Well, we’ve just packed up the last bits & pieces of our stand from the Cape Town Good Food & Wine Show and before we crash into bed for our first early night in what feels like an age, we thought we’d let you all know how it went and share a few pics with you all.
Getting the lettering
In a nutshell, it was fantastic. We put in loads of effort into getting our stand just right and thanks to James Mudge (designer, craftsman and genius extraordinaire), the result was out of the top drawer. The design and construction was meticulous to the last detail: beautiful solid bamboo table tops; our bright pink logo on dark backboards and floating display boxes held together by industrial rubber bands and a large orange seat belt with not a nail or screw in sight!
Paul showing off his apron
We worked hard: from 8am to 9pm every day from Thursday to Sunday, on our feet, telling the world about Yuppiechef. And we loved it.
Definitely a future customer
We learnt many lessons, too. We now know that in future we can eat more regularly than once every eleven hours by keeping a small team cooler bag under the table filled with the odd sandwich and coke.
Shane, the original Yuppiechef
We also learnt that we took too much stock, not because were expected to sell it all (although that would have been nice) but rather, because we were unsure what would sell so tried to cover all bases. We now know a lot more about what you (our customers) like when they have our tools in front of them and next time we’ll trust our guts and will get better at choosing what we take.
One of our show specials
Most importantly for us, we met hundreds of nice, new people we really liked.
Our sexy, environmentally friendly bags (plus happy customers)
Most of them had never heard of us before (something which, surprisingly, we were over the moon about) but after spending a bit of time with us, we think they liked us, too. Whether this was because of Adam’s American accent or the ‘Kiss The Tools’ aprons we were wearing, we’ll never be sure. But we certainly made a whole lot of new friends.
No, m'am, those are poach pods!
As a team, it was fantastic to be on the stand together. Andrew kept his eye on sales and operations, Shane was consumed by the merchandising and product selection and I (I am Paul) was focussed on telling the world about who we are.
The butcher, the baker, the candlestick maker... and Adam.
We had invaluable help and guidance from Adam who worked as many long hours a day as any of us. Sarah’s planning of the show, the stand and the merchandise was brilliant. We’re going to miss you, Sarah! Jemma from Swiss Diamond was a star (no pun intended) and added necessary chocolate brownies, humour and good looks to the stand; Charise & Debbie did an incredible job, leaving their kids at home with their pets to be at the show to tell the world the Yuppiechef story. And to the team back at the office, Frank, Mike, Dale & Jason, who supported us behind the scenes: you all rock. Thank you.
Jemma working Swiss Diamond
To our suppliers, thank you so much for your support. Greg, it was great to finally meet you. Ben, we were privileged to be opposite the Le Creuset stand at the show and I am glad we had a chance to meet. Wings, FH Richelmann, Bialetti, Handle Hands, PJ Marketing and anyone else we’ve left off, we really appreciate your support. We all know that without you we would not have been able to do it the Yuppiechef way.
Some of our new friends
Thanks to the Good Food & Wine Team. Aside from the normal challenges here and there, the show was great. We know you worked hard on this. And finally, a big word of thanks to Brandon & Glen at Kikibag who turned around our awesome brown, environmentally friendly bags in a record time – you played out of your boots and the bags were a great success!
Life’s too short to flip an egg with any run-of-the-mill spatula
So now the time has come to crawl home and sleep… and sleep… and sleep. Bye for now.
Popularity: 4% [?]
Related posts:
Sorry I missed it Yuppiechefs. Was man down in an operating theatre, but glad it worked out for you.
Loved it….was there the Saturday…and always helps having good looking on yer team (hi shane)…..LOL….
Couldn’t make the GF&WS for the first time in years, but I have had a GREAT online shopping experience and LOVE my baking beans…
Good luck and more strength to you!
Dear Yuppiechefs–
what a wonderful stand you had–and how much passion and love for your job and brand show in the pictures. Very very well done.
And a HUGE thanks from KitchenAid!!!
[...] years Good Food and Wine Show in Johannesburg, with it being the last show of the year. Shows are special to us, they’re wonderful opportunities to meet SA’s yuppie chef’s but man are they [...]