toEat or Not to Eat....that Is My Question!

[GeorgiaPeach]

I'm curious as to what you guys are doing at your shows. Do you fill a plate and eat along with everyone? Do you just take something to drink? I don't think there is a right or wrong answer, just wondering.

I don't usually eat mainly because I eat dinner before going to the show. I do take a drink if offered (or if I get thirsty and just ask ) Plus I've seen enough taco rings to last a lifetime!

Last night I had a really fun show with young married and newly engaged girls. I wasn't hungry and turned down the offer of food. I'm afraid I hurt her feelings because I didn't eat anything.

 

[Christ Follower]

I will just take a drink if offered. I have been at shows for frineds where I will grab a bite after everyone I don't know leaves.

 

[crystalscookingnow]

I usually don't just b/c I don't feel right. Not sure why, maybe b/c my recruiter never ate at my shows. Not sure!

 

[buzz26]

Strictly depends on whose show it is. Sometimes, the host offers to fix me a plate and brings it to me while I'm checking out. I never eat it at that time though. Many times, I'll eat while chatting with the host afterwards (if I know them well).

 

[Chef Kearns]

I put "depends on what's there", but I mean it depends on the host. If I know her well or know the guests then maybe. Sometimes I just don't get to it between mingling with the guests, straightening up, and taking orders.

It also depends on what we demoed. I am extremely picky and while I'll make it I won't eat it. I have to be careful though because I tend to turn my nose up at food I don't like and I don't want people thinking there is something wrong with the food or recipe. Ya know?!:blushing:

 

[kristenlee]

I do if the hostess offers, I figure that is the best way to see what they think. If they don't offer, I don't ask. I will just ask for a glass of ice water. The majority of my hosts offer me a plate.

 

[cmdtrgd]

If the host brings me something, I eat it so I don't appear to be rude. I did have someone ask me once why I wasn't eating - was there something wrong with the food? I try not to eat because I usually make decadent recipes (don't need the extra calories) and I don't want to take money from the host in the way of ingredients.

 

[chefjeanine]

I think there have been two times in the six years that I've been doing this that I've had something to eat. Both times were when I had never made the recipe before (I know, I'm SO BRAVE) and wondered what it tasted like.

I always ask for a glass of water before I start the show. . .I drink that throughout.

I don't eat dinner before I go. . .I eat when I get home.

 

[heat123]

I think there have been two times in the six years that I've been doing this that I've had something to eat. Both times were when I had never made the recipe before (I know, I'm SO BRAVE) and wondered what it tasted like.

I always ask for a glass of water before I start the show. . .I drink that throughout.

I don't eat dinner before I go. . .I eat when I get home.

Ditto, exactly here! I don't eat unless I wanted to taste test a recipe and usually it's with a host I know and after everyone has eaten ofcourse ! If it's a stranger of a host then Never!

They always offer a drink so I do take either water, soda or alcohal depending on how well I know the host.

 

[chefann]

Generally, I don't eat at my shows. I'm there to work, not to party with the guests. I use the excuse that I want to make sure there's enough for all the guests.

 

[pamperedbecky]

If I'm friends with the host or I've done multiple shows with her, then I may eat something as I'm cleaning up and pretty much everyone is gone. Otherwise, I find I don't really have time to. I do usually accept a glass of water or something. Again, if it's a friend, I may have a glass of wine if she offers it.

 

[KellyTheChef]

I answered it depends on what's there...but I mean it depends on the host and the crowd. There have been shows where I just felt "included" and I knew that if I turned down their offer to sit down and eat with them, I would offend them.

Mostly, though, I don't eat unless I know them very well.

I do ask for water, though, if they don't offer me a drink. My throat gets really dry when talking so much. (I don't think they are being rude by not offering me a drink...I think they are caught up in their show and everyone showing up soon and they forget!!)

 

[Chef_2_Four]

The only time I eat at a show is if it is offered and all of the guests have eaten what they want. I am not a guest and don't want to take away from them.

 

[raebates]

I answered in the negative. I won't say that I've never had a nibble, but I'm working. I'm eating. Neither of those is conducive to eating. Also, I'm diabetic. I watch my food times and quantities very carefully. I eat before the show so I won't bottom out with low blood sugar. After I'm done talking, before I start taking orders, I'll get a glass of water (or, occasionally, soda).If anyone asks why I'm not eating, I explain very briefly about the diabetes. Through the years I've discovered that this explanation leads to fewer "oh, but you need to try a few bites of ___________" comments.

 

[janetupnorth]

I'm with a lot - I answered it depends.

I usually make a habit to NOT eat at all, but when a host has taken time to prepare a lot of food and asks me more than once to please eat something, I don't want them to feel hurt that I didn't. I usually take a VERY small sampling though.

