Achura's Guide to Feeding a Crowd — Catering Tips for Big Events
Feeding a large group is one of the most rewarding things you can do as a host — but it requires planning. Whether you're organising a corporate event, a wedding or a big backyard party, the difference between a great event and a stressful one comes down to preparation.
At Achura Meat Market — your local butcher on Sydney's Northern Beaches — we've catered for events of all sizes. Here's everything we've learned about feeding a crowd the Argentine way.
## How Much Meat Do You Need?
This is the question everyone gets wrong. People consistently underestimate how much meat a large group goes through at a proper asado.
As a general guide:
- **Casual BBQ:** 300-400g per person
- **Proper asado with multiple cuts:** 500-600g per person
- **Big eaters or long afternoon:** 700g+ per person
For 50 people, that means planning for 25-35kg of meat total. It sounds like a lot — but you'd rather have too much than run out.
## The Right Cuts for a Large Group
Not all cuts are equally practical when you're feeding 50+ people. Here's what works best at scale:
**Asado de tira (beef short ribs)**
Perfect for large groups because they're forgiving — they stay warm and juicy long after they come off the grill. Cook them low and slow for 60-75 minutes and serve them as they come off.
**Vacío (flank steak)**
Another excellent large group cut. The fat cap keeps the meat moist even if it rests for a while before serving. Plan one vacío per 4-5 people.
**Entraña (skirt steak)**
Cooks fast and is universally loved. Great for feeding a crowd quickly. Allow one entraña per 3-4 people depending on size.
**Chorizos**
Non-negotiable for a large group. Get them on the grill early as the starter — they cook fast, smell incredible and keep guests happy while the main cuts take their time. Allow 2 chorizos per person.
## The Logistics of a Large Asado
**Grill space is everything.** For 50+ people you need serious grill space. A standard kettle BBQ won't cut it — you need a parrilla or multiple large grills running simultaneously. This is something Achura handles when we cater — we bring the right equipment for the size of your event.
**Stagger your cooking.** Don't try to cook everything at once. Start with the slow cuts — asado de tira and vacío — and add faster cuts like entraña and chorizos closer to serving time.
**Have a timeline.** Work backwards from when you want to eat. If dinner is at 7PM, your asado de tira needs to go on at 5PM. Your entraña goes on at 6:40PM. Your chorizos go on at 6:30PM.
**Rest your meat.** Even when feeding a crowd, don't skip resting. 5 minutes of resting makes a significant difference to juiciness and tenderness.
## Let Achura Handle It
If the thought of cooking for 50+ people feels overwhelming — let us do it for you.
Achura Meat Market offers full asado catering for large events across Sydney's Northern Beaches and beyond. We bring the equipment, the cuts and the experienced asadores. You focus on your guests.
We've catered for corporate events, weddings and private parties of all sizes. Get in touch and we'll put together a quote tailored to your event.
📍 U4/722 Pittwater Rd, Brookvale — Northern Beaches Sydney
🌐 achura.com.au/pages/events
📱 0499 604 014