I've been shopping Sur La Table, since we discovered them in Seattle, and then enjoyed local stores around the Bay Area. We've also been fans of Williams Sonoma since the beginning. This store is one of the very few independents that stocks high quality items that the two biggies don't have, and regularlyl Can't walk in without walking out with something. And by the way, to all the reviews of Chef Works listed here, this is an independent store, no connection. Also, be kind about returns. You can see the goods before buying, and shouldn't return anything used for food... it just raises the cost for the store, and the prices for the rest of us.... please own your choices! read more

After years of debate, I decided to buy an espresso machine and chose to support a local shop instead of ordering online. When I checked their website, a 10% discount popped up, and when I visited the store, a kind employee (perhaps a manager) honored it, which was such a great experience. Two days later, I returned to exchange the machine for a different one and asked if the discount could still apply. The employee helping me didn't bother to find out, and another staff member interrupted with a forced smile and a cold tone. I was surprised, especially since I was upgrading from a $500 to a $700 machine. Instead, I was told I should be grateful for a $2 parking validation. I would have been OK if there was some genuine warmth with their response, but the cold interaction left a bad impression. It used to be one of my favorite kitchen stores, but now that unpleasant moment is what sticks with me. read more

Jackson was very accommodating and knowledgeable with the information that he shared regarding the mixer and oven we are interested in buying. The staff are all nice. Totally my go to store now for kitchen and small appliances . read more

There are many kitchen supply stores; every mall seems to have one. But Toque Blanche had a feeling that the selection of items for sale was curated. They were more interesting than most similar stores, and the staff was knowledgeable and enthusiastic about their stuff. We ended up just getting a couple small items at first, and the value was good. I had been looking for a bar atomizer for a while for my absinthe. As we started to leave, we noticed a black sesame chocolate bar that The Wife could not pass up. They told us all about the supplier, how popular it was, etc. Again, attentive and enthusiastic employees. read more

Toque Blanche - Kitchen Supplies Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

Great business. Excellent inventory, knowledgeable staff with good pricing that includes a nice rewards program.

Great selection of items on sale at reasonable prices. The staff were super helpful and answered all of my questions.

My son recently took me to Toque Blanche for the first time. It was amazing! This kitchen supply store has the largest selection of top chef products in Santa Cruz county. David and Jacob were very professional and knowledgeable. Made me feel comfortable and I enjoyed seeing all the newest products out there now that make your life so much more interesting and easier. If you haven't been here, take time to check it out. read more

Great service and stock. Prices are high and sales are not very often on most items. Overall a great store to explore but I wouldn't expect a deal. read more

Service, selection, and value are all great. I recommend this business. Better than buying online.

I just discovered this shop during this holiday season and I was so happy to see they had the products I was looking for!!! Such great service and the atmosphere was great!! The staff was helpful and kind!! I'm now a forever customer and will be recommending this shop to anyone and everyone (: read more

A Sur la Table and Sonoma Williams. A candy store for me, if you will. I have many spring form pans, cookie trays, cupcake trays, and whatever a bake-a-holic might need but when I moved, I am certain I left my bundt cake pan and bread pan behind. Two weeks past Thanksgiving, we were due to have Thanksgiving. Finally. He told me what we'll be having. He told me that I will be responsible for the desserts. Besides from the usual cookies and cakes, I opted to make chocolate and Nutella Semifreddo and chocolate eclair cake. At first I wanted to mold the Semifreddo in a bread pan but in the end I stuffed it into ramekins. But yes, I came for the bread pan. I got the bread pan and a Christmas tree cookie cutter for the kids. Service was friendly and I wish I could buy every single item that they have. I did not see a clearance rack but there were some items on sale but I refrained from making impulse buys. Unfortunately for my wallet, I shall be back! P.S. The eclair cake and Semifreddo was delicious! read more

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Shout out to Mo who was incredibly helpful in the knife department. Knowledgeable, considerate, encouraging. Learned a thing or two and left with an upgraded knife sharpener that should last for years. Thanks, Mo! read more

Fanny was very helpful and the samples of vinegar and olive oil were great! Fancy stuff inside, but great service and unpretentious.

