Cooking Club of America

Has anyone heard of this club or become a member? I received an offer to join and the paper sounded good but we all know how that goes. They make it sound so much better than it is. If anyone knows anything, good or bad, I'd love to hear it.

Thanks.

[Chef David Simpson]

If they want money, then don't go for it. I have never heard of it. And most of the time if it's too good to be true, then it probably isn't.

[Mezzaluna]

Sounds like a marketing ploy, where they get your name and send you tons of advertisements for cookware, exotic food, etc.

[Live_to_cook]

So what do you get as a member? I suppose that would make the difference. Give half off on All-Clad cookware and I'd consider signing up.

[nutcakes]

I have heard negative comments on this from another food forum. They say you are basically paying an inflated price for a not so good food magazine. They try to lure you in by making you think you are a product tester and get to keep the produce, but these are cheesy products mostly cheap.

[nutcakes]

I have heard negative comments on this from another food forum. They say you are basically paying an inflated price for a not so good food magazine. They try to lure you in by making you think you are a product tester and get to keep the product, but these are cheesy products mostly cheap.

[mudbug]

I received a copy of their first issue. The content is really not that bad. They are legitimate.

I don't think it's high end enough for professional chefs as it is for people who simply love to cook. For some weird reason, it reminds me of "Reader's Digest". It's got a "homey" feel and there is some sense of a "community" feel because they really try to include reader's recipes, etc.... You're not paying something for nothing, you get pretty decent content.

I went to an estate sale this summer where there was a cookbook about bread. It was by the Cooking Club of America (I didn't even know they made books), I just used it last night.

Their "hook" is that every month, some members are selected to "test and Keep free cooking products!" (everything from containers to appliances)

Check out their website: http://visitors.cookingclub.com/

[Katherine]

I've been on their mailing list since they started. They keep sending me these envelopes full of letters and glossy brochures, even though I've never responded. Each packet has a crescent-shaped plastic dough scraper, and I've got about half a dozen of them in my drawer. They come in really handy.

I never did generate enough enthusiasm to join, though.

I just went on their website and they use the same program as cheftalk.
I too got a trial membership for 3 months I'll let you know what it's all about.
Danielle

[Live_to_cook]

Homey? Reader's Digest? I've got this great new canned french style green been, cream of mushroom soup and French's fried onion casserole I want to tell you about...

[Live_to_cook]

Homey? Reader's Digest? I've got this great new canned french style green bean, cream of mushroom soup and French's fried onion casserole I want to tell you about...

I did subscribe but found the magazine pretty ordinary. I have much info and recipes in my kitchen library already and other food magazines are mujch better for the money -- not to mention the time to look through them. My favorite is Saveur.
Incidentally, I never got to be a product tester. Also, the "specials" they offered weren't special at all.
If you are a fairly accomplished cook -- amateur or professional, I think you'll be bored.

[Nick.Shu]

personally, i wouldnt know. However, much to my, hmm (dismay or delight), whatever, somehow i receive a magazine called "fine foods". fair enough, however, if it wasnt a 40 page publication with 39 pages of advertising, i probably would take it seriously. But to pay for such a mag, well, there you go.

I get mailings from them a couple of times a year - I haven't joined because I get so much stuff already. Plus, if I did join, they probably would stop sending me those cool little scrapers mentioned by someone else earlier. They are great for folding ingredients!