Cooking Show Recipes: See What We Make!

[klsnyder]

How many recipes to you all make at your shows??

 

[KellyTheChef]

I did two when I started (one the main demo, one a quick "finish up" in front of them) and I was making myself nuts. Once I cut back to one recipe, my sales actually went UP!! I think it was because I was more relaxed not worrying about getting it all done!

Sometimes (and I really mean sometimes...when I have time and I feel like it) I will bring something extra to the show already made if they are going to have more than 12 or so attending. I usually don't even tell them, or if I do I will tell them the day before so I know that I have the time to do it. If I am too busy, I just don't mention it and they never know the difference!

 

[KellyTheChef]

My post sounds kindof witchy there... I don't mean to sound like that! I just feel that PC does a really good job of rewarding our hosts for having a great show that I don't feel pressured to do a whole lot extra.

I offer other things: 25 orders I give them a quick stir
3 cooking shows booked = cookbook of their choice (put on the last bookings show, of course!)

I didn't want to sound like I don't appreciate my hosts...and I think my first post may have sounded like that!

 

[klsnyder]

My post sounds kindof witchy there... I don't mean to sound like that! I just feel that PC does a really good job of rewarding our hosts for having a great show that I don't feel pressured to do a whole lot extra.

I offer other things: 25 orders I give them a quick stir
3 cooking shows booked = cookbook of their choice (put on the last bookings show, of course!)

I didn't want to sound like I don't appreciate my hosts...and I think my first post may have sounded like that!

Not at all!!

 

[SusanBP0129]

agree!I agree! It's about the products NOT the recipes and I am trying to simplify
!

I did two when I started (one the main demo, one a quick "finish up" in front of them) and I was making myself nuts. Once I cut back to one recipe, my sales actually went UP!! I think it was because I was more relaxed not worrying about getting it all done!

Sometimes (and I really mean sometimes...when I have time and I feel like it) I will bring something extra to the show already made if they are going to have more than 12 or so attending. I usually don't even tell them, or if I do I will tell them the day before so I know that I have the time to do it. If I am too busy, I just don't mention it and they never know the difference!

 

[klsnyder]

So do you all use the products needed for the one recipe, and then "walk through the catalog" for the rest of the products?

 

[jenniferknapp]

2....I bring one done and demo another!

 

[DebbieJ]

So do you all use the products needed for the one recipe, and then "walk through the catalog" for the rest of the products?

No matter what the recipe, I ALWAYS hit on cookware, stoneware, and cutlery and then the host special for whatever month I want to book.

I want the customers to want our collections. Those are the booking hooks. You'll show them enough other things and they'll find the other little things in the catalog to place a nice order.

 

[KellyTheChef]

So do you all use the products needed for the one recipe, and then "walk through the catalog" for the rest of the products?

I demo the one recipe, and then always go back and touch on our main lines if I need to (stoneware, SA, cookware, forged knives) That way, if my recipe needs to bake, I have something to talk about. So, say I am making a pizza, I will talk VERY briefly on the stones when I am doing my demo, but then go further into use/care/benefits of stones later on while it is baking.

If I bring a second recipe, it is just to "share" so I usually don't talk about the products I used unless someone specifically asks me to.

Hope that all made sense!

 

[KellyTheChef]

No matter what the recipe, I ALWAYS hit on cookware, stoneware, and cutlery and then the host special for whatever month I want to book.

I want the customers to want our collections. Those are the booking hooks. You'll show them enough other things and they'll find the other little things in the catalog to place a nice order.

Deb~

We were typing the same thing at the same time!!!

 

[raebates]

I usually don't make a recipe at my shows. I take something already made, and do a Walk through the Catalog show.

If my host really prefers it, I'll do a recipe during the show. In that case, I do only 1.


And, Kelly, no witchiness detected at all.

 

[KellyTheChef]

Thanks ladies, for being able to read my "tone of voice" sometimes it is hard with emails or these boards for people to know your meaning behind your words. Once I went back and read my post I thought, if someone didn't know me, they would be like "WELL, AREN'T WE FULL OF OURSELVES!?!?" and I did NOT want to come across like that!!

 

[raebates]

Don't worry. We don't allow any of those types of people on CS, anyway.

 

[KellyTheChef]

Don't worry. We don't allow any of those types of people on CS, anyway.

LMBO!

 

[heat123]

Usually 1 unless they have 12 or more expected then I do a FREE microcake dessert!

