New costing tool automatically updates and works out detailed financial information for hosting events and functions
With Christmas fast approaching, Pelican, the supply chain management specialist, has launched Piranha™ Functions: an online menu-costing tool that automatically calculates the cost of food per head, profit margins, labour costs and other financial data related to hosting functions, using ‘live’ prices from suppliers.
Developed for the hospitality, education and care sectors, the Piranha™ Functions module enables chefs and catering managers to quickly calculate financial data for an event, without having to use manual spreadsheets.
By simply adding the number of covers, menu items, labour costs and other associated fixed costs, (such as venue hire) the system enables managers to understand all the costs of hosting a function including the function’s profit. The system then allows you to vary any parameter to assess the impact of changes made.
Shabaz Mohammed, Managing Director of Pelican Procurement Services said: “With the festive season upon us, it’s a hugely busy time for chefs who have to prepare for many parties, events and functions. Our new Piranha™ Functions system provides a very quick way to work out the finances related to a function using live food and beverage pricing data. Chefs and catering managers can now do away with inflexible static spreadsheets, and instead use a dynamic tool that lets them instantly determine the exact cost of a function, with complete ease, removing the stress at this very busy time of the year.”
Another advantage is that it provides users with the ability to download a ‘sign-off sheet’ featuring all the costs along with income and profit expectation. In addition, the system also provides a ‘shopping list’, which lists products required and their relevant suppliers.
In addition to the Functions module, the menu-costing system also provides live allergen and nutritional information for each dish. From 13 December 2014, legislation comes into force, which requires food operators to provide details of any allergens contained within a dish, on request.
For more information regarding Pelican’s range of services or to arrange a demonstration of the new Piranha™ system and the Functions module, telephone 01252 705 222 or visit www.pelicanprocurement.co.uk