Case Study $2$ : Create a Buffet Menu for $"$ La Casa Italiana" Function Centre

Brief

$"$La Casa Italiana" is a prestigious Italian function centre known for hosting various events, including weddings, corporate gatherings, and cultural celebrations. They want to design an Italian$-$themed buffet menu that reflects the richness of Italian cuisine and caters to the diverse tastes of their clientele. The centre is hosting a wedding reception with $150$ guests, where the couple desires an Italian buffet to showcase their Italian heritage.

You are required to design a buffet menu for the centre. The menu should be divided into sections to ensure a balanced and delightful dining experience:

Menu Item Selection

Each section of the buffet menu is carefully curated to offer a variety of flavors and options while staying true to Italian cuisine. Special attention is given to accommodate dietary restrictions, including vegetarian and gluten$-$free dishes.

Menu Item Description

Each menu item is described briefly and appealingly to give guests a sense of what to expect, enticing their taste buds.

Presentation and Design

The menu presentation includes a beautifully designed printed menu card that complements the event's decor and theme. Italian$-$themed graphics, fonts, and colors are used to enhance the aesthetic.

Final Review and Pricing

The final buffet menu is reviewed, and pricing is determined to fit within the client's budget while ensuring profitability for the function centre.

Follow above guidelines and create an Italian$-$themed buffet menu to provide a memorable dining experience for the wedding reception.

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Step $1$: Buffet Function Centre Concept

Category Organisational information

Venue name La Casa Italiana

Venue Theme Italian Function centre

Service style Buffet

Capacity $350$

Profile Category Demographic Information

Average Age $45$

Income level $90$K

Social $/$ Cultural background Majority of customers visiting this function centre for event lunches or dinners, appreciating the comfortable and professional ambiance. Italian cuisine is widely appreciated around the world. People from various cultural backgrounds visit Italian restaurants to explore and enjoy the flavours, ingredients, and traditions associated with Italian cooking.

Food preferences Demographic information

Dietary requirements

Vegans and Vegetarians: Italian cuisine offers a variety of vegetarian and vegan options, making it appealing to customers with dietary preferences.

Food preferences Italian menus often include a wide range of dishes, from pasta to pizza to seafood. This caters to a diverse customer base with different culinary preferences.

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Step $2$: Recipe Development and Cost Analysis

RECIPE COSTINGS

Create recipe costing sheets using attached template.

Perform the following steps to cost your developed menus:

$$ Itemise the proposed components of each dish.

$$ Calculate the food percentage based on your restaurant.

$$ Assess the cost$-$effectiveness of the dishes and select menu items that provide high yield.

$$ Detail all ingredients used to prepare the dish.

$$ Price the menu items to ensure maximum profitability, using appropriate methods to achieve the desired profit margins, mark$-$up procedures and rates.

$$ Calculate the portion yields and to determine the costs from raw ingredients

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Step $3$: Menu Design, Layout AND PRICES

La Casa Italiana

Buffet menu

Price:

Adults: $xx$.$xx

Children $($ages $6-12)$: $xx$.$xx

Children under $5$: free

$**$Starters and salads$**$

$1.[$salad name$]$

description: $[$brief description of the salad$]$

$2.[$salad name$]$

description: $[$brief description of the salad$]$

$3.[$starter name$]$

description: $[$brief description of the starter$]$

$**$Main courses$**$

$4.[$main course name$]$

description: $[$brief description of the main course$]$

$5.[$main course name$]$

description: $[$brief description of the main course$]$

$**$Sides$**$

$6.[$side dish name$]$

description: $[$brief description of the side dish$]$

$7.[$side dish name$]$

description: $[$brief description of the side dish$]$

$**$Desserts$**$

$8.[$dessert name$]$

description: $[$brief description of the dessert$]$

$9.[$dessert name$]$

description: $[$brief description of the dessert$]$

$$

Summary of menu costings

Menu

Buffet

Objective To calculate and summarise the costings of the designed menu

Menu Available for review Yes $/$ No

Does the dishes match the organisation$$s menu type, service style and cuisine?

Is the dish suitable for customer profile?

Is the dish unique to Cultural and ethnic influences of the target customers?

Does the dish match seasonal availability of raw materials?

Analyse the calculated selling prices and discuss whether they are competitive in the market, achieving the desired profit margin.