This was a great experience. Brought my gf and parents and we all had a wonderful time!…read more Chef Sandy is very accommodating and everyone is responsive for planning. The show is still in development, it may not be Broadway quality atm but it is very entertaining and I imagine if you can enjoy yourself with family and friends there is no excuse to say anyone had a "bad time" at this event. I am a fine dining server of 15 years, I have worked under Michelin Star earning chefs and was a food writer in New Haven for a number of years. The quality of the food is very good. My whole party left very satiated and full. Everything was delicious. It is sad to see there is such vitriol in these reviews, TBH when reading some of them I was getting nervous that my parents might be let down. But, when we were there, I began feeling sorry for the people who left such negative reviews, as they seemed to not be able to enjoy themselves in such an easily enjoyable atmosphere. I began imagining their holiday gatherings as quite glum boring experiences themselves, these poor unfortunate souls probably got coal for Xmas every year of their youth!!! I mourned for their lack of childhood happiness.‍ This was a very fun experience for our whole family. My parents are already planning on returning and we can't wait to see Chef Sandy on A&E this fall!!!

My boyfriend and I got these tickets as a Christmas present for a double date with his parents, and…read morewe were all so impressed with Chef Sandy and the entire show! Everybody was so welcoming and attentive, the food was delicious, and it was just a great time overall. We actually got 4 courses, and Chef Sandy walked around in between to make sure everybody was enjoying, and if we wanted seconds (which we did...it was so good!) Starting out, a fresh green salad with strawberries, walnuts, and raspberry vinaigrette. They were also very accommodating to anybody who may have had allergies to nuts, gluten, etc. Next she showed us how to prepare and make spring rolls from scratch! Followed by delicious salmon bruschetta. The main entree was pasta primavera with chicken francaise which she actually asked for a few volunteers to demonstrate the process, showing it was easy enough for anybody to make. A bonus for the evening, we also got blueberry cake! Just when we thought we were too full...it tasted so good we made room in our bellies! Cannot say enough nice things about Chef Sandy and the staff. We had such a great experience and for the value we will definitely be recommending to friends and family!

Their Knife Sharpening is worse than terrible. My knives…read morewere duller after the 'sharpening' and close to ruined. They are Wüsthof knives and Wüsthof- Trident of North America store in Norwalk is the place to go for professional sharpening.

This gourmet cooking store has the added bonus of a coffee bar inside the store. You can grab a…read morelatte and browse away. The selection here is incredible. Anything you could need or want for your kitchen and cooking adventures. Minus one star for a rude, unpleasant staff interaction.

We had such a good time at our cooking demonstration! My husband and I brought my mother and father…read morefor her 70th birthday present. We were able to bring our own bottle of wine to sip on during the cooking portion of the evening... and a second for the dinner portion! Don't expect to have your own station and make your own meal... this is family style and different people are called up to assist with different portions of the meal. I found Nancy and her husband to be so warm, welcoming, friendly and extremely knowledgeable. The food was delicious and the tips provided were great. I highly recommend this experience!

While the Ginger & Pickles Restaurant no longer resides on Hebron Avenue, the G&P spirit is still…read morevery much present at Ginger & Pickles Catering. I've had food prepared by Nancy (the owner) before and always had my taste buds yearning for more, but last night I was able to step into the kitchen with her and take one of her informative, fun and very delicious cooking classes. I went with my team from work, and it was a great environment where once we all strapped on our Ginger & Pickles aprons, we were all able to "let our hair down" so to speak... We were greeted with a fabulous wine and cheese board, along with a phenomenal Brie baking away for us. We were given a menu of what we would all be cooking and enjoying that evening, pre chosen by our team leader. The menu was well planned, well written and not at all stuffy or overly complicated. Our "Valentines Day Date Night" menu included a wonderful beef tenderloin with a cream sauce, haricots verts with shallots and soufflés we made. So so so good! People work in teams on recipes and it really helps the evening flow. While 2 people are working with Nancy (and sometimes her assistant Brooke), the rest are taking in wine, Brie and observing some new techniques in the kitchen. Once one team is complete, The next team moves on to the next section of the menu. Before you know it, dinner is being played and served. Everything came out so well, it was as if we were dining out at your favorite restaurant. Nancy is able to answer all your questions and explain why things are done one way versus another, or give you ideas and tips on how to increase your own culinary skills at home. I will definitely be bringing friends here for some classes in the future.

I've had the pleasure of taking three of Chef Raquel's cooking classes. Two were in a large group…read moresetting and one was a small private class. Chef Raquel makes everyone feel comfortable and confident in the kitchen. She's instantly likable, fun and knowledgeable...all while managing to keep everyone engaged. Her recipes are delicious! I've made some of my favorites again at home. I'd highly recommend booking a cooking class with her and her team. You will have a blast, learn something new and have a delicious meal!

Chef Raquel is amazing! She catered my 40th birthday celebration and 3 weeks later my guests are…read morestill raving about the food! Seriously EVERYTHING was absolutely delicious! I'm still waiting on that herb baby potatoes recipe. Thank you again!

