Chef Ceejay provided myself and 9 guest an excellent gourmet meal for my wife's 60th birthday held…read moremid-July 2020 on a hot day with only 6 days notice. I asked for a New Orleans-flavored menu of beef, chicken, corn-on-cob, fruit salad, coleslaw and shrimp skewers and man did he deliver. Everything was fresh, heated or cooled as needed, cooked just the way I asked. One of my guests from NOLA brags about his bbq and smoker skills and he wanted Chef Ceejay's contact info/business card for a future event he's planning. At my request, I met him at Cason's Fine Meats and paid cash for the food +$ and saw the high quality of protein he chose and met the fine staff there. The balance was paid on delivery. Next time, if he asks, I'll use VenMo. He can use me as reference. Larry C.

I had never been so excited to go to school in my whole life. For my birthday The Wife and the…read moreMother in Law had teamed up to get me a smoker grill to compliment my gas grill and a seven hour class with the NW BBQ and Grilling School. Ladies, want to make your man really, really happy? Buy him this class. You arrive at the school to the wafting aroma of wood chips and charcoal as the smokers and grills are all ready to go as you arrive. Traegers, grills, a big green egg... it's all there, all the best equipment. After checking in and getting to know your classmates it's into the classroom/kitchen for some "chalk talk" about the basics and then prepping some dishes. The main lesson that Stu (the instructor) tries to get across to you from the start is that barbecue and grilling are a "concept" and that there are almost no wrong answers. The answer of the day was, "Yep". How long does that cook for? Yep, it cooks until it's done How much cayenne pepper should I put in that sauce? Yep. Should I use hickory wood or applewood or mesquite? Yep. The time went by so fast as we prepped St Louis style ribs two ways, steamed and smoked. We prepped chicken several ways from beer can style grilled to smoked. We made our own barbecue sauce and smoked chicken wings. We made an amazing pulled pork and grilled apples and nectarines and stuffed green peppers. We grilled sweet potatoes and regular potatoes and spaghetti squash. Then, at 2:00, we had to do the best part of the school, we ate everything we made. But is it over? Hell no! Bloated from food from drink and in a semi-coma, Stu takes you back out to the grill to show you how make grilled pizza. The man is a devil. In between Stu dropped pearls of wisdom on us to make our own personal grilling experience better. Stu told us the best places to buy our meat, the best thermometers to use, the best liquids for injecting and more importantly, what not to do and use. If you go you'll be surprised at how laid back it is, and yet how intensely the information comes flying at you from every direction. You get to bring BYOB and many did, from beer to soda to water to wine, people brought their favorite grillin' beverages. You can also bring take home containers because let me tell you, you and your classmates are not finishing all that food. At the end of the class the email you all the "concepts" (recipes) to keep. I ran right home and made grilled pizza's for the Wife, the Mother in Law and the Tax Deduction. I was a freakin' hero. Isn't that the way it should be? A man, grilling for his family. Next week, pulled pork and grilled potatoes. Super Bowl at my place, Yeeps!

Interesting to read the varying reviews ranging from 1 star to 5 stars. My review is somewhere in…read morethe middle. One thing to remember is that in the past that had been different instructors. A review for one instructor may not reflect another instructor's class. Stu was the instructor for the class I attended. There were pros and there were cons to the class I attended. To begin with I did not find that he was pushing sales items too much as one reviewer mentioned. It's nice to know what is available and he had it available. Prices were not high. He also had different spices and rubs but none of them were pushed in this class. I felt Stu covered an awful lot of information in a very short time. I think it might have been a little too much with too many people for what was presented. However, with that said, I also think everyone walked away with a great deal of knowledge from the class. For the most part it was very good. A slide presentation was shown and moved along with a few items. The presentation and all the product knowledge from the class was available for sale as well as a website link to all the recipes. There was no way he could have covered all the information in the presentation on this class and stay within the time limit. The slide presentation was very nice and the ability to have it once you left the class, even nicer. Food items prepared were done in several different ways using spicy seasonings and not so spicy seasonings. In addition to brisket, ribs, chicken and pork, he also demonstrated cooking several different vegetables on the BBQ. There was a lot of food to eat and to take home. I believe we all learned a lot. However, with all those compliments about the class, there was definitely a big con with Stu. At the beginning, I actually thought about booking a private session for family. However, that was before he repeatedly used sexual innuendos and insinuations in his presentation. He thought he was funny using them as examples over and over again. He wasn't funny and it was extremely unprofessional. In addition, it left several in the class feeling uncomfortable. No way would I invite that behavior in our home with family. Thus, what would have been a 4 or 5 star rating, is dropped to 3.

All three of my kids have done classes at The Merry Kitchen and absolutely loved it! Most recently…read moremy daughter had her 8th birthday party there and everyone had an amazing time. The kids were so engaged and excited about what they were making and Julie did a wonderful job creating a memorable experience. And the food was delicious!

Wonderful for hosting kid's birthday parties! Chef Julie thought of everything and the kids had an…read moreamazing time. Highly recommend this for a fun party spot for your kiddos.

