Love the tidbits you can buy here. Some recent purchases: honey (so many to choose from), caramel sauce, licorice, olive oil. Love this place. Will shop online until they reopen after Covid. read more

ChefShop are very quick to send goods and also quick to communicate. They have great customer service and great quality product.

Better to shop online. They don't care about posting the actual prices in the store, so it's a total waste of your time and completely confusing to shop in person. They expect you to scan in some QR type codes on your smartphone, which brings you to their webpage, where you can SEARCH for the item to find out how much an item costs. While you are IN THE STORE. Either be an online shop, or a retail shop, but don't make your customers work extra because you're too lazy to post actual prices in a storefront. Totally aggravating and so disrespectful to your in-store customers. Nothing that I saw was particularly mind-blowing, either. Many of their products can be found at well-known shops in Pike Place Market or in SoDo, or even higher-end grocery stores. If they don't feel like they should make shopping a pleasant, easy experience, I see no reason to ever shop there again. read more

Having been to a class at Diane's Market Kitchen (see my review), I was skeptical to go to another one of these expensive cooking classes where I was afraid the only goal is to peddle artisanal food items. But I was pleasantly surprised for a few reasons: 1. Yes, it is a presentation style cooking class (but you know that before you go there) but it is extremely involved and educational. Lesa was cheerful and her culinary training added to her credibility considerably. I liked that the class covered standard French bistro recipes but also changed some. For example, the coq au vin with white and figs was quite a revelation. I will certainly be making that soon. 2. Yes, they do peddle their ingredients but as noted by other reviewers, they are good products. For instance, rice bran oil is healthy and hard to find and they sell a giant container of it for just $13. All the recommendations are backed up by knowledge of cooking processes and sourcing of ingredients so it all seemed pretty logical and scientific to me (avoiding GMO ingredients, info about canning processes, ripening fruits on the wine vs. gas ripening etc.). Most importantly, I didn't feel pressured by anyone to buy the things I did (my fiance and I bought quite a few things!). 3. They serve you a bunch of appetizers to start (delicious escargot too!) and as much as wine as you want as well as the lovely dishes that were prepared. It's not just a cooking class, it's also an eating class. And I am all for that, especially at 6.30pm on a weekday when I've spent the whole day at work! My only quibble is that they gave you recipe print outs. Seriously, in a digital world, where I keep a file of my recipes on my computer, I don't want to have to pay for an expensive cooking class and then keep withering pieces of paper to refer to recipes or type them up again. If they would just IRM (information rights protect) the Word documents, they would avoid people copying and printing and circulating the recipes. Although, frankly, that is not something that they should be concerned about because the real value is in the demonstration of the cooking and the experience of the class. read more

I went here for a cooking class, and was disappointed to find out it was a demo class - i.e., not hands-on. I can't blame them, though - I admittedly did not ask when I signed up. While the food at the end was very good, the class itself was sub-par. They don't have an actual kitchen they use to teach, but rather use portable electric burners and convection oven in lieu of a stove/oven! This meant everything that was cooked "stovetop" took much longer than it would in actuality - not great for learning, and also not a great use of my time. The items that were put in the convection oven burned b/c it was not working properly. On top of that, the class felt a bit like a sales pitch for the items they have in the store. It is clear that the employees/owner are very knowledgeable about the products and health benefits, and the goods do seem to be quality, but it was clear they are a store first and provide cooking classes as an after thought. Again, good food and good products - just be aware what you're signing up for! read more

It was one of the few places that carried smoked salt, so we took the journey from south King County to check it out. More of a boutique than a well stocked "shop". Odd brands, imported brands and a few local brands. No prices on most items. $10+ for a jar of mustard, and 17oz of dry pasta. The salt was around $7 for 4oz. Some balsamic vinegars and various bags of spices - again -- without prices. I guess if you have to ask you should go else where. Some items in there were available at any Asian market place. You may taste just about anything, they did ask us to try a few things. I found the selection of goods in there kinda weird and very expensive, no theme really. read more

I love this shop! They carry lots of rare honey from around the world and tons of gourmet condiments. The staff and owner are very gracious and helpful - they let us taste every item we were curious about before we committed to buying anything. The next time I need a fancy balsamic vinegar or unique olive oil, I'm going right back. read more

Fantastic cooking classes! Checked out a Morroccan cooking class on a Wednesday night, after having bought it on living social. In preparation for the class, they serve wine and appetizers, and the staff sits around ready to lend a hand. Chef Erin led the class, and was really great. I learned a lot about a type of food that I have long been in love with, left with recipes (I tried the Bessara the next day, to rave reviews!) and a discount for the next class. I will absolutely be back, for the classes, for the incredible selection of gourmet products that they stock, or just to be in the presence of other foodies. Loved it! read more

