What's the Best Way to Help a Host Choose Three Recipes?

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Discussion Overview

The thread discusses strategies for helping a host select three recipes for an upcoming show, with participants sharing their experiences and suggestions on managing recipe choices and show dynamics.

Discussion Character

  • Opinion-based
  • Anecdotal
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant, identifying as a consultant, shares their experience of communicating with a host who wanted multiple recipes, expressing concern about the complexity of preparing three dishes.
  • Another participant suggests clarifying to the host that they can choose only one of the proposed menus to avoid confusion.
  • Several users mention the idea of having the host prepare one recipe in advance to streamline the show.
  • One participant notes the importance of managing expectations, stating that guests may expect a certain format based on the host's show.
  • Another participant shares their approach of selecting a recipe of the month to simplify the process and maintain focus.
  • One participant emphasizes the need to keep the demo engaging by limiting the number of recipes to prevent guests from losing interest.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ on how to approach the situation, with some participants advocating for limiting the number of recipes while others suggest accommodating the host's preferences. No clear consensus emerges.

Contextual Notes

Participants share personal experiences and strategies based on their interactions with hosts, reflecting a variety of approaches to recipe selection and show management.

Who May Find This Useful

Consultants looking for insights on managing recipe choices and show dynamics may find the shared experiences helpful.

twopamperedchefs
twopamperedchefs
Messages
85
I have been communicating with a host via email because she's been out of state for 2 weeks. I emailed her menus we could do at an upcoming show....one menu was for a skinny dipping show where we do 3 dips, the other menu was a Halloween theme (Tomato Basil Scares and Great Pumpkin Trifle or Great Pumpkin Microwave Cake). The host wanted the skinny dipping menu originally, but I emailed her yesterday to tell her I had new options for her as well - the spinach carbonara pizza (which I had just tried) or the 30 minute chicken show (I just got my DCB). I guess I should have been clearer that I meant the spinach pizza to be a sub for the basil square because now the host wants 3 things...2 dips AND the spinach pizza! That's an awful lot! The dips are easy...it's the cool choc. fondue from All the Best, and a bean dip made in stoneware. Still, I don't want to make 3 things! Should I suggest she makes the fondue before I get there? Any other suggestions on how to coach her down to 2 recipes...like maybe just the pizza and the choc. dip. I can't imagine bean/salsa dip is going to mix well with spinach pizza and chocolate anyway! :yuck:
 
Just email her back and tell her that she might have misunderstood - she has option 1 OR option 2 OR option 3 - not all three. Joke that no one likes a 4 hour show!!
 
Ok, you gave this host wayyyy too many choices, so of course she wants it all.
Send her the recipe for the bean dip, and have her make it ahead of time. If she does not have the stoneware, oh well. She'll find a way to improvise, or decide it is not worth it.
You could do the chocolate dip while the pizza is in the oven, but I am not familiar w/ the recipe, so I do not know how involved it is. Are you doing interactive? Can the choc dip be made by a guest while you talk up other items? I do this w/ the choc lava cake -- have a guest mix the cake as I talk about the cookware or silicone stuff.
 
Or you could do what Dor said :thumbup:.:)
 
remember what you do at her show her friends will expect at their shows
 
You might want to try offering ONE recipe a month that is based on the month's special that you want to book. For example, my recipe last month was the Creamy One Pot Pasta because I wanted more September bookings AND I used the Dots Large Bowl to serve it in for October bookings. This month I'm doing Chicken Power Cooking using the stoneware so I get November bookings. November is the 30 minute chicken (not a recipe IMHO, but I wanted to continue to show off the DCB) and a trifle to get December bookings.
 
Let her know if she wants all three, you can give her the recipes for two of them and then you'll make one for her show.
 
If it was me - I would email/phone her back to say ' sorry to confuse you. I only do 1 demo at a Show. So lets do the XXX (one of her choices). If you STILL want the XXX (other choices), then I can send you the recipe and feel free to make it ahead of time! :)
 
  • Thread starter
  • #9
I'm going to call her tonight and try the joking line about the 4 hour show. Thanks for all the tips!
 
This is what I say to Hosts: " I know people like me, but most don't want to spend the entire evening with me, so my rule of thumb is 1 recipe for 10 people, if you have more than that, we'll add in something quick and easy" Two birds with one stone, she tries to get more people, I let her know what is 'normal'.
 
Ooh- I like that wording. :)
 
twopamperedchefs said:
I have been communicating with a host via email because she's been out of state for 2 weeks. I emailed her menus we could do at an upcoming show....one menu was for a skinny dipping show where we do 3 dips, the other menu was a Halloween theme (Tomato Basil Scares and Great Pumpkin Trifle or Great Pumpkin Microwave Cake). The host wanted the skinny dipping menu originally, but I emailed her yesterday to tell her I had new options for her as well - the spinach carbonara pizza (which I had just tried) or the 30 minute chicken show (I just got my DCB). I guess I should have been clearer that I meant the spinach pizza to be a sub for the basil square because now the host wants 3 things...2 dips AND the spinach pizza! That's an awful lot! The dips are easy...it's the cool choc. fondue from All the Best, and a bean dip made in stoneware. Still, I don't want to make 3 things! Should I suggest she makes the fondue before I get there? Any other suggestions on how to coach her down to 2 recipes...like maybe just the pizza and the choc. dip. I can't imagine bean/salsa dip is going to mix well with spinach pizza and chocolate anyway! :yuck:
Click to expand...

Like another cheffer said.. way too many choices. I have found that my life is so much easier when I pick the recipe of the month and go with that.

I would suggest coaching her that three recipes would make too long a demo and her guests would loose interest.
 

Frequently Asked Questions

What factors should I consider when helping a host choose recipes?

When helping a host choose recipes, consider factors such as the season, the dietary preferences of the guests, the cooking skills of the host, and the available kitchen equipment. Additionally, think about the time available for preparation and cooking, as well as the types of products you want to showcase from Pampered Chef.

How can I ensure the recipes are appealing to all guests?

To ensure the recipes are appealing to all guests, it's important to include a variety of options that cater to different tastes and dietary restrictions. Consider including a mix of appetizers, main dishes, and desserts, and ask the host about any specific dietary needs, such as vegetarian, gluten-free, or nut-free options.

What are some popular recipes that work well for Pampered Chef parties?

Some popular recipes that work well for Pampered Chef parties include the Classic Lasagna, Chicken Enchiladas, and Chocolate Lava Cake. These recipes are not only delicious but also allow for the demonstration of various Pampered Chef tools and techniques, making them engaging for guests.

How can I help the host choose recipes that showcase Pampered Chef products?

To help the host choose recipes that showcase Pampered Chef products, suggest recipes that require the use of specific tools or gadgets, such as the Food Chopper, Stoneware, or the Quick Slice. Highlight how these products can simplify the cooking process and enhance the final dish, making it more appealing to guests.

What if the host is unsure about which recipes to choose?

If the host is unsure about which recipes to choose, offer to provide a list of tried-and-true favorites along with descriptions and photos. You can also suggest hosting a tasting party where guests can sample different recipes, allowing the host to gauge preferences before finalizing the selections.

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