HockeyLover
- 99
I had my first cooking show last night. Of course, being my first show, the host is a family member. Pretty difficult to host coach, even when I used the excuse that 'I need to practice.'
First, she refused to get together a guest list. "It's just the girls from work, no need for invitations." We set a show time of 7pm. I called her at 6 to be sure she had the shopping list all set. "Yes, everything's all set." I arrived at 6:30 to set up, and the food was not "all set." Her husband was at the store picking up what was needed.
And it gets better. She wanted me to set up in the formal living room, using TV trays of all things. She has a great kitchen with lots of room. 
The food finally arrived at 6:55 so I was in a full panic because I couldn't do any of the pre show prep. I was making the Elegant Artichoke Cups and instead of a block of mozzarella, he got mozzarella medallions. Can't use the Ultimate Mandoline on those, now can I? I put them in the freezer anyway, hopeful. 7 o'clock rolls around, and the host decides to take a shower. (I would insert a jaw-dropping smilie here if we had one) Apparently, she decided to move the show to 7:30 and forgot to tell me. Oh, okay. 7:30, 7:45... Only one other family member is present, no sign of the girls from work that didn't need invitations. So, I did the show for them after moving all of my products back to the kitchen. And, by the way, the mozzarella medallions? They can not be used with the Mandoline. I had to use the 5" Utility Knife instead. The recipe came out great and the show is over $150, so it qualified. I am grateful! I told her to contact her coworkers and get outside orders from them. Hopefully, something more will come out of this! Looking back, my first show was almost comical.
It does get better, right? Once I get past my own family?
First, she refused to get together a guest list. "It's just the girls from work, no need for invitations." We set a show time of 7pm. I called her at 6 to be sure she had the shopping list all set. "Yes, everything's all set." I arrived at 6:30 to set up, and the food was not "all set." Her husband was at the store picking up what was needed.
And it gets better. She wanted me to set up in the formal living room, using TV trays of all things. She has a great kitchen with lots of room. The food finally arrived at 6:55 so I was in a full panic because I couldn't do any of the pre show prep. I was making the Elegant Artichoke Cups and instead of a block of mozzarella, he got mozzarella medallions. Can't use the Ultimate Mandoline on those, now can I? I put them in the freezer anyway, hopeful. 7 o'clock rolls around, and the host decides to take a shower. (I would insert a jaw-dropping smilie here if we had one) Apparently, she decided to move the show to 7:30 and forgot to tell me. Oh, okay. 7:30, 7:45... Only one other family member is present, no sign of the girls from work that didn't need invitations. So, I did the show for them after moving all of my products back to the kitchen. And, by the way, the mozzarella medallions? They can not be used with the Mandoline. I had to use the 5" Utility Knife instead. The recipe came out great and the show is over $150, so it qualified. I am grateful! I told her to contact her coworkers and get outside orders from them. Hopefully, something more will come out of this! Looking back, my first show was almost comical.It does get better, right? Once I get past my own family?
I always tell my hosts during coaching that "as a service to all of my hosts, I will do the shopping for you. I only ask that you send me a check for $15 to cover the cost of ingredients...if it's less I give the change back, if it's more..I don't charge another penny." They are always appreciative of that and usually give me a check the night of the show, but I've been stiffed too. I like the idea of including that in their total and will probably start doing that from now on.
(The filling for the spinach-artichoke ring makes a great dip...just in case you ever forget the crescent rolls!)
