Any Tips for Hosting a Big Pampered Chef Party?

[ilovepc]

Hi everyone. First time posting my own thread. New consultant (40 days). I qualified in the first month through 4 catalog shows. Thanks to my dear friends. Now I am nervous,
Let me tell you why. My first cooking show is September 28th. The host is a long time friend that moved out of state. We (my family) were going up to visit other friends in her area and when I told her about it, she (who already told me that she would throw a party) said that would be a perfect time to have my party right! I said absolutely. I send her the host package, extra catalogs for outside orders, we discuss her host benefits, we pick a theme, she sends out the postcards, she also sends out invites through email but using a flyer I found on here. Super excited. She emails/sends 42 invites. Here is part of her email she sent me today.

"Wow. Pampered chef is pretty popular. I already have 19 for sure guests coming (that is including you, me and Olivia). Then I have about 8 maybe's. So if everyone that I think will be coming is coming, there will be 27 people total! Is that a lot? I hope not too much!
I better buy a lot of food and drinks! A couple of the people coming are also going to be bringing their "outside" orders from their mom's and stuff. So it probably will be a very succsessful party. "


My first show with that many people.. :sing::sing:

Any tips from you guys for such a big party? We are having 1 pot pasta (double recipe because she asked me to) and I am making a dessert to bring with me (Tiramisu Brownies) and then we are going to make a rice cooker hot lava cake. I have been using PC for such a long time (14 years) and had almost everything in the new consultant kit so I was thinking that I could set up some of the items (garlic press because we are not slicing the garlic, food chopper for the brocoilli and carrots (how do you spell brocolli?) and others can use the mandolin to chop. (Yes we will have different types of chopped veggies but it will be fine). This will to allow more people to test the tools. (By the way, the host totally wants interactive and told everyone that they would be particpating). What do you guys think of that?

Ive made the pasta dish 3 times and the brownies twice to practice.
Im nervous though still.

 

[Sheila]

My very first Cooking Show as a consultant had 22 guests. The host had a huge dine-in kitchen, but we couldn't get everyone in there. The chairs spread down the hall & into the living room.

At the time, I was doing the interactive shows where someone would get up and try a tool. Now I do the full interactive shows where I set up 2-3 workstations (6-8 people at each), give them the recipe and the tools & let them go to town. I walk from station to station to answer questions or suggest tips to help with the tool. So far, the guests LOVE being able to touch everything!!

I also do my own recipe cards and let everyone take home a card from each recipe that they tried that day. So even if they didn't get to work on the desert but liked it, they can now go home and make it.

Of course, I print my name, phone number, e-mail address & web page address on EVERY recipe card so that they can call or pop on-line and order a tool that they might need to make that particular recipe.

 

[GourmetGirl]

The biggest thing I have learned is to not get frustrated when everyone isn't listening to me. When there is a big party there are always side conversations. Try not to get too distracted by them and just continue. The people that want to hear are listening and that is what matters most. Plus when you stall to get everyone's attention the show takes longer, which is no good when already checkout will take longer with so many people. Mainly my advice is to just go with the flow. When you are relaxed everyone there will be relaxed! Good luck!

 

[letscook04]

First of all Welcome Aboard!!! Second you are selling products not recipes. Just stick with one recipe and you'll be fine. Good Luck!!!

 

[ilovepc]

The biggest thing I have learned is to not get frustrated when everyone isn't listening to me. When there is a big party there are always side conversations. Try not to get too distracted by them and just continue. The people that want to hear are listening and that is what matters most. Plus when you stall to get everyone's attention the show takes longer, which is no good when already checkout will take longer with so many people. Mainly my advice is to just go with the flow. When you are relaxed everyone there will be relaxed! Good luck!

Thanks for writing this. I really needed to hear that.

 

[ilovepc]

My very first Cooking Show as a consultant had 22 guests. The host had a huge dine-in kitchen, but we couldn't get everyone in there. The chairs spread down the hall & into the living room.

