Cooking implements

[morgaina]

I posted this to Onerie, but thought it would be good to ask here too.
I am going to a Pampered Chef party tonight, & have never been to one before. I could really use some new cooking utensils, plus thinking about gifts. What do you all think of their line?

Comments

[mrq-laurellen.livejournal.com]

My experience comes from several years ago (like ten) so FWIW; the only experience I've had was when I bought a cookie press and it broke within the year. It didn't seem to me that it was made all that well. The design was good but the materials didn't stand up to what I would consider normal wear and tear. So I've not tried them out since. But, perhaps they've improved over the last decade.

[gwen-the-potter.livejournal.com]

Expensive. I can get a lot of the same things at cooking stores in the mall for less - or even at K-mart. And, as to pie pans and pizza stones - I've made them, and they work just fine. Ellen loves the clay pie pans I have made her, and they haven't broken yet!

I also try to avoid specialty items - things you can only use for one purpose - because I don't have a lot of room in my kitchen.

Plus, I admit, I'm cheap (just not easy).

[copper-oxide.livejournal.com]

I used that "I'm cheap but not easy" in public this past year and shocked my daughter. Which was really fun, "Maaammm!" :-D

[the-thread-lady.livejournal.com]

Pampered Chief is using the party atmosphere and peer pressure to sell their stuff. They calculate that you will want to buy at least one thing, or book a party, just to help your friend make her hostess quota. That and they might be able to greed you into hosting a party of your own by showing you all the "free stuff" you can "earn" by being a hostess. They count on you getting caught up in the "wow-cool stuff" impulse buy.

I think most of their stuff is just too expensive for what it is. If you have access to a decent kitchen supply store, you can get their "specialty" items for a better price. Common items of a comparable quality can be purchased at any store with kitchen supplies.

Several years ago, I purchased 2 items from Pampered Chief. I do use the little cookie lifter all the time. It is just the right size for the pans I use in my little oven. The handle has a melted spot, but otherwise it has held up quite well. Paid about $7.00 for it. The other item I purchased is a wooden press-stick sort of thing that you use to make tiny tarts. It was $5 or $6. It works with the miniature cupcake pans I already had. Works well, but anyone with a lathe could turn you one just as good very quickly and cheaply. If I ever lost it, I would go back to my thumb, which is what I used before ;-)

I love the clay pie pans Gwen made, I am planning on talking to her about some bread pans. The unglazed clay turns out wonderful crusts.

[copper-oxide.livejournal.com]

Problem is I don't have access to a decent kitchen supply store. Closest kitchen specialty is Spokane.

[the-thread-lady.livejournal.com]

Oh, I was afraid of that. Just ignore me - I'm Ms. Grumpy-Pants today.

Have fun with your friends.

[copper-oxide.livejournal.com]

Notatall grumpy. I appreciate the heads up :-)

[monkeybung.livejournal.com]

I have never been, but I have friends that really like their stuff.

[ornerie.livejournal.com]

check out:
http://www.pamperedchef.com/our_products/catalog/product.jsp?productId=12968&categoryCode=BK

http://www.pamperedchef.com/our_products/catalog/product.jsp?productId=610&categoryCode=KW

http://www.pamperedchef.com/our_products/catalog/product.jsp?productId=6974&categoryCode=CE

I have this and love it, and its a good price
http://www.pamperedchef.com/our_products/catalog/product.jsp?productId=211&categoryCode=KW

you may be able to find similar stuff cheaper elsewhere for sure. I am not imprsessed with their cookware/bakeware stuff so much but that's me (Im a stainless steel/no plastic handles kind of girl :))

[madeileen.livejournal.com]

A couple of years ago I bought the rotery cheese greater. Best purchase I have ever made. I love it. I would only love it better if it was all metal, as I worry about it breaking.
The stuff is expensive, and a fair bit of it not really usefull for everyday cooking, but the bakeware has always gotten some good reviews from my friends. I believe the above posts pretty much say it all.

[copper-oxide.livejournal.com]

There were a lot of fun toys there last night.
Now I wish I had bought the rotery cheese grater. Hummm
I didn't buy much, a knife and the batter bowl, but I'm looking forward to getting them.
thanks everyone