How do you prepare for a cooking demo?

1 Choose your recipe

The first step is to choose a recipe that suits your purpose, audience, and time limit. You want to pick something that is relevant, interesting, and achievable. For example, if you are doing a demo for a beginner class, you might want to choose a simple but tasty dish that teaches some basic techniques. If you are doing a demo for a festive occasion, you might want to choose a seasonal or themed recipe that showcases your creativity. If you are doing a demo for a limited time, you might want to choose a recipe that can be done in one pot or pan, or that has some steps that can be done ahead of time.

2 Plan your equipment and ingredients

The next step is to plan what equipment and ingredients you will need for your demo. You want to make sure you have everything you need, and that it is clean, organized, and accessible. For example, you might want to have a list of all the equipment and ingredients you will use, and check them off as you pack them or set them up. You might also want to have some extra equipment and ingredients in case of emergencies, such as a spare knife, a backup burner, or some substitutions. You might also want to label your ingredients and containers, and arrange them in the order of use.

3 Practice your presentation

The third step is to practice your presentation. You want to make sure you are comfortable and confident with your recipe, your equipment, and your speech. For example, you might want to rehearse your demo several times, either by yourself or with a friend or colleague. You might also want to time yourself, and adjust your pace and content accordingly. You might also want to prepare some notes or cues, such as the main points, the tips and tricks, or the questions and answers you want to cover.

4 Engage your audience

The fourth step is to engage your audience. You want to make sure you are not just cooking, but also teaching, entertaining, and interacting. For example, you might want to start with a brief introduction of yourself, your recipe, and your goals. You might also want to use eye contact, gestures, and humor to keep your audience's attention. You might also want to ask questions, solicit feedback, or invite volunteers to participate in your demo.

5 Handle challenges

The fifth step is to handle any challenges that might arise during your demo. You want to make sure you are prepared and flexible for any unexpected situations, such as technical difficulties, accidents, or mistakes. For example, you might want to have a backup plan in case your equipment fails, your ingredients spoil, or your recipe goes wrong. You might also want to have some emergency supplies, such as a first aid kit, a fire extinguisher, or some extra water. You might also want to stay calm, positive, and professional, and use humor, honesty, or improvisation to deal with any challenges.

6 Wrap up and follow up

The final step is to wrap up and follow up your demo. You want to make sure you end your demo on a high note, and that you leave a lasting impression on your audience. For example, you might want to summarize your main points, thank your audience, and invite them to taste your dish. You might also want to provide some handouts, recipes, or resources for your audience to take home. You might also want to collect some feedback, evaluations, or testimonials from your audience, and use them to improve your future demos.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?