Food Demonstrator

Working Schedule

• Food Demonstrators often work part-time and may have shifts during weekdays, weekends, or evenings. Travel to different retail locations or event venues may be necessary.

Typical Duties

• Learn details and key selling points about the products and recipes to be promoted
• Outline the workflow for the intended presentation or demo. Create supply lists
• Rehearse presentations in advance (depending on the complexity)
  
  Establish contact with venues where demonstrations will be done. Review plans, schedules, seating options (if applicable), and any special equipment needed
• Procure any perishable goods and ensure suitable refrigeration is available
• Pack all items and travel to work sites. Set up and maintain clean, attractive product sampling stations such as tables, carts, or booths
• Bring sufficient samples and ingredients, seasoning, sauces, measuring cups, serving plates, bowls, drinking or sample-holder cups, plastic wrap, napkins, spoons, forks, knives, cutting boards, bain maries, toothpicks, waste baskets, trash bags, tablecloths, cleaning supplies, pen and paper, etc.
• Cook, prepare, plate, and serve food samples, following safe food handling protocols
• Use food preparation applications such as microwaves, skillets, fryers, knives, etc.
• Ensure availability of a power source and electrical extension cord, if needed for appliances
• Engage with store customers in a friendly manner and answer their questions
• Effectively convey key talking points as outlined in advance by marketers
• Maintain a clean and sterile station using cleaning products and chemicals, as needed. Clean up messes and remove trash items
• Collect customer feedback and report food demonstration results to marketing teams
• Offer product coupons or other information

Additional Responsibilities

• Maintain relations with staff at the hosting establishment
• Train new Food Demonstrators and assistants
• Present a positive, professional appearance and demeanor during demonstrations
• Tear down sampling stations and store or transport them
• Manage inventory. Turn in or dispose of unused samples. Complete expense reports

Soft Skills

• Customer service
• Effective communications
• Enthusiasm
• Independence
• Initiative
• Monitoring skills  
• Motivation
• Organization
• Reliability
• Responsibility
• Safety consciousness
• Sales skills
• Sound judgment
• Stamina
• Time management

Technical Skills

• Food and beverage product knowledge
• Safe food handling and preparation to ensure food is stored, prepared, and served safely to prevent foodborne illnesses
• Allergen awareness
• Composting of food waste
• Setup and teardown of display areas, equipment, tables, carts, etc.
• Inventory management
• Sales techniques
• Sanitation practices
• Scheduling
• Use of electrical cooking appliances such as microwaves, skillets, and fryers
• Safe use of kitchen knives and serving utensils. Use of measuring cups and tools
• Operating motor vehicle 

• Grocery stores
• Large retailers and wholesale outlets
• Malls
• Food expos and festivals
• Wineries
• Convenience stores

Food Demonstrators must have extensive knowledge of the products they showcase, including ingredients, potential allergens, and product benefits. But that’s only half of their role! They’re essentially salespeople, so they need to be engaging speakers who can get attention, get shoppers to try samples, and hopefully boost product purchases.

Food Demonstrators might work irregular shifts, including weekends, evenings, and holidays. It can be physically demanding at times because the job involves standing for long periods. Also, they may have to travel from one location to another, which means constantly packing and unpacking supplies, tearing down and setting up their tables, and moving around a lot. This requires planning and a commitment to sanitation and food safety, too.

Many jobs in this field are only part-time, seasonal, or temporary, so it may not be a viable option for everyone. In addition, there are limited opportunities for career growth. However, Food Demonstrators gain a ton of valuable, first-hand sales experience via frequent customer interaction—which can be rewarding on its own and beneficial for other careers in sales and marketing! 

In the food demonstration industry, there is a noticeable shift towards promoting products that cater to healthier lifestyles. Sustainability is also a hot topic with more focus on products made using sustainable practices or that feature eco-friendly packaging.

Another trend is that Food Demonstrators are using tablets and other devices to engage customers and provide more product information. In fact, there’s an overall push to make demonstrations more like interactive, personalized experiences that can better drive sales.

Many Food Demonstrators have a lifelong passion for cooking or baking, often sparked by family traditions. They may love social interaction and meeting new people. Backgrounds in retail, sales, or performing arts can also lead naturally into the role.