Jared was amazing. What a personality, so nice and informative. I felt like we were at a real show! My sister and I had such a good experience! Thanks Jared!! read more

I love this store and wish I had an unlimited budget every time I shop here. It's a great place for kitchenware that will last, I always know I can trust the brands they carry. They also have all the little kitchen knick-knacks that every kitchen needs and which make great gifts. I wish I could give them extra stars right now. I recently broke the lid on my kitchen compost container. The company sells lids, but only wholesale, and I really didn't want to have to buy a whole new one. I sent them an email and they happily placed a special order for me for a lid. You can't beat customer service like that! read more

Great kitchen store with high quality ceramics, knives, Kitchenware , cast iron pots, coffee pots. Good service. Yelp has a 10% off first purchase. read more

1st visit to Santa Cruz location. We've been to HMB location several times. Parking is metered and there's a parking garage around the corner. Kewl store for cook/kitchen geeks. Nice selection of quality products. I always find something I need. Cheers! read more

Great stuff here. Something for everyone whether you're a total beginner or serious cook... or just looking for a nice gift. From All Clad to cast iron to teapots to more gadgetry and cookie cutters than I've ever seen in one place. It slices, it dices, it juliennes. It's shit you didn't even know you needed. Helpful, friendly staff ... and knife sharpening services, too. Locally owned. Pay a visit. read more

All the staff was extremely helpful and willing to answer any questions. Michael rang us up and wrapped our gifts beautifully for the wedding we were attending. I am so grateful for the fantastic service and gorgeous store here! read more

I love a good kitchen shop, and this one is especially good. The personnel were outstanding, kind and helpful. I actually had to go back again after my first visit to pick up some more items that I can't get in my town. Despite the high end merchandise, prices were reasonable for the most part. If you wanted a big expensive laminated rolling pin, you could find it there, but there is also a large selection of items at a good price that you might actually need. A great stop for those interested in cooking! read more

I love this store. I wanted to order more of the plates we use and they were backordered. Toque communicated updates and when the plates arrived there was a thank you note included. Just a very thoughtful approach with customers in general, and I love the products (kitchenware). read more

Wonderful selection... Great staff...especially Meriem...she is so thoughtful... and welcoming. If I had a business I'd hire her. Stop by and browse... fun to just look for ideas. read more

Oh Chefworks, you confuse me so! I'm always griping and getting my panties in a bunch about poor customer service...however, what do you do when you are paid TOO much attention to? Well, I will agree with another reviewer that staff can come off as rude...at first. During my last visit, I think that they thought I was going to steal something since I kept touching the coffee and espresso-makers. But, seriously, I am an espresso connoisseur, so I before I purchase a machine I am hopefully going to be using for many years to come, I want to, well, handle it. The woman who approached me seemed annoyed at first, until she asked me if I needed help...when she found out that I did and that I knew my espresso makers she was nearly ecstatic to help me. This is where the trouble began. She proceeded to only show me the espresso machines that brewed pods. I am sure that they are a lovely choice for many people, but they're just not my schtick...not that the saleslady cared, I think she must love the sound of her voice, either that or the sales pitch. I ended up feeling BAD for her and let myself be sucked in to a half hour monologue detailing the glories of an espresso maker that I knew I wasn't going to purchase after 5 minutes of listening to her spiel. Needless to say, my friend PRETENDED we were going to be late for a movie so we could get out of there. I've always wanted to leisurely browse the aisles at Chefworks, but every time I've tried it seems I am either approached by overzealous sales people (do they get commission?) or treated like a potential theif...so...*sigh* read more

They have some really neat stuff, I was stoked to find this store. There were so many things I wanted but nobody ever talked to me.... However they had plenty of free time to follow me around... read more

I'm ashamed. Reviewing ANOTHER cooking supply store. Its official...I'm obsessed. Last friday (black friday...bad idea) was my third (?) time in Chefworks. Yes it is expensive. Yes it is disorganized. Yes it is quite cramped. Yes they sell things you can buy at other ritzy cooking supply stores. But you know what? I don't really give a hoot. I like perusing around inside places like this, amazed at all the gizmos that I wish I could own. I did buy a pastry tip, one that I couldn't find anywhere else, I might add. 4 stars. Will update to 5 when I receive my All-Clad Copper Core pan set free of charge. A girl can dream, right? read more

Whenever I come here with my girlfriend her eyes light up, it's like a field day. We always have to establish a pre-set budget or we're liable to get caught up in spend-craziness. Anything kitchen you can think of, they've got it or can probably get it. Some of their products aren't the best, but it's easy to overlook when you've got so much other stuff to drool over in there. read more

Great selection, incredible for such a small town as 'cruz. They have things that I have never seen at Sur La Table and Williams Sonoma over the hill. They are also very helpful here, good service. However, returns are much harder at Chefworks than at Sur La Table and Williams Sonoma; corporate America allows you to return items even if you have used them and are not happy. BUT THIS IS NOT THE CASE AT CHEFWORKS! If you use something bought here--it's yours, NO returns on anything used. They are also bad about restocking things. If you see something you like, and it gets sold, you may never see it again in the shop. It's hit or miss. Unlike at Sur La Table or Williams Sonoma where it will be automatically restocked in a short time. They have a good buyer with a great eye, but many of their purchases seem like one time buys, and I wish I knew where to get them after Chefworks is sold out (internet searches usually ensue for me). read more