 

[Momma23boys]

OOOHHH, I usually do two.. but on Sunday my host is working up to... get this..
The Aloha Pizza
Choc. Pecan Lattice Tart
Strawberry Amaretto Pastries
A dip (dill mix w/ the sour cream etc.)
And..........a drink... then she said or two..............
UMMMMMMMMM> I am NOT a caterer.
so.. big breath.
I need to let her know that um.. no, we can do two.
She is expecting (maybe? 12 or 13) but I saw her guest list and ..there wasn't even 12 then.
I will address and send the invites if they have 35 or more on their list. She said oh never mind.. I'll just do it.

She already has at least 200 in outside orders (yaay~ her dad ordered 100 himself) but..
Any professional wording i can use?? I was thinking of using the opp. to tell her how our jobs are so easy and we love to Pamper out Hosts, not stress them by having too much to prepare and clean up after.
She admitted she never has fun at her own parties because she is always too stressed out!
Help me, help her?!
Thanks!

 

[chefann]

How about:

I understand that you're excited about the recipes, but I really want to make this an enjoyable experience for you and your guests. I've found that one recipe plus a drink is really all that's needed to show off the tools and give everyone a little snack. Any more than that and your friends will get bored with the demo, and you'll spend more on ingredients than you'll get in free product.

 

[Kathytnt]

Depending on attendence I will usually do a main recipe and finish off another recipe like a dessert

 

[Kathytnt]

I was talking to my host for the show on Tuesday and she said I thought you usually did a whole meal - I make a recipe or two to sample. Trust me your friends do not want to come to your house on a work night while I demo a 5 course meal

 

[ChefBeckyD]

What if you just said "I'd love for this to be a fun relaxing time for you to spend with your friends - that's my job and what I do best! Honestly, when you have that much food at a show, most of it doesn't get eaten. I think if we do these 2 recipes ____________ & ____________, and if you have some drinks and chips out when guests arrive, that will be pelnty, and it will take alot of the stress off from you, and you will be able to enjoy your party and your friends!"

 

[gilliandanielle]

I usually do one recipe, but this month I have been doing one "meal type" and a quick trifle with pudding, cake and whipped cream. People like to see how easy it is to throw together but it looks so pretty!

 

[Momma23boys]

How about:

I understand that you're excited about the recipes, but I really want to make this an enjoyable experience for you and your guests. I've found that one recipe plus a drink is really all that's needed to show off the tools and give everyone a little snack. Any more than that and your friends will get bored with the demo, and you'll spend more on ingredients than you'll get in free product.

Perfect! Now I need to cut and paste that into my mouth I wouldn't have thought of the free product thing...

 

[ChefBeckyD]

For my night time shows, I have found that people really don't come expecting a meal - most have already eaten when they get there......now my brunch shows....that's a different story, and I do make sure I have a heartier demo recipe for those shows!

 

[Momma23boys]

I just called her and she was fine with that! We are doing the pizza and the Slap Your Mama Margaritas..
Thanks ChefAnn

 

[Momma23boys]

and BeckyD

 

[chefann]

For my night time shows, I have found that people really don't come expecting a meal - most have already eaten when they get there......now my brunch shows....that's a different story, and I do make sure I have a heartier demo recipe for those shows!

That's true. Timing is everything. Which is why my evening shows are 7:00 - it's after dinner, but early enough that we're completely done by usually 8:30 (orders and everything).
But for brunch, I suggest to the host that they purchase muffins or cut fruit, to go with the frittata or whatever I'm demoing. Then there's more food, but the demo isn't 4 hours long.

 

[ChefBeckyD]

and BeckyD

I love it when hosts tell their guests that "This was the easiest party I've ever hosted!" If they enjoy themselves and have a good time, thier guests will be more apt to book too!

 

[ChefBeckyD]

That's true. Timing is everything. Which is why my evening shows are 7:00 - it's after dinner, but early enough that we're completely done by usually 8:30 (orders and everything).
But for brunch, I suggest to the host that they purchase muffins or cut fruit, to go with the frittata or whatever I'm demoing. Then there's more food, but the demo isn't 4 hours long.

That's what I usually suggest too - and I have them do the fruit platter on SA or Chillzanne. I used to use a sample packet of coffee for brunch shows too....sigh....

 

[PCGINA]

I usually don't make a recipe at my shows. I take something already made, and do a Walk through the Catalog show.

If my host really prefers it, I'll do a recipe during the show. In that case, I do only 1.

DITTO - I started using Rae's presentation plan (thanks Rae )this past week - WOW!!! It worked great for Seasoned guests - but the newbies thought they were going to see it "put together" - next ime I need more info from the host....

I sometimes throw the pull-apart bread together as a quick demo if the host has the bisquits on hand. What a great way to show guests you CAN throw it together even if you didn't plan on it....

 

[raebates]

If someone seems disappointed that they didn't get to see me actually put a recipe together, I let them know that I'm fine with doing a "regular cooking show." Everyone's different, and it's their show.