I’m loving smoking and cooking low and slow on my new Akorn grill. So much, that I want to move up to a ceramic one. My idea was to cook and sell bbq to others for a reasonable price. So, I was thinking of cooking a 10# Boston Butt naked, rubbed with Strawberry’s Seasoning (Grandmaster Champion mix) or Bad Byron’s Butt Rub. The butt would be smoked with Hickory. After it is done, the rub will be wrapped to cool, then later pulled and seasoned, again. I would pack it in an aluminum foil tray and cover with foil for pick-up. One tray will feed 15 “normal” adults. I’m thinking about asking $40 for it. Later on, I might venture into whole chickens, leg quarters, and whole turkeys, but for now, I’m sticking with butts. Again, not trying to make a killing, just share my passion with others while saving a few dollars for fishing and grilling upgrades. Any thought, ideas, or potential orders for New Year’s or Bowl Games would be appreciated.
“The problem that infuriates you the most is the one you are meant to solve.”
You can build one from a 55 gal drum (“ugly drum smoker”) or build one from brick/cinderblock. A cinderblock one will work well for a start and you can give thought to a self-contained model from Cabela’s or such.
Better talk to someone who caters. By the time you get the requisite licenses, site approval for “kitchen,” insurance, etc. you may find operating as a business to be prohibitive. JMHO
Better talk to someone who caters. By the time you get the requisite licenses, site approval for “kitchen,” insurance, etc. you may find operating as a business to be prohibitive. JMHO
Marsha
35 Contender
X2 You will have to have a DHEC approved kitchen complete with fire suppression that meets the marshals codes. Then you can get your business license from the city. If you plan to build your DHEC approved kitchen at your house you had better not have any pets. Once you get DHEC approval you will sign a form allowing them to enter your property at any time they want. Taxes on all sales made with your business license will be due by the 20th of every month. If late a penalty will be added. You will need to establish tax free purchases with your food provider so that you don’t end up paying taxes twice on your product. Then you can figure out a good price for your product. If you are lucky you may begin to turn a profit after about 4 to 5 years. There is good reason so many restaurant/ catering business fail in the first 3 years. It can work but it ain’t easy. If you are serious I would be glad to discuss more details with you.
I own The Pampered Palate. We are a full service catering company here in Charleston on Wappoo road in West Ashley. The rules and regs are a pain in the a*& to deal with at times. Believe it or not there are even more rules when it comes to smoking and BBQ. When we started our company we certainly did not have all the requirements. If we had we would not be in business today. I have owned the company for 8 years now and learn of new regs every year. That being said a three time mark up is traditional in food sales as a general rule. If it costs 15 dollars for you to buy it, try to sell it for 45. This should cover your time, wood used, etc. Hope this helps and pm me if you have any other specific questions.
I’m going to smoke 30#s of butts on this Wednesday. I will be giving out bags to my neighbors for Christmas gifts. If anyone would like a free sample, PM me and we’ll work something out for pick-up. Merry Christmas!
“The problem that infuriates you the most is the one you are meant to solve.”
I’m no expert, but I do love to cook on the grill/smoker. Try some Pecan wood instead of the hickory, very good taste, sometimes the hickory is overpowering. Just a thought!
Government must be reigned in. For such a hands off, republican state, some municipalities are way out of hand. Try and build a home in the city of Rock Hill, and you’ll be bogged down with more mindless bullschit you won’t be able to see straight. I’m all for sound structures and not getting sick when I eat b-ba-que but this is out of hand. I have 2 homes, and primarily live in Charlotte, NC, but have a home on the SC coast, and I refuse to get an NC drivers liscence. It’s a nightmare I’ll not endure.
. After a whole lot of thinking, I’ll just being giving away special gifts to friends whenever I’m in the smoking mood.