What types of stations should I have for my New Product Kick-off party?

[mrssyvo]

I am having a New Product Kick-off in my home on Tuesday. I have decided not to do a cooking demo/but instead have "stations" for everyone to go to. I will be giving doorprize tickets out for everything from bringing an outside order, booking a show, signing on, ect. My question is, what kinds of stations should I create? A lot of people coming have been to my shows before, but I have never done a "hands-on" show before, so I thought I would have a "tool-time" station, so they can try out the US&G, chopper, knives, ect, I am also going to have the easy-read measuring cups out, with colored water in quick-stir pitcher, to try and I will be making the appetizer and dessert recipes from the new Season's best. I am also creating a "book-to-look" board and table of recruiting info. My goal is not so much show totals (but that would be nice) but bookings for Spring and recruit leads. Any other ideas?

 

[medhatterchef]

stations...I did this a couple weeks ago, I set out a plate (simple additons) and then had the tool on the plate and prep bowls with the stuff to demo with beside. The stations I set up were:

Microplane grater - had lemons to zest and ginger to grate

Garlic press

Chopper on cutting board - with broccoli to chop up

Cooks corer and crinkle cutter (could add the peeler and zester/scorer too) - with cucumbers and carrots to make the cucumber carrots

Bamboo board and serrated bread knife - with bread to cut then I had the Basil blend oil and balsamic vinegar in a simple additions platter for dipping

Citrus press - lemons and limes

Egg slicer plus - mushrooms, celery (slice part way thru then stick them in cold water and the sliced ends curl up and look pretty!)

I don't have the US&G but that would have been a good one too!

Good luck!

-h

 

[mrssyvo]

These were some great ideas. Thank you

 

[varga11]

Ice cream barI did a make your own sundae bar once. It was a big hit. They use the ice cream dipper, the chopper for nuts with cutting board, I made hot fudge in the saute pan with the classic scraper (I demoed this), adjustable spoons for sprinkles, the EAD for whipped topping, bamboo spoons to pull the cherries out of the jar, the grater to grate chocolate on top. I am sure there are tons of other things you could add to your sundae to show off products.
I made the hot sauce and then made a sundae for the host so I could show how to use the products. You wouldn't have to do that at your show just rotate around to make sure your guest know what they are doing.

Now I have a question. I asked another thread but never received an answer. Can you explain the book to look board?

 

[medhatterchef]

book to lookI've never done this, but I have a bridal fair this weekend and might try it. What I gather is that you make a "Book to look" board and have 4 or 5 envelopes or flaps on it that have a special gift inside, and you can pick (look) at one if you book a show. Gifts are about $10-15 value and they get the gift when they have their show - you actually add it directly to their order but you pay for it.

-h

 

[mrssyvo]

Yes, that is correct, in fact, I am just now getting redy to put mine together. I bought a display board, that is a tri-fold. 1 part of it will be book to look, and I will put up envelopes decorated with numbers, and insife will be a picture cut out from the catalog. I will have about 8 envelopes.
The rest of the board I will put up the hostess benefits for the next few months and also some recruitng information.

 

[varga11]

I thought so...That is what I gathered from the other posting. Thanks for clarifiing!