At the time, I was doing the interactive shows where someone would get up and try a tool. Now I do the full interactive shows where I set up 2-3 workstations (6-8 people at each), give them the recipe and the tools & let them go to town. I walk from station to station to answer questions or suggest tips to help with the tool. So far, the guests LOVE being able to touch everything!!

Great idea. I dont have 4 cutting boards ... I'll have to think about this.
Thanks!

 

[krley]

one mistake I made at my first show was to do too many recipes and not enough prep work. Think about how you're doing the show and decide how much to prep. For example, if you're doing an interactive show and have a large crowd, maybe you want to want to cut up all your tomatoes at the show because the more people you get to try our knives the better. But if you're not doing interactive, cutting 3 tomatoes in front of everyone gets rather boring (have 2 done ahead of time).

 

[ilovepc]

Okay, I should tell you how it went... My host ended up having 18 guests. We decided to forgo the demo and had the one pot pasta already prepared. We decided to have a new product table set up and we also talked about the recipe. I did demo the chocolate cake in the rice cooker which was a hit. We are ready to close the show now. It ended at 811.00. Not great for 18 guests but they were all talking about how broke they were. Now here is the issue. My DH told me to ask you all what you all would do.

My host does not have the money for the 60% off of the cookware (Sept show). She told me that I could take the special if I wanted it. I want the 7 peice executive set. I don't have any pieces of the non stick except for the 8 in and 10 inch saute pan. My husband loves the stainless steel. I had to borrow the stock pot from my director to make the one pot pasta and I really would like to have my own. Especially at 60% off.

I can afford it. My husband thinks it is awful that I can't buy "just the stockpot". I want the stockpot but I also want the skillet and the other two pots/pans that come with the set.

What would you do?

 

[allisonserna]

just get the set - you will use it.. or you can gift it for x-mas gifts

 

[laurano75]

Okay, I should tell you how it went... My host ended up having 18 guests. We decided to forgo the demo and had the one pot pasta already prepared. We decided to have a new product table set up and we also talked about the recipe. I did demo the chocolate cake in the rice cooker which was a hit. We are ready to close the show now. It ended at 811.00. Not great for 18 guests but they were all talking about how broke they were. Now here is the issue. My DH told me to ask you all what you all would do.

My host does not have the money for the 60% off of the cookware (Sept show). She told me that I could take the special if I wanted it. I want the 7 peice executive set. I don't have any pieces of the non stick except for the 8 in and 10 inch saute pan. My husband loves the stainless steel. I had to borrow the stock pot from my director to make the one pot pasta and I really would like to have my own. Especially at 60% off.

I can afford it. My husband thinks it is awful that I can't buy "just the stockpot". I want the stockpot but I also want the skillet and the other two pots/pans that come with the set.

What would you do?

I would definately get the set!

 

[DandyG03]

Yes get the set! I'm getting the SS set for myself, it's just to great a deal to pass up. I've never ever had this nice of a set either so for me it's a treat. I look at it like this and I explain it to my host/guests the same way - if your so/hubby etc can have a garage full of tools so can you but your garage is your kitchen!! A nice air wrench set will set you back but it's worth it if you put it to use and so will your cookware, forge cutlery etc. SO slurge and get the set, he will thank you when you cook your amazing dinners in them!

 

[pcchefjane]

I have the 5-pc Exec and my DD has the 7-pc Exec! It is awesome! Go for it!

 

[gailz2]

Go for the set. Unused pieces can be given for gifts or special drawings or raffles!

 

[chefann]

I had to borrow the stock pot from my director to make the one pot pasta and I really would like to have my own. Especially at 60% off.

FYI- you can make the Creamy One Pot Pasta in the 12" skillet, if you have that. I find that pan the most versatile open stock piece.

 

[ChefBeckyD]

FYI- you can make the Creamy One Pot Pasta in the 12" skillet, if you have that. I find that pan the most versatile open stock piece.

I agree with Ann!