Could a Salad-Themed Show Be the Next Big Hit?

[chefann]

I went out to lunch today with some coworkers to a neat little salad place. They're part of a chain, but this is the only location in MI. Their main menu item is salads, with some "pre-designed" selections, but the big draw is the "design your own."

I got to thinking (uh oh, that's dangerous), and this would be a fantastic theme show, especially in the summer. LOTS and LOTS of great salad ingredients to be prepped, plus bowls, salad choppers, etc.

Here's a list of the items they had for salads:

• 4 kinds of greens:
  • Iceberg mix
  • Romaine
  • Spring Mix
  • Spinach
• Green bell peppers
• Mushrooms
• Green peas
• Alfalfa sprouts
• Bacon bits
• Red onions
• Cucumbers
• Artichoke hearts
• Black olives
• Raisins
• Hard boiled egg
• Carrots
• tomatoes
• bean sprouts
• chickpeas
• croutons
• corn
• mandarin oranges
• pepperoncini peppers
• sunflower seeds
• chow mein noodles
• feta cheese
• parnesan cheese
• cheddar cheese
• Swiss cheese
• dried cranberries
• Sliced almonds
• gorgonzola cheese
• grilled chicken
• Meats:
  • teriyaki chicken
  • spicy chicken
  • lite tuna
  • chicken salad
  • roast beef
  • ham
  • turkey
  • wild Alaskan salmon
  • cooked shrimp
• Dressing:
  • Italian
  • Ranch
  • Blue Cheese
  • Thousand Island
  • Spicy Asian Peanut
  • Greek
  • Creamy Gorgonzola Italian
  • Cucumber Wasabi
  • Baslamic Vinaigrette
  • Carb Free Asian Sesame Ginger
  • Carb Free and Low Fat Sweet Roasted Garlic Vinaigrette
  • Fat Free Raspberry Vinaigrette
  • Low Fat Caesar
  • Low Fat Lite Honey Dijon
  • Low Fat Carribean Mango

I know that consultants have been doing salad shows for years, but this concept just clicked as I was looking at the counter with all the containers of diced and sliced veggies. And it's fun to watch the "salad chef" throw everything in a big bowl, chop away with a salad chopper (theirs was like a pizza cutter with 2 stationary blades), then mix in dressing using tongs.

With summer (practically) over, I'm switching to warm food for shows. But I'm definitely adding this to my list of January themes, for folks trying to lose those holiday pounds.

 

[ginamkiely]

Ann, you weren't at Everything Salads and Yogurts were you? We have one of those here in NJ and they have the BEST salads ever. Same ingredients. That definitely sounds like a great idea for a show, i'll have to save that. Thanks

 

[stacywhitlow]

"in 90 days...

Total commissionable sales: $6279.80
Commission: $1496.50
Shows: 4 Catalog shows, 3 Cooking shows
PC Bucks: $600
Total free products: $679 worth of products for only $84.00
Earned products: $200 worth of Fall sell-a-thon products
Total commission and products: $2891.50
Amount of pride earned: PRICELESS! lol "



THAT IS AWESOME!!! Keep it up!:thumbup:

 

[chefann]

It was a Salad Creations. Sounds like a similar concept, though, Gina.

 

[raebates]

Great show idea, Ann. I can even see a "make your own salad" show. Guests choose the ingredients, place them in a bowl, and use the Salad Chopper before adding their own dressing.