I couldn't be more impressed with Lauren's teaching or the set up for cooking classes at ChefShop. Lauren is obviously a talented, creative chef who is also an excellent and easily approachable teacher. The class is intimate and relaxed with tasty treats of food and wine to accompany your evening. When I first researched cooking classes in Seattle I sought out a class where the students could be cooking, thinking that was the best way to learn. I quickly discovered that such classes only lead to me cooking the way I already know - just with new recipes. WIth Lauren's classes you glean knife skills, preparation and plating skills along with her cooking wisdom. Finally, the ChefShop is full of gourmet delectables not easily found in in easy to find location with plenty of free parking. For what you would typically spend on a nice dinner you get that and much much more! read more

Eliza is a great host and made a memorable experience for my husband and I. We especially appreciated the educational part - learning about spices, oils and our pantry - and the importance on how all parts work together. I particularly would have loved to take part in the cooking itself, or have have been asked to jump up and help with a portion to make it more interactive, but the class was great spectating regardless. Great for date night, girls night or just trying something new! read more

I went into this store today expecting to see culinary tools. What I found instead were some spices and some dried goods. Most of what was in the store were pre-made spreads and jams. They had good quality items that would be perfect in gift baskets or care packages just not what I was expecting. All that said however the reason I'm giving the store a one star review is upon walking in the store my husband and I were never greeted or asked if we needed any help. Instead I had to stand at the counter and flag the worker down to ask a simple question. I inquired about two salts both of which they were out of. Why the samples remained out then is beyond me. I found nothing else of interest and as we were walking out I noticed another worker on her phone. She said have a nice day, I guess to her phone because she never once looked up. I will not be returning to this store. read more

Stop in often! Fabulous selection of fine foods and chocolate. This is the only place that I know to get Pernagotti cocoa powder, one of my favorites. read more

I had the good fortune of getting Venus as my sales gal today when I ran into Chef shop. She really knows the merch and was super helpful and suggested all kinds of groovy food. She makes an amazing shot of espresso too! read more

My Seatllelite sister thought i might enjoy this little specialty shop.We went to the Chef Shop today especially for RJs Licorice and i took a photo of my Love painting in front of the shop's signage. Alas, the Wall Street Journal had to go an write some article about RJ's black licorice, which created a run on the stuff, which left us with none. So we left instead with some raspberry licorice and some pickled green beans. These items were both fancy and tasty, but they we're the main event. Lovely staff. Lovely stuff read more

I am on her mailing list and for the 3rd time I have driven down from Everett to buy something that was advertised only to find there was none. Often we are told "it sold out soon after the mailing went out" but upon further investigation, we find they never had it. I try to support locally but this makes me shop online. read more

Like many others posting here, I took their Moroccan cooking class and loved it. Initially, I was disappointed that it wasn't hands-on but rather demo style, but I really enjoyed it and learned a few new things. I'm a very accomplished home chef but I did like Chef Erin's style and input from buyer Megan, who was in attendance, was good, as well. The dishes were really delicious but be forewarned, every dish includes at least two or three pretty unique items that you may not be able to find elsewhere. Yes, you could use a different brand of EVOO or preserved lemons but after coming home and looking online for some of the ingredients and specific brands recommended, I couldn't find them. Online searches often led to Amazon's Marketplace and items sold by, you guessed it, Chef Shop. That wouldn't have been a big issue and I likely would have purchased at least a few items that night and taken advantage of the 10% discount but as you've already read...NOTHING in the store is marked. Apparently, you are to scan a code with your smart phone. Guess what, Chef Shop, not everyone is a smart phone user. I've gotta say, I thought the class, products and employees were amazing but expecting everyone who comes into your store to be a smart phone user is highly pretentious. We also received a generous $30 discount on our next class. I hope to use it and I really *want* to shop here but until you list prices at least on shelves (if you don't want to mark every item in the store), I will make the trek DT after each class and look for ingredients at Big John's PFI, De Laurenti's, The Spanish Table, the many spice shops around Pike Place and all the other lovely specialty food shops we have in Seattle, where prices are clearly marked. I am a total sucker for specialty food items and would have shopped, and would still like to, but I'm not going to ask how much every item is. Also, it would have been nice to know that parking is extremely limited. If this was on the website, I missed it. I was lucky enough to score one of the 8 or 10 parking spots in a class that had 11 ppl in attendance. There is no street parking on extremely busy Elliott Ave, so I wonder were others parked. Finally, please upon putting out the food, make a reminder to class participants that the food we finally get to share at the end of the night (which is self-serve) is meant to be *shared*! I was third in line and got my share but took a very small portion of the main dish b/c the thin, blonde, twenty-something woman in class took off like a bat outta hell to be the first in line and *heaped* her plate, when we were invited to eat. She then when back and heaped the plate once more with the couscous dish. Honey, it's not an all you can eat buffet. I wondered if the end of the line would even taste everything thanks to her self-absorbed attitude. I am neither thin, blonde nor in my twenties, so I guess I don't go through life with a sense of entitlement like that. Sadly, apparently ppl need to be reminded to be respectful of others in situations like this. Update specifically for Chef Erin months later: I recently emailed her for a recipe she mentioned in class...many, many months after class and she responded with the recipe right away and is great about responding/commenting on FB, too. A true professional...not surprising, as she's from the Midwest were ppl actually follow thru in a timely and professional fashion. That is not the norm for Seattle natives, I've found! Check out her own biz.... http://www.glorifiedhomechef.com/ and her FB page. read more

