Spoon & Whisk

My wife and I thought this store was well stocked with interesting things not found in the mall versions of kitchen ware stores. The sales representative was pleasant, knowledgeable and helpful. Importantly, she was not pushy. I suggest that customers recommend to the management items they would like to see and that the store have a prominently placed device for that purpose, rather than just complain.

This place is outstanding and the offerings couldn’t be better. Cheryl Zinni has created a a place for anyone that has a love for cooking to come and get the best products as well as learn from some great chefs at her cooking classes. Her newsletter is one I read from start to finish every time it comes out. If you love cooking, this is the place!

Cooking classes here are a disaster.
In March, my boyfriend and I went to a cooking class and were very excited to get to learn how to cook food we hadn’t cooked before. When we got there, we were surprised to find out that we actually DID NOT get to cook anything. Only the instructor cooks, while the «students» sit in chairs and simply watch. Which we could have done for free, at home, watching tv.
The instructor was a wreck. He couldn’t answer anyone’s questions, besides ones asked about his restaurant. He forgot ingredients in his food, blathered on and on about non related topics, and by the end of the night, had only finished 2 of the 4 items we were supposed to learn about and get to taste. We didn’t learn anything.
About a week later, my boyfriend spoke with someone from the store. We were hoping to get a refund, or at least store credit, so that we could come in and get some cooking supplies. The person he spoke to absolutely refused. The only thing we were offered is to be allowed to come to another cooking «class.» We wouldn’t have even come in the first place if there hadn’t been false advertising about the classes and their structure. Cooking classes involve actually getting to prepare food.
Needless to say, we did not take another «class,» and our Christmas present from his mother (the gift cards to the store) were completely wasted. Huge disappointment, in the class, and how the situation was handled by the store owners/​employees. We certainly will not ever be returning to Spoon and Whisk. Also, anyone we know who mentions wanting to take classes there, we have been strongly advising them not to.

My in-​laws gave my wife and I a gift card to here 2 Christmas ago. We have been looking for a steamer, to steam fresh vegetables. This place had 2 different sizes, we opted for the smaller one and it works great. I’ve have also bought a spring cake pan, a vegetable peeler, a strainer and a Le Creuset kitchen utensil holder. I originally wanted to purchase a Le Creuset dutch oven (the Cadillac of dutch ovens) but they are way too expensive for my blood.
As I was talking to the young man that was working here about the different dutch ovens they sell here he informed me that all the other dutch ovens in Kohl’s or other dept stores are lower end dutch ovens. I then asked him what he thought about Rachael Ray products or any of the food network products and he went on to tell me half the time those chefs don’t even use their own products that were made specifically for them, I have a hard time believing that. I ended up going to Kohl’s and bought a 7 quart food network dutch oven on sale for 90.00. It works great!
If you are looking for «higher end» cookware than I would recommend coming here. They also have cooking seminars with local chefs cooking different theme menus, every week. You have to sign up and I believe the cost varies but most are around 40.00−45.00 dollars a person. I will have to check that out just to see how is and get some pointers from trained chefs to better my cooking skills.

I got a note from the owner apologizing for the incident and clarifying that the precipitating party was another outside sales rep. I’m not sure that makes things better but they did give me the courtesy of acknowledging the discomfort that it caused, so I will give them another chance when I’m in the area to do a customer service make-​good. Keeping the review at two stars for now, however, based on my experience and price/​value/​quality issues outlined in the previous review.

Decent selection, but not the best service. The staff usually seems stand-​offish and impatient. They ask if you need help, and if you actually say yes, they get a little exasperated. I’ve yet to have an experience with an employee that seemed happy to be helping me. They carry an okay selection, but I’ve had them try to convince me to buy «lower-​end» merchandise before (a set of some celebrity’s cookware that has gotten TERRIBLE reviews), when I was looking at All-​Clad. I don’t know what the point of that is… maybe they thought I’m young and therefore can’t afford All-​Clad? I’ve been in with my mom before and they were a little snippy with her, so I don’t think the attitude is solely because of my age. It’s a pity. Why on earth would you open a retail business if you hate dealing with people so much?

Great little Kitchen specialty shop in Clifton Park. Carries many harder to find items such as large non-​stick cookie cooling racks and many high-​end brands. A nice alternative to Williams and Sonoma that is local and locally owned. Prices seem reasonable.