To provide samples or not? Pineapple Rum Sauce

[BlessedWifeMommy]

I'm doing an event Saturday night. I know there will be 250 people. I'm trying to decide if I should do samples. My thoughts are that it would bring people over to my table, but maybe too many at once?

My thought was to do the Pineapple Rum Sauce over Cream Cheese with crackers.

What is your experience with doing this?

[aalbert]

I did this at a booth, and people RAVED over it!

My only suggestion is cutting the cream cheese in half and only putting 1/2 or less out at a time. I had "spurts" of people at my booth, and times with nobody. I had to throw away quite a bit in hopes of keeping it looking "fresh".

[BlessedWifeMommy]

I did this at a booth, and people RAVED over it!

My only suggestion is cutting the cream cheese in half and only putting 1/2 or less out at a time. I had "spurts" of people at my booth, and times with nobody. I had to throw away quite a bit in hopes of keeping it looking "fresh".

Thank you for your reply! A few questions...

Did you have it out for them to serve themselves?

Did anyone order it?

[aalbert]

I put it on the bamboo platter, used the bamboo servers, and I did let people serve themselves. And yes, I did have a couple of orders, but mostly bookings from this booth. Alot of folks wanted to buy it from me right there at the table, but I didn't have any on hand, as it was new at the time, and I was just trying it. I directed them to my website to purchase it if they were not local. (if you have a few on hand that could really help) I had a drawing for a free cooking show, and $25 worth of free products. That sparked interest and drew the peps to my table :)

[aalbert]

P.S.

I also had Brownie Bites and Pecan Tassies.......just to lure them in......LOL!

IT WORKED!:D

[BlessedWifeMommy]

Thanks for the ideas. I like the idea of brownie bites too. Chocolate is always good!

[Saturday Gourmet]

I'm doing an event Saturday night. I know there will be 250 people. I'm trying to decide if I should do samples. My thoughts are that it would bring people over to my table, but maybe too many at once?

My thought was to do the Pineapple Rum Sauce over Cream Cheese with crackers.

What is your experience with doing this?

I have done this on several occasions and everytime it's a hit. At one show I sold 4 or 5 bottles. I always put mine out on the bamboo platter and serve with the spreader.

Since this is for a booth, I agree with aalbert-only do a small amount of cream cheese at a time. Also, for hygiene purposes, I would probably go ahead and smear some cream cheese on some crackers and put these around the edges of the platter. That way people can just grab one without touching a lot of stuff.

Either way, this is really good and such an easy way to allow them to taste it.

Good luck!

[BlessedWifeMommy]

Kelly, thanks for the suggestions.

I happen to have some bottles on hand and will plan to do them cash and carry. I don't usually have them but a friend placed an order to give them as gifts and said I could re-order them for her if they sell.

[chefann]

I'd ask, too, if you can do samples. Some fairs don't allow them because of health code.