1 How to Give a Food Demonstration Recommended to Arkansans by Easter H Tucker Associate Professor – Family and Consumer Sciences Specialist Originally developed by Barbara Brown, Ph.D., R.D./L.D. Food Specialist Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service

2 Keys to a Good Demonstration Know what you want to accomplish Research Demonstrate to reinforce the objective Organize and practice

3 Keys to a Good Demonstration Be sure everyone can see Introduce the topic Involve the audience Review objective(s) Make it your own

4 Know Your Goal Educate –Awareness –Knowledge –Action

5 Know Your Goal Promote –Programs –Products Combination

6 Number of Points to Cover Time available Audience –Age –Background Your own knowledge level –Research –Experience

7 Research: The Topic Topic –Information accurate & current –Usable by audience –Not already known –Builds on past meetings –Narrowed to fit audience & time

8 Research: The Audience The more you know the better Age, gender, skill & knowledge level, economic status

9 Research: Location Type of setting –Formal or relaxed How far away –May impact food safety Get directions Audience –Hear and see presenter FoodDemoToday

10 Research: Help Available Presentation help –Will they need training Help to unload –Before –After

11 Research: The Equipment What is available &/or usable on site –Water, refrigeration, electricity, gas, table, oven, etc. –Audio Visual –Presentation Easels Place to hang teaching materials

12 Food Demonstration Reinforce key points –Choose techniques & recipes to get point across (Ex: Dont premeasure when teaching measuring is the goal) Keep it simple

13 The Food Should smell great –Try to let participants sample Should taste wonderful Be colorful & garnished Show finished product

14 Be an Example Safe food handling behavior Good nutrition choices Good posture Speak clearly & slowly Use good grammar Avoid nervous twitches & habits How you eat

15 How to Dress Look professional Comfortable, neat, & clean Finger nails clean & natural Quiet makeup Little or no jewelry Gloves (Disposable) Aprons (pressed & clean)

16 Organize Training Materials Select recipes & techniques to demonstrate –Done ahead –In stages –All at once Make lists of items needed –Equipment and supplies –Notes and handouts –Food

17 Organizing Food Items Buy food day before the training Consider the food safety factors

18 Often Forgotten Potholders Timer Spoons/knives Cutting board Serving equipment Extension cord and adapters Appliance cords Sampling utensils/plates/ cups Tablecloth Trays Paper towels

19 Equipment Know how to use it Will audience have access to same equipment at home –Suggest substitutions

20 Demonstration Tips Use correct equipment for each task Use clear bowls & pans when possible Use trays –Notes on tray include: Recipes Talking points Cover table

21 Demonstration Tips Scrape bowls & pans clean with rubber scrapper Remove any extra pieces of equipment & food Put dirty equipment on a tray Keep table clean and clear

22 Demonstration Tips Wooden spoons are quieter than metal A damp cloth under bowls holds them steady & cuts noise Tip bowls & pans for viewing –Hold bowls from bottom –Be careful not to spill Dont talk while using noisy equipment Spill it? Dont use it

23 Demonstration Tips Tilt pan lids away from face Place lids upside down on table Have waste basket beneath demonstration table End with finished product

24 Double Check, Triple Check During practice Before you leave Before the demonstration

25 Practice Frees mind to do 2 things at once Posture Grammar Vocabulary Facial expressions

26 How much practice? As often as you can: –With food & equipment –Before a mirror –Get critiqued

27 Everyone Needs to See Tilted bowls & pans Small groups up close Posters Video camera connected to monitor Pictures on PowerPoint Other ideas?

28 The Demonstration: Involve the Audience Make eye contact Smile Talk while working Ask questions Answer questions Use humor Ask for help: –With timing –Following recipes –Distributing handouts

29 Expect the Unexpected Be prepared Be flexible Enjoy the experience Learn from each demonstration Let your personality show through

30 Introduce Topic & Review Objectives Smile Prepare an introduction –Story or a joke Put audience at ease No more than 2- 3 minutes Tell what you will teach Teach Tell what you taught

31 Sample Demonstration Canned Tomato Salsa

32 Canned Tomato Salsa 15-ounce can diced tomatoes –drain & reserve liquid 1/2 onion, finely chopped 1 pepper, finely chopped 1 clove garlic, minced 2 tablespoons cilantro, chopped 1/2 teaspoon cumin Juice of 1/2 lime

33 Review Know what you want to accomplish Research Demonstrate to reinforce the objective Organize Practice Be sure all can see Introduce the topic Involve the audience Review the objectives Make it your own

34 Any Questions?? Recommended to Arkansans by Easter H Tucker Associate Professor – Family and Consumer Sciences Specialist Originally developed by Barbara Brown, Ph.D., R.D./L.D. Food Specialist Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service