Maximizing Show Success: Exploring Recipe Ideas and Tips

hoosierchef · Feb 26, 2007

Just a little fun poll......

Based on my post asking about Recipes, I'm curious as to how many recipes eveyone does at their shows.

Please feel free to explain your answers or expand. I'm really trying to establish how I want to do my shows in the future, so any and all info is appreciated.

Thanks!

speedychef · Feb 26, 2007

I usually only do one, but if I know there's going to be a huge turnout, I'll fix a quickie second or bring something already prepared. I know some people say, "if you have 15 confirmed guests, I'll bring dessert." I don't have a set number, but if I really think my host has been working hard, or there's a special product that I want to show off, I'll bring an extra with me.

jenniferknapp · Feb 26, 2007

Usually, I bring one prepared and make another for the demo.

raebates · Feb 26, 2007

I chose "other" because I usually don't do a recipe at the show. I bring one ready to eat and take guests on a walk through the catalog.

janetupnorth · Feb 26, 2007

Ditto Kim - planning on 1 always unless I know there will be a huge crowd. For Wed. I am doing the Aloha Pizza, but having the host have cake/pudding ready so I can throw together a quick banana cream truffle in front of them and show off the bowl and get them excited to book (hopefully - we'll see if the plan works).

chefann · Feb 26, 2007

I marked 2, because I sort of do 1 1/2. I have one that's almost done, and I finish that one up while the other is in the oven (if needed). I've been trying to get to one recipe, but a lot of my hosts seem to be disappointed with that, even when I emphasize that we're not feeding people, just giving them a taste.

One thing I'm trying to do for Spring is make the second recipe a drink, not a food. It seems simpler, and will make my shows a little different.

hoosierchef · Feb 26, 2007

raebates said:
I chose "other" because I usually don't do a recipe at the show. I bring one ready to eat and take guests on a walk through the catalog.

Rae...I would love to hear how you do this or how it works out.....!!!!!

raebates · Feb 26, 2007

hoosierchef said:
Rae...I would love to hear how you do this or how it works out.....!!!!!

I use the first 15 minutes or so of a show for people to get food and socialize. During my "demo" I simply go page-by-page through the catalog, playing the "Have it! Love It! Got a question!" game.

It's working well for me. It's very interactive. Also, I've discovered that if I give the guests some time to talk and let them get a little something in their tummies, they pay more attention to me.

mrssyvo · Feb 26, 2007

I have downsized to 1 recipe (unless it is a BIG show, then I bring one prepared also) and I have not noticed a decrease in sales, etc, and it is much easier on me, I can concentrate on booking and recruiting.

Jilleysue · Feb 26, 2007

I absolutely love the way, I have worked two into my show...I start my show..introduce myself....do the whole thing about what they have on their laps and then fill the flute pan with the batter for the cake. Then I ask how long they think it will take me to bake that cake? Of course we all know it's an 11 minute microwave cake ( which ever one I choose). I shove it into the microwave..and bam...that recipe is out of my way.

I can start my second main recipe and be neat organized and on top of my game with everything else...feeling as though I am only doing one recipe. When that timer goes off...I just pull that cake out..let it cool and it just sits until I am done with my recipe and I get to the simple additions and cookware part...which is where I can put my cake on my simple additions and show how pretty it looks...spinkle with some sugar..top with some cool whip. VIOLA....2 recipes.....but it felt as though..I only did one..and those flute pans just get a selling. I think I sold 3 or 4 at my last show...

lacychef · Feb 26, 2007

I usually do 2; just because that's what I saw when I started & was (& still am!) comfortable with it. I usually have one that I bake, or cook on the stove, and while it's cooking we do a dessert that's partially done & finish it off. (like a dessert pizza)

heat123 · Feb 26, 2007

speedychef said:
I usually only do one, but if I know there's going to be a huge turnout, I'll fix a quickie second or bring something already prepared. I know some people say, "if you have 15 confirmed guests, I'll bring dessert." I don't have a set number, but if I really think my host has been working hard, or there's a special product that I want to show off, I'll bring an extra with me.

I do the same. I use to offer 2 at all shows but now only 1 with the FREE micro wave cake dessert with 12-15 guests attending!

smarteez2 · Feb 26, 2007

I marked 1 but I do 2..I only demo 1 recipe at the show but as an incentive I always bring a prepared dessert, of my choice of course!!! Also I like to do the beer bread, I bake it in the hour I get there before the show so the house smells great when the guests arrive and it keeps them quiet while I proceed with the show and it gives them a chance to taste how great our bread is!!

mommyhugz1978 · Mar 1, 2007

I usually do one... and depending on how the show is going sometimes I do the micro cake in the micro cooker......

DebbieJ · Mar 1, 2007

raebates said:
I use the first 15 minutes or so of a show for people to get food and socialize. During my "demo" I simply go page-by-page through the catalog, playing the "Have it! Love It! Got a question!" game.

It's working well for me. It's very interactive. Also, I've discovered that if I give the guests some time to talk and let them get a little something in their tummies, they pay more attention to me.

I'm having a spring kick off show at my house on Saturday to showcase new stuff (and earn the HWC promo) and this is EXACTLY what I'm going to do! Thanks for sharing, Rae!

I think this is also a great strategy for weeknight shows when people are hesitant to come out and sit through a demo.

fruit76loop · Mar 1, 2007

1 prepared and 1 demo!! This way people can have dessert...for awhile I only did the one, and I would hear people's dissappointment when there was no dessert!

and no it wasn't me complainin!!

ChefBeckyD · Mar 2, 2007

fruit76loop said:
1 prepared and 1 demo!! This way people can have dessert...for awhile I only did the one, and I would hear people's dissappointment when there was no dessert! and no it wasn't me complainin!!

That's what I do too - and for the same reason! Plus - if I didn't have a dessert, the host would often go ALL OUT with her own dessert, and it overshadowed what I was doing.....and I didn't want a non-PC dessert stealing my thunder!

So I usually have it done ahead, and just garnish/finish at the show. I've been making a Strawberry Cheesecake Trifle, and finishing it off with a few strawberries for garnish, and some whipped topping in the EAD.

PampMomof3 · Mar 2, 2007

I ALWAYS do 2 but this month I'm trying to only do one at the show and bring the Easy Southern Trifle to my show. It's SO easy!!! And, it showcases the trifle!!! TOnight I'm doing the calzone and trifle in the rich neighborhood so we'll see how I do!!!

krzymomof4 · Mar 2, 2007

I voted other. Something I am trying is making the recipe at home and bringing it to my shows. I tried this twice and asked for feedback because for some of them this was not their first show. They said they liked talking about the products more and me just walking them through the recipes. It was a great show. My sales have been higher since I started doing this, plus they are eating while I am talking and I don't get the whole chit chat thing and trying to talk over people visiting.

raebates · Mar 2, 2007

DebbieJ said:
I'm having a spring kick off show at my house on Saturday to showcase new stuff (and earn the HWC promo) and this is EXACTLY what I'm going to do! Thanks for sharing, Rae!

I think this is also a great strategy for weeknight shows when people are hesitant to come out and sit through a demo.

Glad to help. I want to warn you, though, that the show isn't really any shorter. My shows, depending on the number of people and the level of participation, run about 1 hour from when I start talking to when I finish. Many people tell me it seems shorter because they're involved, though.

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