). Wine as an optional extra would also be a must.

I wouldn't take you up on the offer despite the food sounding delicious. I would rather dump my bags and go to the pub.
I would like stuff for breakfast though such as bacon, eggs and freshly baked bread.

We stayed somewhere several years ago that did catering in a similar way.
All dishes served 4, I think fish pie with vegetable accompaniments was about £15,
steak and ale pie with mashed potatoes and vegetables was £20
Homemade cakes were £5-6

I wouldn't want this at all. I'm sure it's delicious but it just doesn't appeal to me at all.
I might go for a selection of bread, cheese, cold meat etc though if it was good quality

We’d use it for arrival day definitely. If you made it three courses with a soup to start, £20 -£22 a head would be very reasonable. Two courses £17 maybe. Pubs would usually be £15 for a main and £6.50 for pudding but you’re paying for service and ambience then as well.

I personally would love this, what a great idea - I would pay £15 ph

Your food sounds amazing but I’m veggie and would want options and would want to go out not stay in and would either go to pub / take away or bring food personally
People don’t read info/ small print in packs and London/ city folks would expect Corner shops takeaways up be available

One of the best self catered places we've rented (a luxury coastal Italian holiday home) had fresh bread, pasta, sausages, bread, coffee, wines & pastries on arrival (complimentary) which lasted us 2/3 meals. We even had complimentary fresh pastries delivered mid way through the week which lasted another 2 days - we were only there for one week! Suffice to say, we were very impressed with the service. I'm guessing that they had costed it within the weekly rental so it wasn't really free but we definitely appreciated it.

I think £15 each would be reasonable: we're rural, and our nearest pub stops doing food at 8- I think the latest kitchen closure time within an hour's drive is 9pm. And corner stores/takeaways (Rural home counties)

The taking delivery of supermarket shop is an amazing service - always take that as an option when it's available. Also the breakfast for the first day - these little touches would exponentially make me pick one rental above another.

I think its a nice idea, and the cream tea and breakfast things sound great too. re the evening meal if all you want to do is cover costs I think you should work out how much the ingredients cost you and how long you spend preparing the meals and charge that. As I would still have to heat, serve and clear up afterwards I wouldnt expect to pay the same as if I ate it in a pub or restaurant, so maybe about 10 to 15 per head. How much have you been charging?

I would most definitely do this on the night of arrival, especially after a long journey. I don't know many places where you can get a two course good, organic home cooked meal for £15. Something basic in a fryer, yes, but not organic lamb shanks. I think £15 is very conservative.

In a nice pub, a similar two course meal would be much more than that, plus wine/drinks on top. I'm assuming you leave a bottle of wine in your welcome pack OP? I only say that because I think every cottage we've stayed in has.

I'd take that for £15 a head in a heartbeat, sounds absolutely lovely.

We loved this when it was us and a newborn. We could have a delicious meal at the holiday cottage without worrying about going anywhere. It would definitely suit some people.

I would pay £8-10 pp for a main. We aren't really pudding eaters so would probably want a 'main only" option.

I charge £20 for 2 people at the moment which I have been thinking is too little. I was thinking of £30 so that seems about right.

Thanks for all the comments!

I wouldn't be interested either, we're quite happy to organise our own food and drink and would rather go out or get takeaway.

I think you should work on the basis of cost of ingredients - adding in all your time including the cost of gas/ electric and add 100%.
Then apply . Gosh I’d like to stay in your holiday cottage . Any dog friendly ones ? I’d happily pay £15 for a two course meal like that .

I think save the stress and leave a meat / cheese board..nice bread. Won't cost you much.

I'd say £12 for one course and £3 for dessert and offer them separately. It's a nice idea and something we've done on holidays abroad but cost usually includes serving up.

I would consider the meat and cheese board but your meal isn't something any of us would choose on a pub menu, sorry.

This is for adults I guess not young children as the menu is not what many kids would eat. Sounds nice for meat eaters. I'd say £12-15 a head (but only if you change the sauce. Salted caramel is horrible!).

I think the price is about right. In a pub it would be about thirty odd quid, but with that you get served etc and you don't need to wash up your own plates, plus, no offence but it's made by an actual chef, and the food hygiene ratings are available. Maybe go up to 12 quid a head, that seems reasonable.

It is a cottage for couples only.

To be honest, if it was just me and DH, this would be lovely-it’s the kids I wouldn’t pay that much for as they would end up not eating it!

£10/£15 a head sounds lovely. Where are you-I want to come Friday !!

If I was late or knackered I wouldn't want all that stodge (however lovely that stodge is). Also there's only one vegetarian option, pie and mash isn't something I'd choose to eat.

An essentials basket sounds a better idea.

Charge cost of the food plus 50% of that so you make a profit don't forget to calculate in electric and gas

Salted caramel sauce- Nigella's- is divine! I don't advertise it actually, I say Brownies and cream and the salted caramel is a bonus. Try it with Christmas pudding, it is truly glorious!