More often than not, we hear of local shops shutting their doors, so it was great news to learn of…read moreWeekend Kitchen's move and expansion. We love this destination in Essex for all kinds of kitchen accoutrements, and we love it even more now. Nancy Kirkiles has a knack for mixing vintage finds with kitchen necessities, and the new, larger space has allowed her to flex her merchandising muscles. You'll find an extensive selection of her lovely letterpressed cards on thick stock (and you'll want to stock up), plus a tempting mix of vintage glassware, interesting cookbooks, antique cleavers, teeny silver spoons, crystal salt cellars, linen aprons, essentials for baking; an entire batterie de cuisine. If you're on a spring cleaning rampage, head here for natural bristle brushes and potions with names like "Boys Bathroom" and Superlative Hand Soap. Over the years, Nancy has developed a talented team of collaborators. If you've been to one of her cooking classes or pop-up dinners, you'll know what I'm talking about. Chef Paul Barron will continue to offer classes and dinners through Weekend Kitchen (coming up: Potato Gnocchi and Easy Thai), plus home chef services and (coming soon) grab-and-go meals. You'll find Plenty of Cake, literally. Lesley Moore's imaginative treats will be available and by custom order (her gluten free versions may just be the best I've had), and a refrigerator case is on the way, to be stocked with Arethusa Farm's ridiculous fresh butter, milk, and cheese. I've been known to race over pre-party for a last minute ladle or gravy boat; now I'll just have so many more reasons to visit.

Very nice store with lots of nice things but sales person was NOT wearing a mask. It made me quite…read moreuncomfortable as the store has aisles that are a little tight.

Chef Paul's creation. From our idea to Chef Paul's menu…read more.. Wow!! From creating, cutting, tasting and enjoying every sampling bite. The seafood, fresh salad, tartar and Creme brûlée were to die for!! Do yourself a favor... Treat your wife, family or friends to an amazing cooking experience and meal. Thank you for an amazing evening!! Tom & Laura

We had a wonderful anniversary celebration at Chef Paul's "Table" recently. It was a very creative…read moreand expertly prepared menu that included stuffed baby squid, grilled beet and arugula salad, bay scallop ceviche, roasted individual baby chickens and a delightful chocolate desert. The dining room is relaxed and the staff was super professional and accommodating. Thanks to the layout Chef Paul was very accessible and fun to chat with. BYOB and nice background music. We can't wait for the next special occasion!

We stopped by Kitch during our summer holiday to New England, and it was an absolute highlight! The…read morestore boasts a huge inventory packed with unique cookware, pots, utensils, and local treats like fresh pasta and spices. There's a real sense of discovery in every aisle, and you could easily spend hours exploring gadgets & treats you won't find in other stores. The Atmosphere: The live kitchen in the back cooks up wonderful samples using products from the store--a delicious touch as you shop! The Staff: Run by people who genuinely love food, the customer service is warm and incredibly welcoming. The team's passion and knowledge truly shine. The Prices: The pricing kept this from being a full five-star experience. While the quality and uniqueness are undeniable, a lot of items skew toward the higher end. Very few items are under $10, with most tools ranging from $15 to $100. Whether you're a casual home cook or a seasoned chef, Kitch is guaranteed to spark culinary inspiration. Just be prepared for a bit of sticker shock depending on what catches your eye.

Kitch is one of the most interesting and thoughtfully curated shops in Olde Mistick Village, and…read moreit's easy to see why it has become a favorite stop for home cooks, gadget lovers, and anyone who enjoys exploring high‑quality kitchen gear. The store is packed with unique tools, cookware, and culinary gadgets, many of which you won't find in big-box stores. there's a real sense of discovery in every corner. The shop is locally owned and staffed by people who genuinely love food and cooking, which gives the place a warm, welcoming feel. Their passion shows in how well the store is organized and how knowledgeable the team is about the products they carry. Whether you're a casual home cook or a seasoned chef, it's easy to find something that sparks inspiration. The biggest drawback--and the reason many people stop short of giving a full five stars--is the pricing. While the selection is undeniably impressive, a lot of items fall into the higher-end range, only a handful of products are under $10, with many gadgets and tools priced between $15 and $100. For some, the quality and uniqueness justify the cost; for others, the sticker shock may be real. Overall, Kitch delivers a fun, engaging, and well-curated shopping experience. It's a must‑visit for anyone who loves cooking or collecting clever kitchen tools. The prices may be steep, but the variety, atmosphere, and passion behind the store make it a solid 4‑star stop in Olde Mistick Village.

Nice merchandise, somewhat reasonable prices, but service is agressive and unfriendly. I picked a…read moreFrench Coffee Press off the shelf and the clerk took it out of my hands telling me that it is the floor model and I couldn't have it. Then she pursued me throughout the storing offering to order it for me. By then, I was afraid to buy anything. I ended up Buying the same coffee press at T.J. Maxx for half the price. Nobody to harass me at T.J. Maxx. So, I'd say they're worse than T-J. Maxx.

We went shopping here, so this review is for the store and not its cooking classes, which we…read moreunderstand get rather a mixed reaction. We came away quite positive about the stock and the staff. And we did make some purchases including several lovely pasta bowls and several utensils. Not a big haul, but one with products we can use and which we thought were fairly priced. You can find lots of items in this roomy store, from coffee makers to aprons, from mixers to cutting knives, and even some prepared edibles. It's all attractively and conveniently laid out. As mentioned, the staff was upbeat and helped us without delay including doing some needed good wrapping on breakable items. The store is located in the Shoppes at Farmington Valley shopping area, and remember, it's upscale not outlet. The cooking class area is really very attractive, but we didn't take any classes.