I will take something to drink when offered as I usually head from work straight to a show and am thirsty by the time I'm done.

I hate the awkwardness of trying to talk to customers and/or eat so even when "persuaded" to eat, like I said above, it is VERY small portions and I try to wait until everyone has checked out.

I have once :blushing: made a recipe for the first time at a show and I had to see if it was as good as they all said!

 

[smarteez2]

I doBut I usually buy the ingrediants, so after everyone has their fill, I will have a small amount, if I am hungry at the time that is. And yes if there is leftover, whish is rare, I offer them to the host or else I will take them home.

 

[Gina M]

I tend to get too busy with the show to ever eat anything - I'll usually eat something before I go anyhow. However, if I don't at least drink something during the show - I usually am pretty parched afterwards and always appreciate hosts that offer me a can of pop. If I know that host well - I may eat something as I'm cleaning up usually after most of the guests have left.

 

[PChefPEI]

For me, it depends on who's show I'm doing. If it's a relative and people I know, I will join in and eat. Sometimes, the host really insists that you mingle with the crowd and have something to eat, so I usually do. But, of course, that's just the kind of environment I live in here.....anywhere you go, you HAVE to eat!!! LOL

 

[pamperedlinda]

Most of my hosts usually make something that really looks good and I always want to give their recipe a try. Usually I don't get a bite until I'm done taking orders though. Many times I've had a host fix me a plate and bring it to me and also fix me a to go plate to bring home.

 

[ChefBeckyD]

I chose "No".....although there have been a few exceptions. I'm almost always too busy to eat, plus I do Weight Watchers, so it's just easier to not eat so I don't have to deal with the points.ETA: I have been known to stop by McD's on my way home (when I have a long drive) for a non-fat Latte, though!

 

[heatherkiss]

Oh nono no! I eat (not much) and drink! It's a party make it feel like you are a part of the party. I am sooooo not uptight about it.If everyone is yumming it up I've got to taste the item! Besides most of my parties have plenty of food. I bring one item already made. And the host buys ingredient for two different things.My last host also was prepping the same time I prepped. She made a couple of her own PC recipes. Bless her heart!

 

[StacieB]

I said no, but will try something at the end after everyone has left or the host asks me to have something.

 

[bethsbiz]

I rarely eat at shows unless the host is a good friend/relative. I do accept the offer of a beverage.

When I started, my recruiter trained me to only eat if there was enough left over, to make sure the guests and host had plenty. Fortunately, my first several shows were big shows...and consequently, food ran out. I just got in the habit of not eating. Now, it is more a habit than a rule.

 

[Teresa Lynn]

I can only remember twice I've eaten and that was because the host insisted, one said I took your keys and you don't leave until you've eaten. she had tons of food and had made me a plate. It was Saturday afternoon in the middle of the boonies (about 3 hours form home) so I ate so I could get home before dark.
the other was last month past consultant who wanted me to try her wine cake it was yummy she was flattered I asked her to share the recipe.

 

[missyciccolella]

I don't eat at all. I want the guests to have more than enough to eat, and to be honest, I don't want bad breath from the onions or garlic that is in the recipe. My guests eat as they walk in the door so I'm talking while they eat. I do drink water through out the show.

Now having said that, I just listened to training CD on the Hispanic Market, and if I have a Hispanic Host I will have to eat - according to the speaker, food is very important culturally, and I wouldn't want to offend the host by not eating!

 

[chefpenny99]

I also marked no. But like many others have posted, if it is a group that I know really well, I will eat at the very end when we're sitting around visiting.

 

[hperschnick]

I put it depends. My shows are usually right after work and I don't have time to eat before I go, so I usually just put a little bit on a plate and set it back, finish my talk and then check people out. If they are all really visiting, etc. I will take a few bites but I will eat when I'm done checking everyone out. And I don't have a drink during my shows... During my 2nd show I spilled my water (because I was nervous and not paying attention to it) so, no drinks for me... I know my limits!

 

[GeorgiaPeach]

And I don't have a drink during my shows... During my 2nd show I spilled my water (because I was nervous and not paying attention to it) so, no drinks for me... I know my limits!

I don't drink during the show either. Since most of my shows are done on card tables and I usually use the food chopper.........you get the picture I tend to knock two or three things over during my show anyway (!) so, unless it has a sippy lid , no drinks for me!

 

[kearstin]

I put depends also. Most of the time I don't, but I've had guests or hosts joke that there must be something wrong with the food if I won't eat it! I try to jokingly say that if I would pack on too many extra pounds if I ate at all my shows. But, if I know the host sometimes I'll eat a small amount of whatever the recipe was. I guess I just play it by ear.

 

[Brandi2007]

Sometimes they force me to! LOL But as a rule NO I don't eat there. I am busy collecting orders and cleaning up anyway.