First Cooking Show Success: Tips, Tricks, and Booking Opportunities!

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Discussion Overview

This thread centers around participants sharing their experiences and reflections on hosting their first cooking shows, discussing challenges faced, successes achieved, and strategies for future events.

Discussion Character

  • Anecdotal
  • Opinion-based

Main Points Raised

  • One participant, identifying as a consultant, described the nerves and challenges of their first cooking show, including last-minute ingredient issues and feeling flustered during the presentation.
  • Another participant shared their experience of forgetting details during their own shows, noting that it often leads to light-hearted moments and audience engagement.
  • Several users mentioned that forgetting things is common and that shows tend to get easier with experience.
  • One participant expressed disappointment over sales figures, attributing it to the crowd's income level but acknowledged the support from seasoned Pampered Chef fans in attendance.
  • Another participant discussed their strategy of involving guests in demonstrations to ease their own workload during shows.
  • One consultant inquired about the timing and shipping of their sales bonuses, reflecting on their planning for future shows and bookings.
  • Another participant noted that some bonus options might be more appealing than others, encouraging goal-setting for future sales.
  • One participant celebrated their successful show closing with excitement over their sales figures and the need for more bookings.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that forgetting details during shows is a common experience and that hosting becomes easier over time. However, views differ regarding the impact of audience demographics on sales performance.

Contextual Notes

Participants shared personal anecdotes related to their first cooking shows, highlighting the learning curve and the importance of audience engagement.

Who May Find This Useful

Consultants looking for relatable experiences and insights on hosting cooking shows may find this discussion beneficial.

PoseyMom
PoseyMom
Messages
182
Well, I finally did it... I have been doing all catalog shows since September as we thought we were relocating, which apparently isn't happening... so now... I did my first cooking show... it was so nervewracking and then my kids ate the strawberries for my recipe!!! :eek: :eek: :eek: Since they aren't in season this involved me driving all over the place to find strawberries again, finaly got them, but it meant i was only 30 minutes early to the show... which would have been okay but i was doing a lot of stuff ahead of time. Next time I think I am just going to do the prep work ahead of time at my house. I really didn't feel that comfortable prepping in the kitchen with the hostess.

Anyway I didn't really know most of these ladies, but got two bookings out of it... and the hostess is still working on outside orders. We are still below the $400 mark, but hoping to get there by Friday. :) Of course, I forgot to say half of my stuff... got totally flustered half way through and there was a long pause of dead air.... But the gals were nice, they loved winning prizes... they were just prize junkies, kept giving ME reasons they should get prizes... lol. Anyway, hopefully the next two parties are successful too!
 
Congratulations! Isn't it nice to get that first show behind you? Don't worry about forgetting things, I do it all the time. Sometimes in the middle of my demo I'll remember something that I should have said about a product I talked about 10 minutes before - so I just say 'Oh....forgot to tell you about blah blah blah'....I usually get a laugh and someone else will chime in and say 'that's so true and it will also do yadda yadda yadda' - which makes me forget where I was all over again, but it makes it fun.
 
I totally forgot about tons of stuff in my first show... heck still to this day I forget about stuff! Just know that the shows will only get easier! Congratulations on being done!
 
Congrats on your 1st show. 2 books and sounds like the sales are going well, that is great.
 
  • Thread starter
  • #5
YOu know... I was totally bummed out last night... I don't know why. I kept thinking that I should have had higher sales, but I think it was a low-income crowd so I guess I did okay. They were seasoned PC junkies which made it helpful. They sold everything for me. I even had a little old lady demo my can opener. She is hosting a show too!! I think next time I'm going to have more guests demo. I don't think I need to do anything and just let them do it all. I'll just stand around and throw prizes at people. :)
 
  • Thread starter
  • #6
OH!! One other thing. So between this show and a catalog show I am closing tomorrow night I will meet my SS1. But my SS1 isn't until November. When will it ship? And then will sales in November only count toward plus bonuses? Or will they apply to SS2?
 
It usually ships within a week of your show that qualifies you for your SS1. You might want to think about calling HO and seeing if you can change your SS1 to be october and that way november would be your SS2 - not sure if that is good or bad for you depends on how you think your bookings for November, December, and January are. Otherwise any sales you have post-ss1 bonus going into a SS-bank where there are 4 options and you pick one each time your "bank" hits $1250.

Fantastic job so far, keep up the good work.
 
That is awsome Jen congrats!!!! I can say been their done that and own the tshirt of being flustered and forgetting stuff!!!
 
  • Thread starter
  • #9
Tasha... I dont think I can switch it back to October. It was orginally October, but we were supposed to be moving to England in October so I pushed it to November. Well now we are not relocating, so we are just hanging out here waiting. I'll just let it accrue in my bank and see if I can keep getting bookings. I was thinking of doing a teacher's lunch hour demo at the school here. I should call and ask if that would be okay.
 
Well some of those "bank" options are in my opinion better than the SS monthly options. So look, drool, and set a goal to hit.
 
  • Thread starter
  • #11
HAHA! I've been drooling lots. I wish I could assemble my own SS bonuses! My show finally closed at 457!! YAY! I'm so excited. Now I just need to get more November bookings!!
 

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some essential tips for hosting a successful first cooking show?

To ensure your first cooking show is a success, focus on preparation and engagement. Choose a simple, crowd-pleasing recipe that showcases Pampered Chef products. Practice your presentation to build confidence, and create an inviting atmosphere. Encourage interaction by asking guests questions and involving them in the cooking process. Lastly, follow up with guests after the show to thank them and offer additional product information.

How can I effectively promote my first cooking show?

Promoting your first cooking show can be done through various channels. Utilize social media platforms to create buzz, share event details, and post enticing images of the recipe you'll be making. Send personalized invitations to friends and family, and consider offering incentives, such as a small gift or discount, for those who bring a friend. Additionally, create a Facebook event to keep everyone informed and engaged.

What are some tricks to encourage bookings during my cooking show?

To encourage bookings during your cooking show, make sure to highlight the benefits of hosting their own show, such as free products and exclusive discounts. Share your enthusiasm and personal experiences, and consider offering a special booking incentive, like a discount on their first order. Be sure to have booking forms readily available and encourage guests to sign up before they leave the show.

How can I handle questions or objections from guests during the show?

Handling questions or objections is a key part of a successful cooking show. Listen carefully to each question and respond with confidence and enthusiasm. If you don’t know the answer, it’s okay to say so and offer to follow up later. Use objections as opportunities to provide more information about the products and the benefits of hosting a show. Always keep the conversation positive and focused on the value of the Pampered Chef experience.

What follow-up actions should I take after my first cooking show?

After your first cooking show, follow up with guests promptly. Send thank-you notes or messages expressing your appreciation for their attendance. Include a recap of the show, links to the products demonstrated, and any special offers available. Additionally, reach out to those who expressed interest in hosting their own show to discuss potential dates and answer any questions they may have. This follow-up is crucial for building relationships and increasing future bookings.

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