My First Party Disaster: Pecan Salad & Flying Apple Tart!

[chefjessicah]

I did my first party by myself today. It was for my mom & her friends, so I did a lot more than I probably should have. Anyway, I made the pecan crusted mozzarella salad and the apple tart. Everything turned out great until I was cutting the apple tart with my pizza cutter. We had the cooling rack setting on a table that was just wide enough to hold it, so as I was cutting, the legs of the rack slipped off the edge and my apple tart went flying everywhere!! :cry: I was so embarrassed! My mom made a joke about it and everything went well without it. Just wanted to share my first party disaster!!

 

[BethCooks4U]

Congratulations. Well, now you are past that and you've got a story to tell! Did you get any bookings? Leads? How were the sales? I also want to say that the hardest parties are when we do them for family. You survived!

 

[chefjessicah]

No bookings or leads and sold right at $800. It was still fun once I got over my embarrassment! Also thankful the stone didn't break. I don't know how it didn't since it fell about 3 feet on a ceramic tile floor!

 

[easytoprepare]

My first show was a cookie party and I was showing off the Cookie Press....well after 6 different batches of dough I called my Director in a panic as I couldn't get the Press to work I found out it had to be JUST RIGHT, and after 8 batches finally got one that worked! Good thing it was a freind of mine.....and what 4...wait....5 years ago But YEP, I was TOTALLY EMBARASSED!!!!!

 

[PamperedchefDaly]

Congratulations on a great first show! Don't worry about a little mishap. Whenever I drop something, I always mumble loudly "well, that's why I don't sell crystal." Humor always helps

 

[BethCooks4U]

No bookings or leads and sold right at $800. It was still fun once I got over my embarrassment! Also thankful the stone didn't break. I don't know how it didn't since it fell about 3 feet on a ceramic tile floor!

Great sales! Not far from your $1250 qualifying!! Now call everyone and thank them for coming to your show. Ask them if they would like to do a show or if they can refer anyone to you. If you make it about them eventually you'll get those referrals and bookings.

 

[Jolie_Paradoxe]

Congrats! You're off to a fab start! Beth made some excellent suggestions! Much success!

 

[Sheila]

And the other saying ... we're Pampered Chefs, not Perfect Chefs. Congrats on great sales! Don't sweat the mishaps, they happen. (((hugs)))

 

[raebates]

Congratulations! One of these days you'll enjoy sharing your this-happened-to-me story.

 

[gailz2]

Welcome aboard, and congratulations. I find the audience never minds my mistakes--it may even make them feel sorry for me and buy more. I got so excited showing some products to the guests once while I had some chocolate melting in the microwave (which I think I set for 1 hour vs. 1 minute)--they stopped me and asked about all the smoke behind me. It showed that the prep cup was fine after I had chocolate chips burned to a hard mass inside it!We've all had our share of mishaps--it is something, indeed, to share and laugh about.Good luck with your business. When you call each person, you may want to say, "I was a bit embarrassed with the mishap at the show, and forgot to ask if I could put you down to have your own show--and I promise not to drop the dessert, or if you have a friend who might help me out by having one of my first shows. Getting a few bookings will really help my new business."

 

[chefjessicah]

Congratulations on a great first show! Don't worry about a little mishap. Whenever I drop something, I always mumble loudly "well, that's why I don't sell crystal." Humor always helps

That is HILARIOUS!!! I hope I never have to use it, but if I do, I soooo will! Thanks for the support everybody.

 

[carlajanes]

big hug sweetie!!!! pick yourself up....your party did great! congrats on the $800!
at least you didn't have a wedding cake you were setting up fall over onto the table! yes....that happened to me a couple of weeks ago....i was able to save it but sooooooooooooo embarrassed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
your next party will be even better!!!!!
~carla

 

[Shelly Flanagan]

I throw food on someone at least once every show, I make a joke about it and get lots of laughs... usually people think I do it on purpose. My funniest was a show for my sister, I was using the Salad and Berry spinner with lettuce in it and just kept pushing the handle and pushing the handle...well my timer went off for my chicken and I took my "holding" hand off of the lid and it flew off and lettuce flew all over two of my aunts that had been sitting there chatting. I told them that now that I got their attention they could help prepare the rest of the meal. Everyone laughed til they cried. Including my two aunts. It turned out to be a $700 show and there were only 5 buying people. Don't sweat the small stuff, just tell em like I do, "It's the Pampered Chef, not the Perfect Chef - cause if it were the Perfect Chef, it would have MY picture on it". lol.
Congrats on your first show - I hope you have a long and rewarding career with PC.
God Bless