Do You Provide the Ingredients for the Show Recipe?

[ChefBeckyD]

Wow - I'm amazed at how many people do the shopping.

On the other side of the coin - I tried it, and it was a pain! I'd forget to collect payment, or I'd be rushing last minute to make a trip to the store, or I would forget something in my refrigerator at home. (I know - you more organized types probably would never do this...but I'm a "by the seat of my pants" type of gal!)
Soooo, like I said in a previous post - I provide certain ingredients that I know will be iffy - Parmesan, Garlic, and things that are more obscure like White Wine Vinegar....
I do however, often talk my hosts through the Grocery Store over the phone. I make sure they KNOW what they need to purchase, and then I let them know that if they have any question about it while shopping to give me a call, and I'll guide them over the phone. It seems to work!

 

[kdangel518]

I do not do the shopping for my hosts, unless it is a fundraiser cooking show (I tell them you shouldn't have to spend $$ to make $$ for your fundraiser!) or a promo where I've offered/raffled off a free cooking show. For those few occasions throughout the year I write those off for taxes.

I approach it with my hosts this way- during the first host coaching call we discuss recipe options and I provide them with an ingredient list. I explain to them that all they have to do is pickup the ingredients, and as a thank you PC immediately gives them $15 in free product. They all say "wow!" and I reply "I know, right! That's a great deal, because none of our recipes cost $15 to make!!"

At our final call before the show, when I ask how many people are expected to attend, etc., I say "do you have all the ingredients for your show?" If they say no, or they are going tomorrow, etc. I will say "be sure to get a wedge of parmesan cheese, not pre-grated, or be sure to get arborio rice." I tell everyone if there is anything you realize you've forgotten last minute give me a ring and I will be happy to pick it up on my way to your show!

As far as the "surprise" ingredients, it's happened to me many times. You know what? I joke with the host and the guests and we roll with the punches! I've never had an absolute disaster of a recipe... yet. And if we did... we joke and laugh throughout the entire show, they would still have a good time. There is only so much control you can have...

I try to keep my expenses as low as possible and it's just not realistic for me to shop for my hosts, and I would not feel comfortable at all asking for them to reimburse me. I might be ok with giving them the option- either you can shop or I can shop and you can reimburse me, but I would not make it as a standard practice to shop and ask the host to reimburse me.

 

[cewcooks]

I have always purchased the ingredients, I occasionally ask a host to pick up a block of cheese or a couple of products to demo but I usually have the recipe 1/2 done before I arrive at the hosts house.

 

[JenniK]

I too pick up the ingredients for the host because I do a lot of prep work before the show. I don't want them watching me chop up several chicken breasts when they got the idea of how wonderful the food chopper was on the first one. I try to keep my shows informative but brief so everyone can relax and have a good evening of fun!

I do forget to collect the cash for it sometimes, but if it is a large show... no worries!

 

[chefheidi2003]

I buy my own ingredients..for 2 reasons..1 because I have had some people get the wrong stuff..and it was harder to do the recipe..it was doable..but..not as easy..and the other reason is because there are some things that you need to buy in a larger amount..however..you only need a small amount for the recipe..so..that is why I buy the ingredients myself..

 

[jackieblue]

I have always had the host purchase the ingredients. I am very specific about what they need to get. I have had a few situations where husbands had to run to the store, but I have no plans to start shopping for the ingredients myself.

 

[pampered1224]

I mentioned earlier that I would start charging my hosts the $15 for the ingredients. Well, never happened. I totally forget to ask. And you know what, I too can buy in bulk as I try to stick to the same recipes for several months. So how do you charge them for 1/3 of a bottle of ketchup or better yet, 24 olives! So I write it off like I have for 7 years. No biggy and yep, it is much easier for me as then I know I have what I need. No surprises, no mix ups, no fuss, no muss.
I also totally agree with my post under Do you pay for postage. If I am going to offer the service, I pay for the service. I want their CONTINUED business and LOYALTY. Not the $15. Having a stable, (don't go there!), clientel makes me more money in the long run so...

 

[esavvymom]

I'm in the middle right now. Currently, I"m at the end of a promotion I did to get my booking going (free cooking show)...so I've been providing the ingredients. It's made it simpler for me in that I knew I had what I needed, HOWEVER, I end up taking 1-2 extra bags of food Depending on how much is needed - so that is a pain. I don't mind doing the shopping- because I figure, if it's a hassle for me to find an ingredient, or just going to the store, then it's going to be more so for my host and if she forgets, I'm up a creek and I'm not very good at winging it- yet. (still new at live shows...only 5 under my belt).

I'm contemplating some format changes to shorten my show and engage the group more. (1) I want to basically prep as MUCH as I can of the recipe as possible- even assembled if need be. My last couple of shows- people seem to care less about what I'm doing for that recipe, as they do about products. And they aren't $$$ products they ask about. So I'd rather make the recipe ahead, pop it in to bake and then just quickly talk about what I did for the recipe and focus on the products featured, and then do simple demos (like a potato show) or just talk about the products of my choosing (I'm thinking about a workshop I heard David Meenan & Feriale Yan (sp?) give). Plus, I can't talk and cook at the same time!! and I can't get people to help....bumps on a log (old PC-going crowds- they aren't very receptive to having to DO the cooking ).

and (2) My other problem and possible solution- hosts keep wanting something OTHER than what I'm cooking on my Menu. I've got a menu of 2 items per category, plus 2 themes...a decent selection IMHO! They ask me to do something else, and some I've never cooked. I do my best to accomodate, but I want to take back control. So I'm thinking I'll make up my menu based on the Budget-Friendly recipes (to help MY costs) and Theme Shows PC has. If the hosts picks one of MY selection, I'll provide the ingredients/shopping. But if they want something else, they'll get a shopping list from me for the ingredients and they can do it. I'll word it nicer than that of course, but you get the idea. Do it my way or you pay for it yourself! *hehe*.


My director buys the food and asks the hosts for the $15 when she closes the show.