Have you ever had the TV on late at night, and embarrassed yourself by watching more of an infomercial than you want to admit? That's how I felt not leaving during the Moroccan cooking "class" I took last night. I got a Green Lake Moms deal for half off this "class" -- thank goodness I didn't pay full price. The evening starts with the owner saying that the inside aisles of any grocery store are full of food that "has absolutely not taste, and if it tastes like anything, that taste is bad." Irony: many of the products sold in her store, I've purchased in said inside aisles (rooster sauce, dried garbanzos, harissa, etc.) The night continued with the owner making countless general statements about they way they do things "in Europe," as if Europe is some monolith that approaches all food practices the same way. There were many statements about how the products we currently use are harming us - for example, you'd better stay away from kosher salt, and absolutely stay away from umbrella-girl salt because it will give you cancer in your brain. She also "cited" a bunch of pseudo-science cited to back up these claims, some of which was enough to make even an non-scientist cringe. I mean, I get pitching a few products here and there, but doing so based on scare tactics, stating that you have to have a jar with one pickled lemon from some other country in order to really make this dish (something tells me Moroccan cooks might disagree) -- it shot the credibility of Chef Shop to me. I texted my husband about half an hour into the class that I was at an infomercial. He couldn't believe I stayed. I had arranged it as a ladies night out with a friend of mine, so I didn't want to leave. I couldn't leave fast enough at the end, tho. By the way, it's not very subtle - they give you just a tiny bit of appetizers and all they wine you can drink right at dinner time (6:15) and then go on to cook food in front of you (often the cook can't tell you what's happening, because that's when the hard sell from the owner is happening), which is served at 8:45. By the time the food is served -- of which there is enough for everyone to take a "taste," your judgment might just be impaired enough to buy a bunch of products. You might even believe the owner who moments ago told you that you cannot get a decent bottle of olive oil for less than $20. How would I think about this shop if I hadn't endured the terrible 3-hour-long infomercial? I'm not sure. Maybe it's pretty good. read more

"Why You'll Love It- In these presentation-style classes, you'll learn how to cook restaurant-quality fare like Spanish tapas, Italian pasta, or specialties from Havana. Or, attend the Farmer's Market session and learn what to do with all the fresh produce this season. You'll enjoy appetizers and wine as you watch the chef in action, plus you'll score a 10% discount on specialty food items in the shop. Indulge your palate, learn new tricks, and forge new friendships when you get sizzlin' on your next culinary adventure." I bought two tickets for the Italian Cooking Class at Chef Shop after reading the above description. Being foodies and wine lovers, I thought my husband and I would have a night of fun! Upon arrival we were greeted with wine and a small appetizer. As more guests arrived, we made our way to our seats. I was somewhat disappointed, as I thought the class would be more hands on versus a demonstration. The discussions during the presentation were semi-informative, however the manner in which we were served was less than sub par although compostable. Chef Shop seems more interested in saving a buck than investing in enough forks and wine to accompany each course. Our group of 12 was instructed to keep our forks, as they didn't have any more in the back. What enticed me about the Chef Shop Cooking Class was the food and wine appeal. But, there were only 3 bottles opened the entire 2.5 hour class and half of a bottle had gone into the food. If this wasn't bad enough, the portions that we were given were extremely small and numerous comments were made by the staff that there were going to be leftovers for the following day. The "assistant," I believe her name was Venus, hovered over the buffet and filled her plate more times than I could count. In fact, she walked to the back with her mouth full eating directly from the bowl! During the evening countless sale pitches were made to the group about buying from Chef Shop and how much healthier their items were better than competitors. It was like a used car salesman had come in and took over the demonstration. The actual Chef was nice and seemed knowledgeable, however her food lacked favor. In the end, I feel that I was taken advantage by Chef Shop as the price of the evening didn't reflect in the experience and the items we were served (or lack thereof). Even though we bought the tickets from Groupon and received "2 for 1 deal," I still paid way too much for what we got! I would not recommend attending any of the cooking presentations at Chef Shop. You can get more "bang for your buck" watching the Food Network, buying the ingredients and recreating their dishes over a bottle of wine! read more

I just moved to the area, and I am so excited that I discovered ChefShop! The staff is so informative and inspiring! I am definitely branching out of my comfort zone to incorporate a new healthy cooking style. I enjoyed their cooking class, and can't wait till the next! read more