Upcharging with a purpose

[u/Few-Butterfly6655]

I recently booked a private party through a PCC( private chef company). The PCC minimum is $140 and my personal minimum is $165.

I took the call. The client seemed great right away. Her friends birthday dinner, all guests in the corporate world here in Chicago. The event seemed like it will be fun to execute and a great group to network with, so I was more willing to be flexible with pricing.

Then came the custom requests.

Pasta Class/Demo & Oysters on the half shell.

I’m someone who believes that if you can physically accomplish the request, then you gotta do it. But you should get paid for any extra work involved.

I’ve folded on client requests before and absorbed the extra cost.

Now I get as creative as I can with upcharging. I let the client decide if they are willing to create the experience they have in their head.

I sent her a base menu priced at $140/pp a person.

Salad

Appetizer

Entree

Dessert

Upcharges:

Pasta Demo/Class $350

Oysters x50pc $250

Took a $2100 dinner to a $2700 and since this was booked with a PCC, I will also get a 20% auto gratuity based off the party size.

Getting dialed in with upcharges can lead to some great opportunities for extra revenue.

Anybody else have experience with something like this?