Is the Taste of Home Cooking Show in Raleigh Worth Attending?

[esavvymom]

Anyone in the Raleigh area, the Taste of Home Cooking show is coming to town (Sept 13). There is already a PC booth there, so don't try that (friends of mine), but I was just thinking about going to the SHOW to learn some new tips, etc.

Has anyone done this (gone to the show, not being a vendor)? Was it worth it?

Tickets are $12-$25.

 

[BethCooks4U]

I was a vendor at one of these and it was not worth it. It was expensive and there wasnt much time to get leads -just before and after the show. As far as participant I didn't feel it was worth the admission. As a vendor we were there for the whole cooking show. It was okay but I didn't really learn anything. Some people thought it was worth it though.

 

[byrd1956]

there will be one near here next month and the ad said the cost to get in is $10. Will there be more cost once inside? Did find any information on being a vendor.

 

[flemings99]

I looked on-line for one in our area. It says the sponsor decides on the cost and if they allow vendors or not.

We went to a similar event a couple years ago as guest and felt it wasn't worth the entry. We went home saying, we do the same thing for free every week + they get to try the food. Have never been to a taste of home event.

 

[pampered1224]

I went to one in Racine maybe 5 years ago. It was not much different than one of our shows. I think we too paid $10 each. I remember getting a small cookbook, a magazine and I think there was some sort of small product. It was a sample of something the sponsor was pushing. There was a PC booth there and they too did very poorly for the cost. I knew one of the directors.

 

[esavvymom]

It's funny. I've seen other threads where the consultants said they had so much business. So maybe each one varies (styles, technique, crowds). But thanks for the tips on the show. I guess spending my money and time on something that likely won't teach me anything else new may not be worth it. I don't have enough ours in the day as it is!

 

[Jennie4PC]

I have done booths there and I have gotten tons of leads. Some yrs are definitly better then others. In the yrs past it has been well woth the $10 to get in and see the show because the local casinos would supply food and it was good food. But then last yr a different comapny took over and there was no food so I know a lot of people were upset over it. This yr they had food but you had to pay for it. This was also the 1st yr they had alcohol and people left so drunk they were calling cabs to come get them. I know a lot of people were upset about the alcohol thing. I was cause a guy dumped beer on my table twice.

 

[MissChef]

It's bizarre how we all differ.. It might depend on the area you are in too! I did this event about 10 years ago.. and I had so many leads.. both for shows and recruits and I had a full schedule and recruited from it too! I loved the event and I would have paid for it and gone to it had I not been a vendor! It was well worth it to me! I think it might depend on how much you like to cook too, as to if the event is worth attending! I absolutely love to cook! So it was just a great big party to me! LOL! anyway.. continue to look into it from the view point of your city, I mean, check with your local informants first and see what they think.. that will let you know a little more if it's worth it for your area!

 

[islandgurlchef]

I think it depends too on your area of the country. I attended/worked (different direct sales company - a start up so did not have to pay for the booth) several of them in 2004/2005. In our area it was very def. a retiree crowd who came into the a/c for the afternoon!! Lots of leads with but not one ever panned out as they didn't realize what they were signing up for on the drawing slip!! Usually sell out crowd and so you have to prepare lots of whatever little titbits you're providing. I wouldn't do it again.