What do you do when your host forgets the ingredients for the cooking show?

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Discussion Overview

The thread discusses experiences and strategies related to hosts forgetting ingredients for cooking shows. Participants share personal anecdotes about how they handled such situations and the approaches they take to ensure that ingredients are available for their shows.

Discussion Character

  • Anecdotal, Opinion-based

Main Points Raised

  • One participant, identifying as a consultant, shared an experience where a host forgot all the ingredients, but they were able to salvage the situation by bringing their own supplies.
  • Another participant mentioned that they have not experienced a host forgetting ingredients but have encountered hosts buying the wrong items.
  • Several users noted that they now purchase ingredients themselves to alleviate stress for their hosts, often charging a set fee for the groceries.
  • One participant described a situation where they had to run to the store for a host who had not prepared, resulting in a stressful but ultimately successful show.
  • Another participant shared that they confirm with hosts the day before the show to ensure they have the ingredients, reducing the likelihood of forgetfulness.
  • Some participants mentioned that they offer to buy ingredients upfront and provide receipts, which has been well-received by their hosts.
  • One participant highlighted a strategy of offering a discount on grocery costs based on attendance, which has positively impacted show attendance.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ on whether to rely on hosts to provide ingredients or to take on the responsibility of purchasing them. Some participants have adopted the practice of buying ingredients, while others still expect hosts to manage this aspect.

Contextual Notes

Participants have varying lengths of experience in the business, with some having been consultants for over five years. The discussions reflect personal experiences rather than official practices.

Who May Find This Useful

Consultants looking for strategies to manage ingredient procurement for cooking shows may find these shared experiences helpful.

dianevill
dianevill
Gold Member
Messages
2,499
Last Saturday I had a lady book a show, and she wanted it for today (that's the shortest lead time I've ever had for a cooking show). Not much time to host coach, but she called all her guests and I sent the invitations on Monday morning. I mailed her the ingredients as she doesn't have a computer, and I called her yesterday for the final count (10) and asked if she received the list of ingredients from me. She confirmed and said that she would get them this morning (I was going to arrive at her house at 10 am). Well, when I left the house this morning, I just had this bad feeling that she didn't get the ingredients, so I swung by the local Pick and Save and picked them up and put them in my cooler.

When I got to her house I asked her where the ingredients were, and she had that look on her face that confirmed my bad feeling. She completely forgot:eek: ! She was ready to call her neighbor to have her run to the store (and we really would have been behind - I was making the garlic bites, taco ring and turtle fudge skillet cake and was going to bake the cake before the show and have the bites baking when the guests arrive). I had a huge smile on my face, went out to the car and brought in my cooler. I have never seen a more thankful lady. The show went well - she ended up with 8 guests ordering, but they ordered a lot - over $600, and 3 bookings (not bad considering a week ago I had nothing on the calendar!) They all promised they'd have the ingredients, though ;) .

My reason for posting this, besides my announcement that I'm going to open my own psychic business (kidding), is I'm wondering if this has happened to anyone else, and if so, what did you do when you got to your host's home and there were no ingredients? I've been selling PC for over 5 years and have never had anyone forget everything (almost always there's something wrong or missing, but never this). If her neighbor would have run to the store we would have been over two hours behind!

Diane
 
Q: What do two psychics say when they meet?

A: "You're fine! How am I?"

Nice recovery!
 
in almost 3 years I haven't had a host forget the ingredients, but they have gotten the wrong stuff before. Since September 2005, I have been buying the ingredients, so now I don't worry about them not being bought.
 
No worry showI also purchase all the needed items, pre -prep then at home and bring them in the pre bowls. I do 1 recipe for the month and charge a set fee of $10.00 to $15.00 depending on what I am making. I have been doing this for a year and the guest love it. I do often hear, where did you find that ingredient. It is less stress on the host and for you. Just think about how it made you feel when you had everything you needed. Great right. I have also been doing PC for over 5 years. BTW, in March I did all FREE shows, I made the puffs and did not charge as I had every thing here and they did not take a great deal of ingredients. My motto was if you book for March I will give you a FREE show.

Darcy
 
I have started buying the groceries for my hosts as well. I've already been sendinig invites and helping them with the phone calls and my hosts have loved that. I decided to do the shopping for one of my hosts who is a friend of mine and she was so appreciative that I started offering to do the same for all of my hosts. I just tell them up front, "I'll buy the groceries for you and bring you a receipt." I look at it as one more thing I can do to make hosting a show easier for people.
 
Once i arrived at the hosts house right on time... even though i forgot a drawer full of stuff and had to run home -which took me an extra 20 minutes...when I got there she was still cleaning and told me she hadn't gone to the grocery store yet! So she gave me the money and also asked me to get Coke, chips, etc... after getting everything down to the cinnamon and peanut butter(though she may already have had those)... the mney was a couple dollars short - which I had to make up the difference... Plus it was at a grocery store I wasn't familiar with since it wasn't near me...ARRGG... STRESSFUL!!! But I hussled and got it ready, and ended up with 2 or 3 bookings, which those lead to a string of bookings... so it was well worth the stress.

