Nerves and First Show Jitters: Tips for a Successful Presentation

[SERVEITUPSONYA]

i have my 1st show tomorrow and i am looking for some words of advice. anything will help...nerves....i feel like i am going to be forgetting something. does giving your guests the catalogs in the begining of the show work better for you or do you wait until you are done with the show. i feel like i am going to get up front and forget what i will be talking about. i am making the strawberry banana pizza and i made it last week and it seems to turn out okay the only problem that i had with it was when i was taking the sugar cookie dough and turning it in to the shape of the pizza it was sticking to the roller and putting holes in the dough and not rolling out right. i just don't want this to happen infront of a group of people at home its different. help help help

 

[heat123]

BREATH! Try and Relax at your show! I know that may be difficult~ being your first show! I know my first one was very nerve racking because there were 13 people watching me! I used an outline or note cards to get me through it and actually still use one to 9 months later! No one seems to care, especially since you are first starting off!
Sometimes when I feel really nervous or on edge it helps to drink a couple sips of wine (if they have it a the party) and that takes the edge off quick!

As for the cookie dough, did you use flour so the roller would not stick? Try that. Good luck and just have fun! If you enjoy it your audience will too!

 

[SERVEITUPSONYA]

did the flour on the roller and it still stuck to the dough

 

[pamperedlinda]

Put your baker's roller in the freezer when you get to your host's house. I read this on here somewhere and I tried it.....it really does work! Doesn't stick and you don't need the flour either. I tried this with the puff pastry dough and that stuff is pretty sticky. If you don't have time to practice before your show tell your guests that you are trying something new and that you will all see together how it works. You might want to have some flour with you just in case you need it though,

Also, be sure that during your demo you talk with your guests, not to them. When I pick up a tool to use in my recipe I usually say something like "I'm going to use the baker's roller to do....does anyone have this?" if someone says yes I ask them what they use it for and how much they like it. If they don't have it I tell them why I like it and what I use it for.

Good luck! Let us know how it goes.
Linda

 

[pampered1224]

Remember too to add some laughs!A joke here or there helps you and your guests relax.
For example, when you use the Baker's Roller explain that "it makes a great foot massager. Only, please get two!"
Or even something like this about the warranty on the stone you use. "It has a three year warranty and they will usually replace it no matter how it breaks! Just don't tell them your kids thought it was a frisbie!"
Making them laugh makes you relax and makes you memorable. You always want to leave a good impression of being a fun likable person.

 

[JCBurk]

I just had my first show last Friday night & believe me I was a bundle of nerves! I decided just to get up there & be honest with them....I told them that I've been with PC for a two weeks now and they have the privilege of being at my very first live kitchen show! I told them all to cross their fingers and say a little prayer that I don't talk to fast, they get all the info they want & need and that the food tastes great! In the end I think it made everyone a little more "understanding" towards my presentation and things went great!! I even had a few of them return the door prize slips with little words of encouragement! Just relax and be yourself! You'll do great!

 

[janel kelly]

The best advice I have for a sugar cookie pizza like the one you're doing is make it into a circle and bake it ahead of time. That way its ready for your show. The at the show I just tell everyone about the bakers roller and pass it around. I honestly don't use the roller to roll out sugar cookie dough-- too much of a pain.

Also write things down that you want to say or remember. I still do that and use cheat cards. There is nothing wrong with that at all. Don't worry, the first show is always the most nerve wracking. Just be enthusiastic and it will catch on with your guests.

 

[gilliandanielle]

I saw a cute idea somewhere on here about having the host or one of the guests roll it out so it doesn't look bad if you did it!

 

[pckimboyers]

Boy do I remember that feeling!! I was so nervous that I was nauseated! Once I got into it though and everybody seemed to be having fun, it was much easier! I agree with writing down a little cheat sheet outlining what and when to do things, and I practiced out loud to my son (who's 4) hey he thought it was fun! It will get easier the more shows you do! Good Luck! You'll be fine!!!