The boyfriend and I have made our first "kitchenware purchase" together *awwwwwwwwww* and although we did not buy it here, this was a great place to start. Some how we got onto the discussion of ice cream makers and in one of our many walks downtown, we decided to try here. I love this place and could spend hours dreaming up what my ideal kitchen would be like.... knowledgeable staff and we sifted through several ice cream cookbooks and looked at the view models they had in order to start brainstorming. They have some great espresso machines and accessories for coffee snobs like myself :-D read more

If you're looking for a place to stock up on basic kitchenware, Chefworks is not the place--go to Target, Macy's, or another department store. Chefworks is for people who really know kitchens, or a place for you to get a gift certificate or small something for a friend who really knows kitchens. There are lots of specialty items for bakers and chefs alike, very high-quality cookware, cookbooks, aprons and linens, knives, ceramics, and other fancy accessories. There are cookie cutters in every imaginable shape, and there are plenty of brands of most items to choose from. Everything I've bought from the store has held up quite well and done their jobs very nicely, so no complaints there. read more

This is the kind of place that kitchen gadget freaks drool over. Highly specialized culinary tools of all types fill shelves or dangle on wall after wall, just begging you to take them home, for (in some cases) a hefty price. A banana slicer: that's right a slicer that you absolutely need to take home to perfectly slice that lonely banana that you simply won't touch unless you have the perfect slicing implement. Onion goggles! To provide Ironman-like protection from the onslaught of the tear-producing propanethiol S-oxide that launches itself straight at your baby-blues to turn on those tear-ducts. But wait, there's more! Thermometers, spatulas, timers, mashers, measuring thingies and pots and books and things that you didn't even know needed inventing are all there waiting for you to examine and gawk or wonder at, "Hey why didn't I think of that?" Yeah I'm a sucker for these doo-dads and I'm so glad that I don't live too this place. But I do love places like this. read more

If I could I would go with 3.5 stars. Love the local business vibe but that means it can fall short on stock (they do have one of everything, but what if you need 3 of one thing?) and they have discussions in front of customers that should be held in private. Big garage right behind it so it is fairly easy to stop in and grab something. Nice place to get a kitchen gift, if it needs to be returned they have plenty of options..unless they want three of same thing. read more

The staff is really nice here and wiling to go out of there way to help you. I'm no chef but when I need something or am looking for a gift I know where to go. It's a big store with everything from gadgets to glasses, recipe books to nik naks. I've bought a cookbook here, a espresso cup thing (yeah I don't do espresso either - the hubby does), mixing bowl and a champagne chiller. All have been of quality and nice. It's cute, clean and in the heart of downtown. A nice place to browse and a nice place to find something useful. read more

I had the absolute BEST service here! They have switched owners and their employees are sweet, caring, and are willing to help! You can taste test their spices and try out their knives. My boyfriend and I went and he, being a chef, was extremely impressed with their products and service. What an amazing place to shop! We won't go anywhere else now for our kitchen products. read more

Chefworks always takes excellent care of us. They know me, they know my puppy, too. Great selection of high end kitchen supplies (pots, pans, small appliances). read more

They have excellent selection for anything that you might need in the kitchen, and usually have most items in stock. I would say that their prices are fair, but definitely don't go here expecting the 99 cent store. Service is normally decent if you seek it out, though you are unlikely to be approached by anyone without asking for help. Located at the upper end of Pacific Avenue in Downtown Santa Cruz, parking is a downfall of this location. You will have to park in either a metered space, or there is a small free lot within walking distance. read more

Bad customer service. Would be helpful to hire someone who has kitchen experience. Poorly stocked store.

I spoke with someone I believed to be a manager. She accepted my returns without question. I'm not sure why the assistant manager wouldn't accept the return. read more

Westside local here who usually loves to shop here with my daughter. Always two thumbs up for product quality. Two thumbs down yesterday for service. Two male employees were working the front without even a "hello" to me (must have been my bad hair day...lol) but were more than cordial to those who LOOKED like they had money to spend. Remember, don't judge a book by its cover folks, especially here in Santa Cruz. I was ready to spend some $$$$ but decided to spend my money elsewhere.... read more

This is a fantastic kitchen store! The selection is everything you could want for this type of store - definitely worth going downtown for, and the prices are actually reasonable! They have very interesting cookware, lovely linens and kitchen towels, a variety of aprons, all the tools the chef in your life could want. I only had one complaint, so I'm taking off one star because the cashiers were very free with their political views. I am so tired of all the political divisiveness and was just looking for a pleasant shopping trip with my family while in Santa Cruz, so I could have done without that. Otherwise, I highly recommend this store. read more

RUDE to the point of insulting! Just telephoned asking about pricing on a set of round cookie cutters at 10:00am this morning. I guess it was just too early for this gal because the saleswoman would not check or even estimate a range of pricing for me. Get over yourself sweetheart. When the boss starts cutting the staff after Christmas ask yourself why you were first to go. ATTITUDE!!! read more