Help estimating pounds needed

If you did strict math and disregarded personal tastes,etc.

There seems to be a feeling that sliders contain +/- 2 ounces each.

Most cooks feel lucky to yield 50% from raw bone in butts.

If chickens used 2 oz per slider.
3 # lb chickens yield +/- 16 oz cooked meat[33%]


Some cooks may go with 10% extra raw weight to be sure they are covered.

Thanks Tom - that info is exactly what I needed! I will be doin my math and will go with the 10% more. I am sure the extra left overs if any, won't go to waste.

Vicki: have enjoyed your attitude and your willingness to try things since you acquired your SM025. That aside, I am wondering why you would include a taco bar with wonderful smoked pork and chicken.

The menu was not my doing. Nuf said

As they questioned the taco bar above-I understand.You get a committee come up with menus. You will learn your technique for "gracefully bending" the head of the food committee to your logic.

If there is a large proportion of maybe" dieting ladies" ,they may try to give them a salad out.A suggestion from you could be a premade Chef's salad,etc and they could add a little of your fine chicken.Instead of taco bar-there are fine layered taco salds-where you could even incorporate your bbq meats.You see a lot of those down in bbq country.

You suggestion could be that you are offering three "meats" and folks typically consume about 5 oz ? of the meat total.

You are offering three sides and folks generally consume one cup sides total-whatever the combo.You didn't mention breads or desserts.

If they serve themselves,you could wind up with 7-8 dabs of food by the time they hit the end of the buffet line.

We often find with a bbq meal offering two meats and beans,potato salad,slaw,macaroni salad and a little dessert.They take the meat,half the people will skip the bread-if they can,a little beans and potato salad,and a little dessert.All the rest winds up in the trash.

If the vegetable soup is there for vegetarians,replace the slaw with a tossed salad.They can still have a nice salads meal.

Just a couple thoughts from someone who has tossed out a lot at the end.

Just a little experience, when they allow you some input.

If they are set in the menu,hopefully other folks are bringing the rest of the menu.Be sure to have some take out containers for their dinner,as you may have plenty to go.

Not your menu? Hey, it's your food.

Smoke the ingredients for the taco's at least

Doing pulled chicken?

Baby steps Smokin. My pulled pork and chicken will be a hit I'm sure. Then next time they will be begging for more

Can always use the pork and chicken for the taco fillers. Just a thought