Kitchen Window

Took two 1-​hour mini classes during their «grilling expo» weekend in April and it reminded me what a gem this place is. It is filled with really knowledgeable staff who really uses the products they sell. For the expo they had about 12 grills of all types set up and working on their outdoor patio with food samples including grilled pizza, smoked brats and even chocolate chip cookies.
The expo got me excited for grilling season and after spending about 30 minutes with a sales person on both Saturday and Sunday getting all my questions answered, I ended up splurging for a Big Green Egg grill and several accessories. What was nice is my purchase included a $ 100 gift certificate along with 2 Free classes (the classes in their catalog typically are around 3 hours long and cost $ 79 each) so I felt this was a pretty good deal.
Friendly people, great selection — what’s not to like?

Kitchen Window is far and away my favorite kitchen supply store! Fair prices, lots of quality products to choose from and a very knowledgeable staff. Today when I was in the store, I learned more about frying pans and what kind of oil to use than I realized there was to know from a gentleman named Ron. Long story short, if you have to buy a kitchen gadget, this is THE place to go.

My espresso maker has been repaired twice, and both times customer service has been very good. Besides repair, both times I was educated into how to care for my machine better. I’ve had the machine for 14 years and expect to have it many many more thanks to Kitchen Window.

Just fantastic. Doug, one of the owners, takes a personal interest in you being a happy customer. I purchased a Big Green Egg from there and many other items and you will get the best service you can get from this great store.
Ed

I LOOOOOOOVE the store. It has about anything you could imagine for the kitchen and good spices, etc.
We went to the cooking school for a team event and joined one of the advertised classes. It was a demonstration class and the food was very good.
Having taken dozens of classes previously throughout town — including at this venue– I was a little surprised at how serious the other participants were. Talk about the no fun zone! It was the first time I’ve been at a class where there was zero collegiality, but my little group had fun regardless. I’m going to chalk it up to the mix of people who chose this particular class and hope that Kitchen Window hasn’t gotten the rep of attracting only people who are wanna be chefs with few social skills. Nonetheless, if I want to have a fun time, meet new people who like to chat about cooking and be in a more social atmosphere, it might be better to go to one of the many other cooking school options in town (there are a ton of good ones and atmosphere is what makes or breaks an experience). I might consider a private event at the venue because the facilities are nice, but unless you like to sit in class and never speak, go to a place that encourages interaction amongst participants.

This store is magical. I can walk around it for a couple hours, buy a $ 7 spice mix and leave completely content. It’s one of those stores that is fun to just browse, sample a few things, ask some really good questions in. I love it.
I have found the staff to be really helpful and super knowledgeable, the sale prices to be decent, and the variety to be plentiful.
Its sort of a «must stop in» for me every time I’m in Uptown. Plus, they have some GREAT classes upstairs, some even $ 10!

Two stars because I love the store. The classes would be One.
I don’t like to be negative. But after three bad experiences I just feel like I need to say something. I have always thought of Kitchen Window as the place to go in the cities for a great cooking experience. The quality of their facility is excellent. I have always had good experiences in the store. And, the staff has always been able to assist me with any questions in a quick, clear, and professional manner.
So what’s wrong with their classes? Three events planned, two attended, and no good stories to tell.
1) Kitchen Window’s cancellation/​reschedule policy is so rigid that changes seem almost impossible. In the face of a blizzard their stance was if the instructor makes it in the class is on and no refunds or rescheduling is possible. The explanation was that they operate the way a school does. The schools I’ve been affiliated with make allowances for extreme weather and disabilities, neither of which Kitchen Window was willing to take into consideration.
2) We were looking forward to the pressure cooker class. We didn’t expect a session wherein the instructor was unprepared to do much more than offer an infomercial on the relative merits of different models. No fundamentals were offered. No «learning» happened. We came away with a recipe but no real translatable knowledge. Save the sales pitch for the people down in the store. Referring to issue one above; a school should offer education. Call it shopping school if you’re not going to teach cooking.
3) The last one is on the presenter as much as Kitchen Window. A recent book launch that we very much anticipated was one of the worst presentations I have seen in a long time. Poorly planned, clearly unrehearsed, and generally difficult to watch. That’s on the presenters. What is on Kitchen Window is the lack of coordination between the facility representative and the presenters on what is needed (preheat the oven?) and how the program should go off. Additionally, either coordination or training of the volunteer staff is severely lacking. How about fewer staff that are better trained? Maybe a coordinator that clearly has control of the situation?
I love the facility at Kitchen Window. I hope that they can raise the bar of quality for the classes and events that they put on. Auditions for instructors? Closer coordination with presenters to make it smoother. At their prices and stated ideals they really need to step up the game. Here’s to hoping that I can find a way to feel confident to go back.

