Target chit chat 07-25-2007

slowtech

Joined Mar 2007

L10: Grand Master

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slowtech

10-24-2012 at 10:15 AM.

Quote from teenbean

:

Hey ST, for the cooking classes, do they cost $. Do you have to RSVP ahead of time at the store?

I thought maybe taking a class with my Mom and Sister. Like for mother/daughter bonding time.

the cooking technique classes are free. you do have to sign up in advance, just call. my store calls you to remind you a day or 2 b4 and to make sure you are coming or else somebody on the waiting list can get a chance. just like the dentist. starting this coming wknd for the next 4ish wks will be on sundays and mondays at my williams-sonoma about thanksgiving. they might already be full but they may have a waiting list. then i think they will be off for the holidays and then start up again in jan(?). i like them b/c you can ask questions ex how to make it vegetarian, gluten free, how to do it in the crockpot, etc. of course they demo their products but you can always ask them what to substitute from the supermarket. i learn alot. i grill my veggies and plate them exactly the way i saw in class. i actually thought i learned the least in the baking class last wknd. well, i did learn i thought the pumpkin cake pops were cute but totally unsatisfying. i would have eaten 6 of them if i could. i have been learning that puff pastry is really easy and versatile. the instructor said she uses it to make chicken pot pie top. i would love to try that. multiple people in class recommended pepperidge farm.

the cookbook club is expensive but you get the signed cookbook w/ that.

then they have regular cooking classes that i think are a bit on the expensive side but the class is small, everyone gets to sit around the cooktop and can try their hand if they want to. i haven't attended one of those yet. the technique class is usually about 20+ people and if you don't get there early to grab a stool you have to stand for 1hr -1hr 20 min.

i'm totally satisfied w/ the free techniques class. i see newlywed couples come, sisters, mother and daughter, grandmother + mother + grandson attend classes, etc. there are regulars who come and start shopping b4 the class is even over. they have lots of promos going on and of course they announce them and sometimes demo them during class. you also get 10% off that day off of most stuff in the store. i use it to shop the clearance after the class. it makes the clearance gourmet foodstuffs very reasonable.

also for the knife technique class you got to have one knife sharpened free during the class instead of the 10% off that day. they do that one 2x/yr.

after class, i always see the instructor helping people shop the store for stuff if they had questions during class. (of course it's usually cheaper on amazon!)

if you go often, the salespeople get to know you by name. you can think of it as personal service or a bit spooky!

http://www.williams-sonoma.com/cu..._type=fnav

this month you can also sign up for a free half hour thanksgiving menu consultation where one of the *experts* will help you w/ any aspect of your menu.

if you have a whole foods, they have cooking classes too that are a bit cheaper. but of course they are *healthier*. if your store offers value tours, i recommend them. my store gives you a reusable shopping bag, a bag of pasta, a jar of tomato sauce and a bottle of salad dressing free after the tour. you can do it 3x/yr. it does take some of the *whole paycheck* vibe off of shopping there.

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