Country Kitchen SweetArt — Attraction in Fort Wayne

Years ago I enjoyed this store, though the prices are getting saltier (yikes!). If I could give five stars for great memories of CK, I'd do it in a heartbeat!

I wish to share a caveat with others about knowledgeable staff. Perhaps CK has new hires for the holidays, but I asked my sister to see if they carried pineapple flavoring for plain gelatin. I wanted to make sugar-free pineapple gelatin which is not available at my local grocers.

Country Kitchen is now 70 miles from my home, so returns and refunds are not easily obtained.

Sister was encouraged by a staffer to purchase a tiny bottle of Lorann flavoring for candy-making. No printed instructions, even though Sister let the clerk know she did not know how to use it for gelatin. She was told to use it much like any flavoring.

I used to be the candy maker of the family, and had misgivings when she handed it to me. If those wee concentrates could be used for gelatin, wouldn't Lorann have advertised it long ago?

But having no other recourse, using nothing but plain gelatin, prepared according to directions for a 2-cup batch, artificial sweetener, and a bit of citric acid, I tried. It was awful; tasting of chemicals. Some of the Lorann ingredients were propylene glycol and alcohol, which in candy-making is driven off by the heat of boiled sugar, leaving just the flavor.

I tried boiling the mixture, which did not improve the taste. It was ruined, and the cost lost because neither of us will be in Fort Wayne for months to come.

IF Lorann flavors CAN be used for gelatin, the clerk should have provided Sister with instructions. Under no circumstances should clerks push products this way. Country Kitchen is a place that not only sells products, but provides clear instructions for neophytes.

I'm very glad It was just one bottle, and not a larger quantity. Please take this as a warning that it may be prudent NOT to purchase something on faith that the clerk knows her/his products. Ask for a recipe or to be pointed toward one of their many information books.

Country Kitchen has excellent products, and for many years we bought from them. Clerks were very conscientious about being sure their customers had stellar results due to caring about the information they imparted. If any such old-timers still exist, ask for one! And always make sure they get...

The products themselves are fabulous. I’ve been a customer for several years now and I am pleased with everything I have purchased. However, the customer service leaves a great deal to be desired. I recently purchased a relatively small order, but it was things I needed soon to make themed cupcakes for my autistic grandson. I subsequently received from the company a text, a phone call an email asking me if they could. “send me a quote“ for cooling materials due to the extreme temperatures. I do not believe that is good customer service by any measure. Being somewhat familiar with online businesses, and in particular the price of cooling materials, I know that they could’ve easily packed that package safely with a relatively small amount of cooling material. I do not feel I should have had to request a quote for cooling materials and/or expedited shipping. After I sent my initial response to the text, expressing these sentiments, I received a lengthy text from the manager of the company that went on and on about their great customer service, but did not tell me anything that would relieve the situation or be beneficial to me in any way. As much as I do love the product, I canceled the order. They need to do better. And we will have to do without the Blippi themed cupcakes for my...

This store is Heaven for a sugar artist!!! It does not matter what medium you do: Cake Decorating, Candy Making or Chocolate Work this store has it all! What amazed me the most about the store is how organized everything was!

I spent the majority of my 90 minute Excursion going through the chocolate molds. This task was made easier due to the fact that they have a color version of what the chocolate will look like once it has come out of the mold and each piece is numbered so that you can quickly find the mold. The sales team was very friendly and checked on me occasionally without being pushy (as you might find in some stores). I also found the prices to be comparably lower then other cake stores in my area (Did I mention that I live 2 1/2 hours away in Ohio) and they have some wonderful discounts...

The only Negative that I found with the store is that I should not be allowed to shop there when I have my credit-card...😀 Lol

All kidding aside I have found a new cake decorating shop and recommend it highly for anyone. Whether you're a beginner or an expert or anywhere in between this is the...