Cooking Show Nerves: Do You Get Butterflies?

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Discussion Overview

This thread centers around the experiences and feelings of participants regarding pre-show nerves associated with cooking demonstrations. Many share personal anecdotes about their own nervousness and strategies to cope with it.

Discussion Character

  • Anecdotal
  • Opinion-based
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses significant nervousness about their first cooking show and seeks reassurance from others.
  • Another participant shares their experience of still feeling nervous even after years of doing shows, emphasizing the importance of practice.
  • Several users mention the phrase "I'm pampered, not perfect" as a helpful reminder during shows.
  • One participant notes that having familiar faces in the audience, like family, can ease nerves.
  • Another participant highlights the importance of viewing the show as a fun event rather than a serious performance.
  • One participant describes their first show experience positively, despite forgetting some steps, and mentions receiving bookings as a result.
  • Another participant reflects on learning from audience feedback during their early shows, which has helped them improve over time.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ on the level of nervousness experienced, with some participants consistently feeling butterflies while others find it less daunting over time. No clear consensus emerges on the best way to handle nerves.

Contextual Notes

Participants share personal experiences from their cooking shows, reflecting a range of emotions and coping strategies related to performance anxiety.

Who May Find This Useful

New consultants or those preparing for their first cooking shows may find the shared experiences and coping strategies relevant to their own situations.

pc_jessica
Messages
653
i have my first cooking show tomorrow night, im sooo nevous i have no idea what i am doing lol...i need to get my thinknig cap on and come up with a plan of events for the show lol...eekkkk im hoping it goes well...do you guys still get butterflies before a show????
 
Re: nervous!!congrats , relax and have fun .......make yourself the cards to follow
opening do the recipe...middle...closing don't worry about following them we all did it , now 600 shows later it;s funny to remember my 1st show
 
Re: nervous!!Still get them, and I've been doing this for years. Practice out loud, and remember that we're Pampered, not perfect.
 
Re: nervous!!Yes, I get butterflies! Relax and be yourself. You will do great! When you make a mistake, say "It's okay, I'm pampered, not perfect", fix it and go on. People will know you are just like them!
 
  • Thread starter
  • #5
Re: nervous!!thanks il have to remember that 'im pampered not pefect!', luckily the host is my aunt, and i know most of her friends and coworkers so it should be easy, adn wednesday night is my 2nd cooking show and that host is mom! so these to 2 shows are my practice runs! but still have huge buterflies lol
 
Re: nervous!!Just think - as soon as this one is over, you won't have your "first show" to do anymore! Just get through it, you will make mistakes, but it's not the end of the world. You'll forget things, too, but again, it's not like you're performing heart surgery. Just have fun with it, because it IS fun, and think of it as a party and you'll be fine!! Good luck!
 
Re: nervous!!Cathy has a great point. It's not all that serious. It's just food.
 
Re: nervous!!Good luck! I still get nervous only if it's been a while since I've had a show. Feels like I'm starting all over again - a good reason to stay busy:)!
 
Re: nervous!!I've learned that each show has a personality all of it's own, so I practice what I can, and just have fun with the rest and cook my food! So far, I've been able to do better than average, have great show attendance at every show (no less than 8 so far!), and everyone seems to connect with me and enjoy themselves. A few hiccups- but I'm learning to be like "Elasti-girl" (from the Incredibles)...be more "Fllleexxxiibble!" :DBe sure to update us on your success or your problems too! That's what's great about this group!
 
  • Thread starter
  • #10
Re: nervous!!so i just got back a little bit ago from my first show! it went pretty well, there were 10 people, there and i got 1 for sure booking on teh calendar, and 2 more taht i need to call next week, one is getting carpet installed and needs to get a date finalized for that and wants to make sure she has a floor to have a party, and the other wants to make sure she can get people to come she lives about 30 mins outside of town, so i will call her on friday. i did forget 2 steps to the recipe but it was still awesome and everyone thought the brownies were great! i did forget a few things i wanted to talk about until the end of the show, but all in all i was pretty happy with myself! now i must go enter all the orders on p3...ugh
thanks for all your guys encouragement, i knew i could do and the best part once i got there my nerves went away!
 
Re: nervous!!Congratuations, Jessica. So glad your first show went well. Good for you, getting a booking. Try to confirm the extra two, so that they are entered before you submit the show. That way, your Aunt will be able to take advantage of the Past Host benefits if she wants to order the Host special at any of her friend's parties.

If your Mom attended, enter the party she will have tomorrow night, and your Aunt could be the Past Hostess on your Mom's, and she could purchase another piece of
cookware.

I believe I am correct on this idea. There just needs to be a couple of days between when you submit the shows, so that your Aunts goes in first, to allow time for your Mom's booking to happen - after tonight's party.

At my first three parties I asked for the audience's help in letting me practice my presentation, and then asked for their suggestions on how I could make it better, or more fun for them. One nurse in the audience said she would have liked to see me wear food preparation gloves. She also caught me using a knife twice on two different foods. Those things have stayed in my mind for four years, and I am so glad someone pointed it out to me.

One temptation for new consultants is to take every single PC item you have to show people. I still have trouble packing light. My recruiter told me from the beginning to only take the samples of the specials, and the tools I needed for my recipe. It makes it look easy, if you can control the hauling in and out of your equipment.

Let us know how tomorrow night goes, too. You have my prayer support.
 
Re: nervous!!All hosts in your first 30 days can get a Charter Host Gift too. Make sure you let her pick or the shipping department will pick for her! ;)
 
  • Thread starter
  • #13
Re: nervous!!oh yes she has already told me she wanted sprinkle and the rub...we made some dips ahead of time with the sprinkles set everyone loved those!

thanks rita for the prayer support that is what i need! i was praying the whole hour before the show and throught the show! and after the show! i'm just a praying machine!
 

Frequently Asked Questions

What are cooking show nerves and why do they happen?

Cooking show nerves refer to the anxiety or butterflies that many presenters feel before or during a cooking demonstration. These nerves can stem from the fear of public speaking, the desire to impress guests, or the pressure to perform well. It's a common experience, even for seasoned presenters.

How can I manage my nerves before a cooking show?

To manage nerves, practice is key. Rehearse your presentation multiple times to build confidence. Additionally, deep breathing exercises, positive affirmations, and visualizing a successful show can help calm your nerves. Arriving early to set up and familiarize yourself with the space can also ease anxiety.

Is it normal to feel butterflies during a cooking show?

Yes, it is completely normal to feel butterflies during a cooking show. Many presenters experience this sensation, regardless of their experience level. Embracing these feelings as a natural part of the process can help you focus on delivering an enjoyable experience for your guests.

What should I do if I make a mistake during the show?

If you make a mistake during your cooking show, try to stay calm and composed. Acknowledge the mistake with humor or a light-hearted comment, and then move on. Most guests will appreciate your authenticity and may not even notice the error if you handle it gracefully.

Can practice help reduce cooking show nerves?

Absolutely! Practice is one of the most effective ways to reduce cooking show nerves. The more familiar you are with your material and the cooking techniques you'll be demonstrating, the more confident you'll feel. Consider practicing in front of friends or family to simulate the live audience experience.

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