That was in my first 6 months... 5 years later... (knock on wood) it hasn't happened again.
HOSTESS COACH ... hostess coach...hostess coach... !!
I did have a host on our last phone call... say "Oh! I have to buy the ingredients??!"... well,... why do you think I sent the list to you?? I didn't say that, but... ahhh... oh well, we quickly changed the recipes to something with few groceries (Taco Ring and Cool/Creamy Choc. Fondue) and it was a hit! The guest loved, it and I found how much I loved doing the Fondue recipe.. perfect for hot summer shows!
Got two bookings too!

I may ask my future hosts if they would like to buy the ingredients, or if they want me to do it and they pay me back - give them the option. Because, like I said earlier, I bought peanut butter and cinnamon...something she had to pay for and may already have had it. Do you all give them the list and ask them if there is some of those ingredients that they already have, then you don't buy those?
 
Call Call CallIf my show is a brunch, I call the day before and ask her if she got her ingredients that I have already mailed and emailed to her. That way she has both in case something goes wrong with her computer and for 24 cents I just send a postcard with all the ingredients. She takes that to the store with her and we are ready to go.

If my show is in the evening I call her that morning to confirm her ingredients.

I had one host forget a few things and another one left it behind at the grocery store. Both times one of the guests was her sister or good friend and they stopped at the store to get the ingredients and the bag.

I just did the demo for the dessert, and we played a game for an ice breaker. We talked about the products and it was fun.

Debbie
 
Darcy said:
I also purchase all the needed items, pre -prep then at home and bring them in the pre bowls. I do 1 recipe for the month and charge a set fee of $10.00 to $15.00 depending on what I am making. Darcy
Click to expand...


I've been doing this also. I have a set amount of $10 for the show food and tell my hosts to just plan on providing what ever kind of drinks they'd like. At least if they forget that, they'd at least have water!!;)
 
I also buy the ingredients , i cant tell you how maey times people would buy garlic in a jar ! So now i just buy it and ask for $10.00 for the food. I havent had any complaints and at least i know what i need will be there !
 
If you have a set price of $10.00 do you still show them the receipt? I think that buying the ingredients is a good idea. I might give it a try I think it is less work for the host and they would love it.
 
I've started bringing ingredients, too. It's taken a LOAD of stress off of me. Not only do I not have to worry about having the ingredients, let alone the right ingredients, but I don't have to spend precious before-show time prepping stuff! I can spend that time setting up and talking with the host. :)

My tactic has been to tell my hosts that I will bring all of the ingredients AND "while I do ask for reimbursement, I will take $1 off the grocery cost for every guest who comes to the show." It's done great things for my show's attendance! I've had several hosts get their ingredients completely free. :)

Now that I think about it though, I think I'll put a cap on the cost and have it go down from there. I like the idea of telling the Host that her grocery cost will top out at $15 (the Host Credit) and can only go down!
 
That's what I do. I buy the groceries and tell my host it will be $15. (I make two recipes). Anything after that I cover. I haven't had one complaint yet. I just have to make a habit of asking for it before the show otherwise I forget!
 
I have started purchasing the ingredients as well. As I also send the invitiations for my host so I have them send me a check for $15 for the ingredients with their guest list. I tell them up front that this is non refundable if they cancel their show. This has really cut back on my cancellations as well and allows me to prep at home
 

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do if my host forgets to bring the ingredients for the cooking show?

If your host forgets the ingredients, first stay calm and reassure them that it's okay. You can suggest using pantry staples or common substitutes to create a dish. If possible, you can also offer to run to a nearby store to pick up the missing items, or adjust the recipe to something that can be made with what they have on hand.

How can I prepare for a cooking show to minimize the chances of forgetting ingredients?

To minimize the chances of forgetting ingredients, create a checklist of all necessary items well in advance of the show. Share this checklist with your host a few days before the event, and encourage them to gather everything ahead of time. A quick reminder the day before can also help ensure nothing is overlooked.

What if the host can't find a substitute for a missing ingredient?

If the host can't find a substitute for a missing ingredient, consider pivoting to a different recipe that requires ingredients they have on hand. This flexibility can keep the show engaging and enjoyable, while still showcasing your cooking skills and the Pampered Chef products.

Can I still conduct the cooking show without the main ingredients?

Yes, you can still conduct the cooking show without the main ingredients by focusing on the techniques, tools, and products that you would have used. You can demonstrate how to prepare the dish conceptually, discuss the benefits of the ingredients, and engage the audience with tips and tricks related to the cooking process.

How can I help my host feel less stressed if they forget ingredients?

To help your host feel less stressed, maintain a positive and supportive attitude. Reassure them that these things happen and that the show can still be fun and informative. Offer to assist in finding alternatives or adjusting the plan, and remind them that the focus is on enjoying the experience together.

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