Renato, I do provide more in the way of condiments than many hosts, including eggs, bacon, fruit, juice, cereals, bread, cheeses, jams, nuts, crackers, a block of chocolate, milk, bottled water, a coke, a beer and I find it does pay off.......
I provide just enough cooking equipment to prepare some lightweight cooking including a small hotplate and a microwave, but I do not include an oven.
You are right in that food items can be provided cheaply, and although it looks like I provide a lot, the reality is it costs me very little. Cartons of Coke and Beer cost me nothing! Stores have a policy, if the carton gets dropped in the warehouse, it goes in the dumpster which is where I come in! Once cheeses get near their use by date or get a bit a bit pulled around in the display cabinet I get them for 30c up to 60c per cheese, bottled water for 10c per bottle. I spend less than $10 per guest night, and I would only approach that amount where I get that guest that leaves with the philosophy, "If the host has supplied it, it belongs to me"....and they take everything with them. That guest would be one in 20. Most guests will use something of what I supply but when they leave a considerable amount is left untouched for the next guest. Around 10% of guests consume or use nothing at all other than a tea bag or a spoonful of coffee.
So I would say my average cost of condiments would come to $7.50 per guest night, certainly not a major cost, and I get enjoyment out of doing it and the accolades it gets.
Cheers.........Rob