I cannot recommend Amanda enough. She was extremely communicative before the wedding. We went to…read morevisit the venue and she figured out exactly what we needed, measured, helped me order... All things I would have hated to do on my own. The day of she did all of the setup, coordinating, and tear down. When she needed help, she grabbed a few willing volunteers who were there early. We were able to relax and enjoy our day. Also, she literally saved my reception! There are 2 very similar venues and the caterer delivered it to the wrong one. We both had tacos, and even though their delivery was several hours early and a different vendor, they were ready to start eating. Amanda figured it out, wrangled people to help her go get the food, and brought everything back. We honestly had no idea until several days later. I would have been so stressed out if I knew about that and needed to take care of it on my own. I didn't have to, though. Because Amanda is amazing.

Had such a great experience at Kilnfolk taking their 2 hour intro to pottery wheel class. I…read moreappreciate all the information they send you ahead of the class - which they do go over in person. They have everything set up for you and they have aprons available but I definitely encourage you to bring clothes you don't mind getting dirty. The instructor was great - she goes over a step by step demo and then with the whole class the instructor goes over the steps again and you end up with a piece of your choice. I ended up having time to make 3 pieces in total. Highly recommend - very fun and a nice challenge!

I brought my daughters and nieces here for a Sunday afternoon something to do. We all had a great…read moretime and I personally feel like the price is appropriate for what you get. Myself included had 7 people. We all picked out a piece to paint. Shop provided the space, paints, brushes etc everything needed. Paid around $175.00 I thought that was pretty good. Includes them firing the pieces as well. This is definitely something we'll all do again!

I had the flowers delivered, but was told they were beautiful. They followed the delivery…read moreinstructions to a tee.

A beautiful bouquet was delivered on time and very great service. The flowers and chocolates were a…read morenice surprise.

My now husband and I got married on June 20, 2026. If I had to choose one word to describe the day,…read moreit would be "fairytale." The empress staff was nothing but caring, professional, and supportive throughout our entire booking. We booked during our tour with Zoe back in February 2025, and he was very detailed in his explanation of the venue to us. Zoe also worked with us during our first planning session, and he explained everything thoroughly, gave us advice on what would be best for our budget, and helped us make the best choices for our day. Kim has a heart of gold and is the kind of person who makes you feel like family the second you meet her. We would talk with her at some of our tastings and communicate with her via phone and email. We had our final in-person planning session with her, and she listened to every fine detail we wanted added and made sure they were in our banquet order. We also added on a day-of coordinator, and thank god we did. Alexandria is a gem; it felt like she was in five places at once, always with an amazing attitude. She decorated our arbor and made it perfect, she coordinated our other decor items and made it look phenomenal, she was quick to adjust to last-second changes, she worked seamlessly with our other vendors to help the day run smoothly, and she helped perfectly execute our vision and made it a day we will never forget! The culinary team did an amazing job; the food was delicious. The head chef came out to check with us personally during the wedding to make sure we enjoyed the food, and we also saw him at a couple of tasting events, checking with guests, which shows how much care he puts into making sure the food is up to standard. The bartenders were very friendly and personable, the wait staff was quick and efficient, and a few times we have come to the venue to see the landscaping team working tirelessly to keep it looking beautiful! Many of our guests raved to us about how much they loved the location, the venue, and the food. Overall, our day was seamless, magical, and perfect in every way we could imagine, and we have everyone on the empress team to thank for that.

