Cooks of Crocus Hill — Local services in Saint Paul

Where do I even start with this atrocity they call a cooking store?

For one, when I walked inside I noticed the store was EXTREMELY unorganized. It looked like a hurricane had came through and threw their products everywhere! Granted, I know it was the holidays and they were busy, but come on. They clearly didn't have enough staff to keep up with the outpour of customers.

What really did it for me was their awful management and their whack return policy. I bought an over-priced espresso machine for my son and his wife for Christmas. I realized as soon as I got home that there were pieces rattling around in the box. I opened it and discovered that the machine had broke, almost like someone had dropped it.

I went back to the store the next day to return it. The girl at the counter said that they couldn't return it because it was broken. This was shocking to me as I had a receipt and had just bought the machine the day before.

Naturally I asked to speak to a manager as I was in disbelief this was their actual return policy. As soon as she came out I could tell it wouldn't be a pleasant interaction. She didn't even acknowledge my existence and clearly had a 'i'm better than you' attitude. Long story short, she took a look inside of the box and rudely declared that I broke it and she wouldn't be returning my money, even with a receipt!!

I am still extremely upset over this incident. I'm still in disbelief over what has happened. Never in my time on this Earth have I been treated like this at a store. That machine was expensive, and she wouldn't even hear my side of the story. I feel as if I have been completely ripped off :(

I would NEVER recommend this store to anyone! You're better off going to Walmart than going through the emotional...

This was my first experience with Cooks. I attended a 3 course meal preparation class with a dish from a different country for each course (“No passport required.”). I did not have any expectations since I have never taken a cooking class before.

My first impression was that the room was beautiful with a great deal of tidy cooking space with all top appliances and tools.

This class was taught by Chef Randi Madden. I was amazed how she managed to be present for each one of us with a class of about 14. I was also extremely impressed by the support individuals who cleared every mess up immediately and were continuously available. This includes our amazing dishwasher who was so kind and pleasant when my finger slipped on a grater and required a bandaid.

I had a task that seemed reasonable for my skills, but was anything but that. Chef Madden was patient, provided constructive and honest feedback for errors and had a great sense of humor. She spent a great deal of 1:1 time with me as I could see she did with the other students as well.

I will be taking a completely different type of class (cake decorating) with a different chef tomorrow. I am waitlisted for 2 other classes (one on Indian cuisine and one called knife skills that teaches technical skills about how to use knives with skill) and registered for Chef Madden’s 5 week cooking skill in a couple of months. The course/experience offerings are so varied and extensive.

I thought I was passionate about cooking before, but this experience was incredible. Thank you Cooks. You...

I scheduled a cooking class during the week of thanksgiving early November and was looking forward to it. About 4-5 days before the scheduled date, my class was canceled due to COVID-19 which is understandable. I asked if it were possible to get a full refund instead of a voucher as I don't live in or near Minnesota and would be impossible to redeem a gift card here. I can't cook which is why I wanted to attend the class, and don't own much cooking equipment to attend a virtual class which costs almost as much as the in person class. I didn't cancel the class but now I'm out of a lot of money with a voucher I'll never be able to use. Awesome.

Edit to owner: I understand the state of Minnesota shut down, I have nothing against that decision nor the cancellation of the class. Everything you’ve said is exactly what I stated I couldn’t do. As I said in my original review, I am bad at cooking so I don’t need cooking equipment, I wouldn’t be able to redeem it in person because I live in Indiana, and the whole point of doing the class was to do it with my partner who lives in another state so doing it virtually isn’t an option. Which is why I stated I am out of that money and inquired a full refund, which to me, means the entirety of the money that was paid going back into my bank not in the form of a voucher I can’t use.

Thank you...