I am a ardent amateur cook and decided to write reviews of the three places I shop for most of my cooking hardware. These are Kitchen Window in Calhoun Square, Cooks at 50^th and France, and Sur la Table about one half block from Cooks. Of the three Kitchen Window is by far the largest with the most varied selection. Cooks and Sur la Table are about a mile closer to my house and with free parking (if you can find a space). The number of businesses in the 50^th and France has expanded so rapidly that parking has not kept up, so I have decided to pay the two bucks and park in the ramp at Calhoun Square as I can always find what I want at Kitchen Window and the staff is often more knowledgeable and helpful than at the other two places. Kitchen Window also has bargain table at which I occasionally find something I want.

We love this place. The discount table out front is always fun to check out. The staff is friendly and very knowledgeable. The prices are competitive and the selection is large. We have always found what we’re looking for at Kitchen Window. Parking is on the street or public lot. Have fun.

If I was a baller, one of the first places I would clear out is Kitchen Window. They have just about everything for a kitchen. Sodastream CO2 canisters? Check. Cold press coffee maker? Check. Brownie pan in the shape of Minnesota? Check.
In addition to having wonderful selection of kitchen goodies, the staff are very friendly and familiar with most of the products in the store. I had this dude drop mad knowledge about different ways to brew coffee for a good half hour. Another woman took the time to give me insight on what brand to buy regarding iron cast skillets. Much love to the staff there, yo.
The only thing that prevents me from giving Kitchen Window five stars is the price. I understand it’s in Calhoun Square, but damn, some things are beyond expensive. I’m convinced the store releases some kind of happy gas because one time I dropped $ 25 bucks on dishwashing tools that I could have gotten less elsewhere. That’s like three bowls of phở! haha. Oh well, I can finally clean the inside of my Sodastream bottle.
I haven’t tried their classes yet, but I’ll be sure to peep them in the future.

I used to walk through Calhoun Square quite a bit in the 90s and think about how someday I would have lots of money to spend and I would take fancy classes at Kitchen Window.
A lot has changed since 1999, including pretty much everything inside Calhoun Square. But not so much my limited expendable income.
But! KW offerred $ 10 classes last weekend which included a $ 10 gift card and I’ve always been good at math which means I could tell this was a DEAL.
A friend and I signed up for Tarts. Turned out to be more like a lecture than a hands on class, but it was still fabulous. I learned quite a bit, got to take home some hand outs with tips and recipes, and got to sample three different tarts.
I also really enjoyed browsing through all the gadgets downstairs. Yes, you could spend quite a bit here, but there’s plenty at every price point. This would be a great place to pick up gifts of any value for anyone in your life who likes a little gadgetry.

Went it to buy cutting boards and of course, ended up learning a whole lot more than I expected. All good and really helped me make a good choice about my purchase. They had lots of choices from wood to bamboo to epicurean.
The staff at the knives and cutting board station was v. helpful and spent a lot of time answering my questions. She was also game about letting me try several different kinds of knives, offering helpful tips about how to hold a knife and the differences between different kinds that they carry. Knife sharpening services are available too at about $ 5 a knife.
The store has many wonders where you could easily while away an hour or two.

Kitchen Window is most definitely my version of porn… from the huge selection to the gorgeous displays and the quality products… I have nothing but praise for this locally-​owned establishment.
I have shopped at KW for years… even before I knew how to cook, which I think is a testament to how appealing this place is. When I decided to teach myself to cook, Kitchen Window was my first stop, but I was a little intimidated because I was SUCH a newbie to the world of culinary arts.
Five minutes in and I felt comfortable… the staff is so helpful and accomodating and they never made me feel inadequate even when I mispronounced brand names and asked a million «beginner» questions.
I purchased my first «good» cookware and knives at Kitchen Window and over time, my collection has grown. You never feel pressured to buy anything or to purchase the most expensive item. The sales staff recommends items for whatever your skill level or your budget requires. Its obvious that the staff are people who love food and love the art of cooking and that makes for a very pleasant experience every time.
They have everything from the most high-​end items to fun, kitschy gift ideas. Their in-​store demos are fabulous — so much so that I bought a paella pan and all of the accessories after trying paella for the first time during an in-​store demo. (By the way… its one of the best purchases I’ve made… there’s nothing better than hosting a paella and sangria party!)
I’ve taken a couple of their cooking classes as part of my employer’s «team building» efforts and they were fabulous. We had a variety of skill levels participating and yet, we all were able to participate, learn something and have fun at the same time.
A word of advice… sign up for their email newsletters. I have gotten some EXCELLENT recipes and tips from them… and often times, they offer a coupon for specific items. They don’t sell your information either.
No matter what your experience with food, I would highly recommend a stop at Kitchen Window. Whenever I’m in Uptown, I’m magnetically drawn to that place… I even brave the crowds during the Uptown Art Fair because the sale items are SO worth it!