My husband and I chose The Empress Estate for its beautiful setting and the promise of an…read moreall-inclusive package. While the grounds are undeniably stunning, our experience was unfortunately marred by significant food service errors, frustrating logistical constraints, and a persistent feeling of being nickel-and-dimed at every turn. The Aesthetics Of The Venue: (4/5) The main reason we booked this venue was its beauty, and it did not disappoint. The grounds are gorgeous with multiple ceremony sites, providing a great backup plan in case of rain. We loved the open, airy feel of the chateau for the reception, and the dedicated parking was convenient. The all-inclusive nature for basics like linens, plates, and forks was also a helpful starting point. The Food: A Tale of Two Disappointments (Tasting: 1/5, Wedding Day: 2/5) This is where our major issues began. Food Tasting & Cake Mix: Our concerns started with the paid food tasting sessions ($20/person). The food was underwhelming, with dry chicken and overly sweet chewy beef. We later discovered why the cakes were so disappointing: my in-laws found a large box of empty, store-bought cake mixes (including Betty Crocker and Great Value brands) on the premises (photo proof available). For a venue claiming to have a professional chef, this was shocking and a huge letdown. Other couples we spoke to also mentioned inconsistent food quality across different tastings. Wedding Day Meal & BEO Errors: Hoping to salvage the meal for our guests, we paid to upgrade our entire package to the Prime Rib. While it was an improvement, the meal was still mediocre. More importantly, our confirmed Banquet Event Order (BEO) was incorrect: Wrong Entrée: We ordered the Tuscan Chicken specifically because my mother-in-law dislikes mushrooms. According to their own menu, the dish is described as: "Baked tender breasts of chicken marinated in basil, olive oil, and garlic, topped with Tuscan sauce with bell pepper, onion, and basil." No where does it mention mushrooms. We were served Chicken Marsala instead, which contained mushrooms and was not what we ordered. Wrong Cake: We had multiple conversations about our desire for the Earl Grey cake, which was confirmed on our BEO. We were served Champagne cake and only told after the wedding that Earl Grey was "out of season"--a critical detail that was never communicated to us beforehand. To make matters worse, when we contacted the venue after the wedding about these errors, they refused to take accountability. They were adamant that the chef had followed the menu, despite the clear contradictions from our previous emails. They even recalled (deleted) a previous email which states that Earl Grey cake was out of season and that we were served the Chicken Marsala. We had already seen the email and have a picture of it. This disappointing response and refusal to acknowledge their mistakes only compounded our frustration. Staff and Communication On a positive note, the venue manager, Kim, was extremely polite, responsive, and helpful throughout the planning process. The day-of staff were also very friendly and attentive, even boxing up our leftover cake for us. They also brought us drinks before the wedding started, which was a nice touch. The Cons: Frustrating Policies, Hidden Costs, and Upsells Strict Timeline: The rigid 3pm-10pm timeframe is non-negotiable without a $500 fee. This rushed our setup and forced our reception to end by 9:10 PM to meet the 10 PM cleanup deadline. Mandatory Fees: Be prepared for significant, non-negotiable fees: a 20% "Staff Charge" plus an additional 5% "Staff Gratuity" are automatically added to your bill. Alcohol Package: The drinks were weak, served in small cups, and the selection was limited to basic options. No Child Discount:We were charged the full adult price, including alcohol, for two children. Numerous Upcharges: The venue charges extra for the preferred ceremony site ($500) and for taking photos in the mansion ($300-$500), which feels like being nickel-and-dimed. Outdated Suites: The getting-ready suites are functional but dated, with poor lighting and old furniture. Coordinator Upsell: The "all-inclusive" package does not include a day-of coordinator, which costs an additional $1,480. Cleanup: We had to clean up our own ceremony flower petals, despite paying a mandatory staffing fee. Final Thoughts While the Empress Estate is a beautiful property, the operational side of our experience was deeply flawed. The failure to deliver on our confirmed food order, the use of store-bought cake mix, the venue's refusal to take accountability, and the rigid timeline with constant upcharges left a sour taste. We cannot recommend it without serious reservations. If you book here, be prepared to triple-check every detail on your BEO and factor in the extra costs for the time and features you will almost certainly need.

As an event industry professional and the mother of the bride, I worked closely with my daughter…read morethroughout her planning process and participated directly in our vendor consultations. While my daughter signed the contract so I could step back and enjoy the day, the experience with the owner, Elle, was deeply disappointing. Her hired day-of staff were not the problem--in fact, it would have been much better to deal with them directly--but Elle's personal management and attitude caused immense friction.Communication was a major issue; we experienced a 3-week total response blackout from Elle just 1.5 weeks before the wedding day. This occurred while we were trying to finalize critical deliverables regarding venue layout, alcohol-to-guest calculations, and champagne glassware logistics. This forced me into professional backup mode to source emergency alternative vendors out of fear of a total no-show. When contact was finally re-established after multiple voicemails and texts, her explanation was a personal bout with the flu and a lack of business backup systems.Logistics were handled incredibly poorly. At 7:05 PM just two nights before the wedding, Elle sent a last-minute text message asking if she and her staff should cover the beginning or the end of the day because only 10 hours were budgeted for herself and a mere 6 hours for her staff. A professional coordinator guides the timeline and sets those labor expectations months in advance, not via a sudden text message less than 48 hours before guest arrival. Furthermore, on-site during the event, Elle managed to alienate virtually everyone around her--creating unnecessary tension with our officiant, family volunteers, our outside vendor partners, and even several of our wedding guests.I always want to support women in business, but Elle's defensive public responses to my family's direct reviews show a complete refusal to accept feedback, characterizing our standard consultation prep and timeline review as "extra time." I am posting this transparently to ensure future clients have an accurate picture of her operational gaps. I sincerely hope she uses this as a turning point to implement professional standard operating procedures.

I had the pleasure of working with Elle Beauty and Events during my time as General Operations…read moreManager at Aurora Colony Vineyards. Elle was hired by ACV and Brides & Grooms, where Elle served as a third-party bartender for weddings and events. Elle consistently impressed us with her punctuality, professionalism, and adherence to all industry standards. She ensures that her pricing is fair and transparent, which was a refreshing quality that kept us on the same page throughout each event. Elle has a unique ability to handle difficult situations with grace and professionalism. When patrons needed to be cut off, she was assertive and clear without ever sacrificing her professional demeanor. Her setups are always thoughtfully designed and in line with current trends, and her drinks are as creative as they are delicious. I highly recommend Elle Beauty and Events for anyone looking for an outstanding, reliable bartender for special events.