Who Should Buy Ingredients for Cooking Shows?

[pchefmomof2]

I shop for my Hosts and I do it 2 times a month! I shop in bulk that way it is cheaper for my Hosts when it comes time for them to reimburse me! I shop for the first 2 weeks at one time then for the last 2 weeks at one time and it really works out great for me.

I have not had one Host complain about the way I do this. All they have to do is get me their invitation list and clean their house that is it. Why would you not like it?

I do have a set menu for the month and that is what I work with and my Hosts are okay with that. If I need to do a specialty show then that Host will of course have to pay for that ingredients alone and they are aware of that upfront. By bulk shopping I save my Host's a lot of money. It will usually end up costing each of them anywhere between $12-$15 at the most and this usually covers up to 2 recipes. (not always 2 recipes though). I just have them pay me for the ingredients at the time we close their show by adding the cost to their order so they don't have to write more than one check.

On the plus side for me as the Consultant, I know that I have ALL the ingredients, I can have some of the prep work done ahead of time before I even leave my house and this allows me time to talk with my Host at her/his home before our guests start arriving because I have the prep work done!!! This may not work for everyone but for me is works out very well and I will continue to do it!

 

[pcheflena]

Buying the ingredientsI love the idea of buying the ingredients as another added benefit to the host, but those of you who have the host reimburse you - what do you say to them about it? I would feel uncomfortable asking them to pay me, but I think it's fair that they do, so how do I approach that?

 

[pampered1224]

I have been for years!I had a terrble mix up at a show once because the host did not buy three of the correct items needed for the recipe. It was my own fault because the list I made up did not specify whether the olives needed to be pitted or not, what type of oil was needed and something else. Anyway, we ended up with only a partially good recipe. (It acutally tasted quite different than the original recipe did and was not as good either. The veggie oil instead of olive oil made a big difference.)
Anyway, I started doing the shopping after that.
When we introduced the new host bonus program it actually made it easier to ask the hosts for money. The $15 hospitality was put in to offset their cost of food. So I just ask for a check or cash for $15 when I get to their home.
Most of the time I go slightly over. Very rarely am I under.

Here is what I say: "Joanne, I am also going to do the food shopping. This will save you alot of time and this way too I know we have exactly what we need for the recipe. All I need from you is $15. If I go over, that's my problem. (Write it off of course!) The Pampered Chef has given each Cooking Show Host a bonus $15 for hospitality. That is for the cost of the food. So, since I am doing the shopping, I will need to get that back from you. Will that be OK?"
I have never gotten a NO from anyone. When they realize they do not have to shop, they all say YES!
Works great!