Help With Charity Auction Food Please

codydec2005

Hi, i am looking into holding a charity auction for CRUK. We have just been to see our first venue and it has given us plenty of food for thought (please note we have never organised anything like this before) The venue can hold 300 people comfortably and they are offering a 3 course carvery for £13per head. It is an extensive menu and fab - don't get me wrong, but i didn't see my event including a full sit down meal?? Obviously this isn't the only option the venue have but i just want to know what kind of food we should be serving?? We currently don't have a theme, we are in the very early stages of planning and ideas of "Cupcake and Cocktails" and "Treats and Trifles" had floated around..... but then after speaking to the venue we were wondering if cupcakes would cut it. I know the venue are just out to make money so of course will oush the bigger options, but all his options were sit down mealy types.... is that what would be expected??? We were thinking something small to come out after the main auction had finished?? I know all the venues we are going to look at would offer a cold finger buffet but often they are just as expensive.
The venue charge £950 for the hire of 3 rooms but if we took the £13 per head (£3900 for 300) carvery that is wavered and comes for free, and if i charged £20 per ticket (£6000) that would cover it so would that be okay???
Wow, i never thought the food at the event would be the bit i lost sleep over haha. I'm hoping once seen a couple other venues who will all have their own ideas/suggestions i will get a better idea of what i want.
Many Thanks.

Savvy_Sue

The only charity auctions I've ever been two (for two different organisations) have both included a sit down meal. You do need people sitting down for the auction itself to ensure bids can be seen: we've always eaten first and bid later (perish the thought that we're mellowed by the wine and good food :rotfl: )

However, these were fairly simple meals: curry / casserole / rice kind of thing.

Don't suppose the venue will let you bring in outside caterers?

ktflosspot

I agree with Sue. A bit of nice food and plenty of drink flowing relaxes people before the bidding starts.People really do need to be seated for the bidding & I'd suggest a couple of people floating about to keep their eye at the back for hands that the auctioneer may not spot straight away Where abouts are you ? If they would let you bring outside caters in then again I agree with Sue about curry / casserole / rice or try a HotPot supper if in NW . Can't remember PPH but I had one for my 30th ( NOT THAT LONG AGO LOL ! ) only 2 courses but folk seemed to enjoy it. Best of luck with your event. What are you auctioning ? ( I'm soooo bloomin nosey LOL ) xx

codydec2005

We are in cumbria, i am also it along side my 30th (in 2014!!) So we got plenty time and also means have no idea what be auctioning yet. Just starting to put lists together of who to contact. Im pretty sure any of the venues be happy to put anything on for us, we really were just unsure what would be expected more than anything. So if i started event about 7, then feed, then auction you think i'm on the right lines???? i never put this much thought into my wedding haha

codydec2005

also, would half 6 be too early to start the event??? many people arrive late so to get every one in and seated etc and food out at half 7?????

spixplay

I have done 3 auction related events for charity the 1st one was just an auction and very badly attended, so a few years later I did a ball with silent auction people came ate drunk and the auction lots were put up around the venue we had a disco and kept reminding people to bid and closed bidding at 11pm we made £2000 on the auction.

codydec2005

Aw, fab. We have plans for lots of little games, silent auctions, we have a photographer who is going to set up a booth and take a percentage of the sales. After doing some market research (mainly asking people at work) we think we are going to go for this venue but just have a set 3 course meal, soup, beef dinner, choc pud - only variance being for vegetarians, should keep costs down nicely doing it that way, so off to see if we can sign on the dotted line next week .... fingers crossed and thanks xx

Savvy_Sue

A 6.30 start sounds a bit early to me, but it partly depends what night of the week it is and where your 'audience' is coming from - on a weeknight it wouldn't give people time to go home and change, would it? but if people are coming from a long way around on a weekend, and have long ways to go home afterwards, then an early start / early finish is quite good.

I think we 'start' half an hour before we expect to start eating.

For finish, remember that you'll have to clean up afterwards, so keep it tight ... if you can!

Maysie

Does the venue have rooms for people to stay over if needed? You might be able to get an % back or a preferable rate if they book and mention the auction just a thought.

codydec2005

it is a saturday night, i think most people will be local so im thinking 7pm, we might have to put a bus on for that venue due to location, that cud pick up 6.30?? the hotel has rooms so will definatly look into that. we are off the see an alternative venue tonight, bit closer to the town centre... but i have a feeling could cost a bit more though, never know til ask though, and finally lined up to see a central located hotel in town tomorrow to see what they have to offer. location wise would be simpler but i think the 1st venue just has a lot more going for it???

codydec2005

well,1st venue hiked there price up by 10 pound a head last min so now waiting for a price from 2nd venue so know where i stand :S