If you don’t know how to cook, you have to eat out a lot, which adds up quickly. So what are you to do? You can learn to cook, that’s what.
Kitchen Window offers a wide variety of classes every month, many taught by local restauranteurs. Don’t fear if you have a hard time boiling water, cause they cover those bases too.
This was the second time I attended a class at KW, the first being a BBQ class using a half off deal. I was impressed at the large space and top of the line equipment as well as getting to grill on the deck above Hennepin was very cool.
The instructor (Joe Hatch-​Surisook of SenYaiSenLek in NE) was awesome. He does a great job of introducing you to ingredients you might not be familiar with and how to use them to create a flavor profile. The KW staff that assist during the class are great. (I don’t know how some of them do their job — I would find it really hard not to dive in and just do something for one of the attendees).
Both times the food was prepared in two batches, make half the food then sit down and eat it then finish the other half of the recipes and sit down to eat again.
All in all, the facility, teachers and staff will make for an enjoyable time!

I never go to this place without a bib.
The pricey kitchen gadgets, copper kettles, and sharp knives are sirens calling out to my moth filled wallet.
The staff is knowledgeable and honest. I even heard a sales person telling a customer to buy the cheaper brand of mixer for his purposes. The staff must not be taking commissions.

This is my, and anybody who takes some joy in cooking, heaven. There is nothing here as far as tools that you could want that they don’t have. Paella pans? Check. Sushi making kits? Check. Jerk grilling woods? Check. Ice cube trays in the shape of robots? Check and check. They have serious stuff like 4,000 espresso machines, truffle making choclates and molds, and goofy stuff like bacon breath mints and molds for making shot glasses made of ice. If you could possibly need it in the kitchen they have it. I love this place and can spend hours carousing the shelves and dreaming of things I could do with all the stuff I see.
The reason for only 4 stars instead of 5 is the prices. There are things that they sell in there that you can get at grocery or less ritzy cooking stores for way cheaper. 6 bucks for a bottle of Siracha? Really? Walk 3 blocks east into one of the ethnic grocery stores further down lake and get that delicious red goo for 3 bucks. Kind of redonkulous if you ask me.

Ah, Kitchen Window. You are the place Martha Stewart must shop for her baking needs, because every time she mentions something I’ve never heard of (popover pans, shortbread presses, a special kind of pastry brush) I can find it here. Not only do you have it, you have at least three different kinds to choose from, and that means that you have earned my undying adoration.
Now, I’m not saying that what you charge for your offerings is fair– I mean, $ 18.00 for an owl stamp for shortbread is an eyebrow-​raiser– but the fact that you even offer these things makes all kinds of baking artistry seem possible.
I curtsy in your direction. When I have a job that pays more than $ 2.30 per hour, I will be patronizing your business like a bad habit.

Review of Cooking school only:
Kick ass. Best two hours I ever spent in a snowstorm (aside from that time in 1993 which, well, nevermind).
Anyway, I took a two hour bread seminar at this place because my bread was coming out as the square root of suck.
Two days later my newfound knowledge allowed me to pull two nearly perfect looking boules out of the oven.
Yes, I realize that I’m a dolt cause I had to take a seminar on bread baking, whatever, it was worth it.

I was really looking forward to the cooking class I had scheduled, however I was slightly disappointed.
First of all I am quite suprised at how unwilling they are to adjust any schedules if you don’t have the exact number of people on the waiting list to swap our your party. We wanted to switch our night and there were 3 of us and only groups of 2 on the waiting list… we ended up going but they certainly could have accomodated one extra person if necessary at a table, they just aren’t super helpful to work with your schedule… it’s completely annoying and unrealistic.
Secondly, the volunteer helpers seemed very unprepared and unorganized. Not all of the ingredients were set out, we had to ask for spoons, spatulas and simply help them understand the recipies… you’re supposed to be teaching us!
Third strike was that we didn’t get to participate in making multiple things. Each group pretty made just one dish the entire time, so we didn’t get to see multiple things and I made something I make at home all the time.
So all in all, sweet I paid $ 70 to eat some pretty descent food, learn a few new tips and tricks and make a dish I already know how to make.
I probably won’t be back unless it’s something amazing like sushi making and even then I’ll find a different school because the scheduling is such a pain in the butt. Having things be non-​refundable is just not cool, life happens and you’ll still make thousands of dollars even if a couple people have to switch.

50% off! New store, New cooking school area!
I stopped in today to what is already my favorite kitchen store and could not believe my eyes. They have done a great job. I knew they were remodeling Calhoun Square and I knew Kitchen Windows was getting larger but I didn’t think they would do such a great job with both.
The malls is looking much better and Kitchen Window has made the most of the move. The store is larger, better organized and has a better street presence than it did before. Still doesn’t give you the burb mall feel, just a nice relaxed feeling of kitchen bliss. If the man I talked to is to believed it’s the largest kitchen store in the US (he said world but how the hell does he know if some little Russian city has a huge ass kitchen store he has never heard of).
I have taken a lot of the cooking classes over the years and I know my one dislike has been going out in the parking garage to grill. Now off to the side of the kitchen area they have a large private patio. I know I am going to sign up for a couple in the spring so I can enjoy that. Talk about making something that is already very good, better!
Oh yeah, where the old store was they have a large area that was all 50% off sticker price… BooYeah!
KT