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Original poster

How much would you pay for this meal?

161 replies

Movinghouseatlast · 04/11/2019 15:52

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!

OP posts:
Notwiththeseknees · 04/11/2019 21:15

If you could market it as Drive up & Dine In, I would probably be happy to pay £20 per person if you included a bottle of wine.....

Arriving at a dark, cold cottage, then having to cook something on arrival is a rubbish way to start a break. I'd love to arrive to some lit lamps and a delicious meal, ready in the oven.

Also, lots of pubs stop taking food orders at 9 - 9.30 so this would take the pressure off finding somewhere decent to get a meal en route.

I think it's a great idea.

SnugglySnerd · 04/11/2019 21:21

BikeRunSki agreed it has made places a bit more imaginative. I just don't want fake cheese on my pizza/lasagne etc, give me the real thing!!

Bluntness100 · 04/11/2019 21:26

Op, maybe the answe is up the price and see how the uptake is and if you're happy with it?

To be fair, I'd not have an issue with the 30 quid, I'd wonder what kind of cook you were though and how hygienic you were, as said, home cooking for me is something very different to a pub or restaurant, and you're getting into those prices, I think people are saying yeah fab because the food sounds good.but I have to be honest and say I've met plenty of home cooks where I wouldn't pay to eat their food. Do you have reviews of the food? That would be helpful.

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HelloDulling · 04/11/2019 21:29

Sounds lovely, and something I would definitely do. £15, or £20 per head with a bottle of wine.

Sunflower20 · 04/11/2019 21:48

Sounds lovely. I'd pay £15-18.

Original poster
Movinghouseatlast · 04/11/2019 22:00

We are in Cornwall.
No-one has to accept or decline. It's just an optional service.
You aren't allowed to sell wine, so doing the hamper with wine isnt really an option!

OP posts:
dipstyque · 04/11/2019 22:02

Personally I'd bring a Cook meal for the first night, under £10 for two.
You're an "unknown" so I think I'd consider £10-12 per head.

Bofster37 · 04/11/2019 22:06

12 seems fair.

15 would be too much for me for just two courses.

lljkk · 04/11/2019 22:09

It's not clear to me that you've figured out what your costs would be to produce this meal, OP. I wanted to suggest £16-£17 for full adult portion.

adaline · 04/11/2019 22:20

It's a nice idea but I wouldn't take you up on it. I'm a bit funny about eating other people's home cooking!

SpiderCharlotte · 04/11/2019 22:23

Don't you ever eat out @adaline?

Thefemalekeithrichards · 04/11/2019 22:27

I think your idea is fantastic and I would happily pay at least £15.00 (bargain) for a delicious home made, nutritious, hot meal and easily better than the local pub - even if it was open / still serving ?? - I think it is a wonderful and unique idea you have had for people arriving late - for me it would be most welcome, well done for being so enterprising give it a go I am sure it will be really popular 🥰

whattodo2019 · 04/11/2019 22:27

Is your accommodation fairly high end? If so I think £15+ per person for convenience of a home cooked meal made from locally sourced produce is a great option.

msmith501 · 04/11/2019 22:38

I would want no more than a starter pack option of some basics and maybe a bottle of wine (as most villa rentals seem to do these days). I don't for one minute think that you providing a meal would be a USP. I'd prefer to either go out or need time to myself and a starter pack would achieve that.

CakeNinja · 04/11/2019 23:25

Not something we would use as we would either ditch our bags on arrival and head to to the nearest pub or, if it was going to be too late for the pub to be serving food we would have stopped on the way down.
However, I would pay up to £20 pp for a well cooked meal with a nice pudding.
Cheaper than a pub!

ginghambox · 05/11/2019 00:25

£20- 00 every day of the week. Good luck to you.

BiteyShark · 05/11/2019 07:08

I have been to some very nice cottages just for two adults and we always get a free hamper of goodies, wine and breakfast items as presumably it's factored into the overall cost.

I think the price of £15 is fine BUT I wouldn't actually want it myself. A ploughman's type buffet would potentially be tempting but arriving after a long drive for us means stopping on the way and eating OR finding the local pub. Putting hot food in the oven prepared by the owner just doesn't appeal as we would have no idea how good it would be and as you only offer a few choices we wouldn't want to be restricted.

MrsPellegrinoPetrichor · 05/11/2019 07:19

The cottages we go to usually have homemade scones, bread , jam and cream and cake- all home made. Most of them have an option of a meal or special celebration cake. £20 I think OP is fair. Good luck.

MrsPellegrinoPetrichor · 05/11/2019 07:27

Homemade X2 HmmGrin

VirtualHamster · 05/11/2019 07:32

I hate welcome packs - nothing says 'welcome' like a pile of food you can't eat (coeliac) and I hate the waste of food. An optional meal at least gives the option to decline. So many places don't specifically advertise a welcome pack so I can't ask them not to bother, then 'surprise' you with food you have to throw away.

MrsPellegrinoPetrichor · 05/11/2019 07:35

I hate welcome packs - nothing says 'welcome' like a pile of food you can't eat (coeliac) and I hate the waste of food

When we book we are asked about allergies.

Exp1etiveDeLighted · 05/11/2019 07:43

We don't have allergies but when we find a welcome pack I always think I'd rather have £20 off the rental cost and buy my own food.

SallyAnne89 · 05/11/2019 07:46

£15-£20 in a restaurant, £12-£16 in a pub, £10-£15 in your situation

wildhairdontcare · 05/11/2019 07:47

We arrived at a cottage recently to find the cupboards/fridge stocked with all basics and a welcome cake. No where had this been mentioned so we had done a full shop. Such a waste.

rookiemere · 05/11/2019 07:49

I really like a welcome pack with local specialities and anything we don't eat - like certain types of biscuits- will be taken home and used somehow.