Cook Culture

This used to be Ming Wo I believe, however, now it is the same items, however, different names and price adjustments that are not in the consumers favor… at least in the bakeware department. They also seem to have less accessories and seem more to focus on the big things. Customer service was friendly enough. Nicely organized for browsing.

Many unique items with a ton of products and mostly what you don’t really need. Much are pricey with the occassional sale thrown in. Fun to look around if you don’t mind story tellers or pouncers. I do enjoy getting my questions answered when in need. Unfortunately for them I can find most of what I need in wholesale places and big box stores for a fraction of the price for many items.

I go for the over-​priced quality product as I’d rather support a BC based company than a large chain, however I can’t say with great certainty that I’ll return.
The owners have changed hands, and I would have mentioned the odd service I received directly to him however he was busy dealing with his children running around the store. Yep, it’s all fun until someone gets hurt. And that’s what happened, they cried to the back as I was departing.
Why is it that with seven potential customers milling around the shop that two associates and an owner are behind the counter talking? What would have saved the day was a quick acknowledgment «we’ll be right with you» look. Instead a customer approached the counter, I then followed her lead waiting for help.
I wish them well, and remember kids no running with scissors!
**Any awesome service from this shop comes from Rene. I asked for her but I missed her on her day off.**

Another kitchen store to get gadgets.
They do seem to carry lots of Gordon Ramsay endorsed products.
Girl helpful in showing the 3 models of their Vitamix blender, says they’re more reliable and powerful than Blendtech.
Some neat ice cube trays with helix shape and an expensive avocado slicer for $ 11!
Prices are to be expected.
Surprisingly, no Amex.

I keep on seeing a number of reviews which I feel are totally inaccurate. I’ve been to both of the Cookworks locations in my Vancouver area a number of times recently, including the location on Broadway and the other downtown. I found the staff to be engaging, helpful and present. In fact, more staff than I needed.
Today I was in there buying a small item and still I got lots of attention. At one point I was eying a strainer and it felt expensive for what I wanted, so the salesperson kept on looking for less expensive options, not out of the need to make a sale, but to help me. In the end I decided I didn’t want to spend even $ 50, and the salesperson pleasantly mentioned that I can just use a colander for my pasta. Honest and simple… did not need to sell me anything and was still happy to be of service.
I’ve been in the store 3 times in the past two weeks, each time buying small items, and all 3 times I felt the staff were right on point. I’m not a chef, just a dad who likes to cook. As a business owner in the service industry, I applaud the service culture I saw and will be back. Great selection as well.

Worst customer service I ever had. I was just in that location, looking for a breville coffee maker. I was in the store for at least 10 min., there where 3 sales associates, all trying successfully hiding behind a piece of paper or one guy was playing around with a calculator. They didn’t even have time to recognize me and at least tell me that they needed a minute. I was standing in front of them at the till for 3 min., staring at them, I could sense they where uncomfortable, but none of them even looked at me or said something. I finally put my items back and left. I felt so awkward. Never experienced something like this in my life. I hope one of the managers reads this and will talk to the staff. I am sure they can find out who is working today and maybe have a little update on customer service or hire someone to teach the staff

My name is Anne and I am a cookware addict.
Cookworks is the local answer to Williams-​Sonoma with some notable advantages over the California conglomerate.
1. Locavore. It’s just the thing if you want to buy local — very, very local for those of us who live, shop, cook and eat downtown, but also a light, bright haven from the chain store/​tourist traps for those of you just visiting and who want a pretty and practical gift — for youself or someone you love — who loves to cook.
2. Cooking with kindness. I have found the staff friendly, knowledgeable and helpful in-​store and on the phone.
3. The things they carry. Cookwords has colourful and copious choices — I scooped up a French wooden spoon here that was nowhere to be found at the aforementioned W-​S. If you can’t find what you’re looking for here, you will probably need to go online — Amazon can be amazing for esoterica like food-​colouring markers — or to the storied E. Dehillerin in Paris (a shop where you need to either speak French or bring someone who does!).
4. CookZen and spend less. Cookworks is much less crowded than WiSo (or the ancient, dusty narrow aisles of Dehillerin’s), which makes for a much more serene shopping experience. The prices are also competitive. (Frankly, the amount I save by cooking at home easily makes up the amount I spend. And leaves me more money to spend on… see the first line in this review.) If you really want a bargain, hie thee over to the HomeSense at Robson and Seymour. If you really want to get down to brass tacks and copper pans, head for Cookworks.
I CookLove.

Worst customer service that I have ever experienced! I would not recommend shopping at this store if you wish to be treated with respect.

If you’re looking for knowledgeable staff, service, and a relaxing environment to shop in then this is the place for you! They’re not the cheapest place in town (certainly you can find for less elsewhere) but they more than make up for it in all their services. I love their weekend demos with the chef (free, btw), their VIP is great, and they have a super low-​hassle warranty. I love to window shop there and once in a while I have enough to buy something really high quality, which I know is going to last because all they carry are the top brands!

I come here often to look at stuff when I am on my lunch time walks. I peek around to see if there is any gadget that I may need for my kitchen. There is a good selection of everything, from pots/​pans to knives, roasting racks, cutting boards and the list goes on. Not bad for a relatively small store.

I love this store. Yes, the items are expensive but are they over priced? Depending on what you get (compared to states, anything that sells in Canada is overpriced).
They do have lots of kitchen items that make you go «that is so neat» to «okay I would never pay this much money for this?».
They also have the expensive cookware that I just drool over and covet but unfortunately cannot afford.
I love to browse their online store as well. If you are looking for a specific item, it is good to check their online store to see if they have it.
Service I have received it hit and miss. Some days they are very nice but some days you do get sales associates who aren’t as friendly or aren’t as knowledgeable.
I do try to get to know the product I am purchasing before I head into the store.

I was looking to purchase my third Le Creuset cookware, second one in what would have been two days. I had checked at the Broadway one and they mentioned that the Howe st. one would have the last one I was looking for. I called and left a message because they were closed by 6pm. I was called the next day, but when I called back, no one seemed to know about my stock inquiry. The other girl that picked up the phone, never called me back after ‘getting the other girl to call me back’. *sigh* back to ordering online.

Go to GOURMET WAREHOUSE. They are so much better. 10 times more goodies, much better quality and the prices on the same merchandise are lower. Really dead in the store except for the odd difident eye rolling associate. They don’t want to be there either

Overpriced stuff you don’t really need. There are many better places around town with more choice and less painful on the wallet.

If there was a Rodeo Drive of cookware, Cookworks would definitely hold a coveted spot on that strip! I feel like this is the store that local celebrities and multimillion dollar business owners get their cooking ware from. It’s such a fun store to go to. just to browse of course!
And the staff here is great! They don’t ask snobby at all and treat every customer equally (even though not all of us are going to spend $ 40 on a lemon squeezer!!). One time I even accidentally dropped something in this store (luckily it was stainless steel), but the great thing was I didn’t get one dirty look from the staff!