Cost of Evening meal?

[hankyspanky]

I have been asked by my lodger if I can provide an evening meal, 5 days a week. As I cook anyway this won't be a problem, but what do I charge?
I cook good quality food such as chilli, roast chicken etc.
Do I charge per meal or a flat cost per week?
I've no idea what is a fair price.
I would say my food is restaurant quality and is always served with the relevant side dishes. For instance a curry would come with rice, nan, a vegetable dish, onion bhaji and dips.
Please advise me.

[OutragedFromLeeds]

You need to work out how much it costs you to produce and then add on a little bit for your work.

I would charge a flat fee per week, just because it's easier and you can add it on to the rent.

[Mrsgrumble]

Could you charge seven per night?

[Middleagedmotheroftwo]

Will it be the same as what everyone else is eating? If so, I would say a fiver, tops. But if it's someone whose business is paying, and who'd otherwise go to a restaurant, you could get away with more.

[NotTheKitchenAgainPlease]

I'd say a fiver per meal is reasonable.

[NotTheKitchenAgainPlease]

But not if it's really good steak or something expensive. Obv

[SoonToBeSix]

I would charge £4 a night or £25 a week that is based on the fact I can easily cook a family meal for £1- £1.50 per person.

[MaryWestmacott]

If your cooking for everyone else anyway, how much do you think your bills will go up by? I'd say a fiver a night, add a bit more on for the store cupboard stuff like herbs and spices, stick cubes, rice etc, so £30 a week.

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

I would say £30 a week too. What will you do if you aren't there, if you have a day out or something? The cost should cover the commitment as well as ingredients etc.

[Realitybitesyourbum]

I would say more. If he is getting an allowance from work then he may pay you and keep the difference. Maybe do a thread on what peoples dinner allowance is when they or their husbands work away from home. When I worked away, I had I think £20 a night for dinner and £6 for breakfast.
If I were you I would charge £10. After all, you don't want to be doing it just for cost, you want to be making money from it, otherwise it isn't worth your time, is it? It's irrelevant whether or not you would be making it anyway, it is more work, even if it's a little more work! It would prob cost you £4 , so make a profit! If he says yes, then it's fine, if he says no, then drop a pound or two.