When it comes to catering a large event, getting your meat order right is crucial. Whether it’s a wedding, a corporate function or a seasonal gathering, the success of your menu often depends on how well you’ve planned ahead. At Burts Catering Butchers, we work with chefs, hotels, restaurants, pubs and caterers across the UK, helping them serve delicious, high-quality meat dishes to their guests.

Planning your order doesn’t need to be complicated, but there are a few key things to get right from the start.

Consider the Type of Event

Every event has its own requirements. A formal, sit-down meal will need different quantities and cuts compared to an outdoor buffet or casual barbecue. If you’re serving plated meals, portions can be controlled more easily. Buffets, on the other hand, tend to require more generous quantities because guests often return for seconds.

It’s also important to consider the nature of the event. A lunchtime networking session might require lighter portions than an evening reception. Similarly, events with multiple courses or vegetarian options will affect how much meat you need overall.

Know Your Portions

Understanding how much meat to serve per person will help you avoid waste while making sure everyone is well-fed. As a general guide, here’s what we recommend:

For beef roasts or joints, allow around 200 to 250 grams per person. Chicken portions should be around 180 grams each, usually one large piece per guest. If you’re serving sausages or burgers, plan for two per person, depending on the size. For shredded meats like pulled pork or brisket, 150 to 200 grams per person is usually enough.

If you’re unsure, speak to our team and we’ll help you calculate exact quantities based on your event type and guest count.

Fresh or Frozen?

This choice depends largely on your kitchen’s storage capacity and your prep schedule. Fresh meat is ideal if the event is coming up quickly or if you’ll be prepping everything on the day. However, frozen meat offers flexibility for longer lead times and more unpredictable numbers.

At Burts, our meat is packaged to the highest standards. Whether you choose fresh or frozen, we use vacuum-sealed packaging that keeps everything in excellent condition. Our labelling system also helps kitchen teams stay organised during the busiest prep times. Find more about how we manage this by contacting us today.

Ordering in Good Time

When it comes to planning an event, timing is everything. Placing your meat order as early as possible helps ensure you get exactly what you need, especially if you require large quantities or bespoke cuts. Every kitchen and every event is different, so the earlier we can discuss your needs, the better positioned we’ll be to meet them.

We always encourage our clients to get in touch as soon as they know what they need. That way, we can advise on availability, prepare your order to your specifications, and organise delivery in a way that suits your schedule.

If you’re working to tight deadlines or have last-minute changes, it’s worth calling us directly. We’ll do everything we can to accommodate your request.

Communication is Key

The more information you can provide, the better your order will suit your needs. Let us know if you have specific serving suggestions in mind, need consistent portion sizing, or want meat prepared a certain way to save time in the kitchen. We’re not just here to deliver boxes; we work with chefs to make sure everything aligns with your menu and the way your kitchen operates.

Why Choose Burts for Your Next Event?

We understand that catering for events involves juggling a lot of moving parts. That’s why we’ve built our service around reliability, flexibility and quality. From our sustainable sourcing and dry-aged beef options to our hand-prepared sausages and bespoke cuts, we’re here to support your team in creating a fantastic dining experience.

Our clients trust us because we don’t just deliver great meat, we deliver consistency, professionalism and service that’s built for the catering industry. Learn more about us here.

To find out more or to discuss your next event order, get in touch with our team today. We’d be happy to advise on quantities, cut options and delivery schedules.