Sweet Tooth Haven

Customer Service, Defined

I would like to thank the good folks at Anchor Hocking for renewing my faith in Customer Service.  Here's my story:

I have been using ramekins covered with plastic wrap as little individual fruit bowls for at least a year.  I knew there had to be a better way, and during a recent shopping trip I found a set of Anchor Hocking glass storage bowls with plastic lids.  No more plastic wrap, Horray! 

After about a week, I was frustrated that two of the lids would not remained shut, no matter what.  Before I tried returning the entire set without any packaging or receipt, I decided (with very little hope) to try and contact Anchor Hocking for a replacement.  I looked up their website and found the Customer Service - Consumer Affairs email link. 

Here's my email dated 2/17/09:

Hello,

I recently purchased a set of glass storage containers at Target.  It was an 8 piece set containing 4 glass bowls and 4 lids.  Are there replacement lids available?   Two of the lids fit perfectly and stay on, but 2 lids keep popping off.

Thank you,
M

And the reply dated 2/20/09

Dear M:

Thank you for taking the time to contact Anchor Hocking regarding the
problem you have experienced with your glassware product offering.

Anchor Hocking strives to maintain high quality standards to produce the
finest glassware available. Therefore it is important for us to hear of
any problems that you experience with our product.

If you will provide the capacity size of the bowls or the UPC code we
will send replacement covers with our compliments. Please include your
last name and address (NO PO BOX).

We look forwarding to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

ANCHOR HOCKING COMPANY

Amy (last name removed)
Consumer Affairs


Quite surprising, right.  After I sent my last name and address I got an immediate reply that the lids would be arriving in 4-6 weeks.

And so, the lesson is, there are still some American companies that provide good, old fashioned customer service.  Thank you.

Art Effect Cake Tin

A cake tin after my heart.  Not only is it totally adorable, it proclaims one of life's most inarguable truths right on the top!  "Every thing is better with Cake and Frosting!"  Indeed! 

Only $17.50 at Art Effect - A great gift for your favorite baker!

The Mother Lode Has Arrived!

Don't you love getting packages?  Even when it's something I've ordered,  paid for, and expect, it's so much fun to come home and unpack the goodies.  It must come from the excitement of seeing that big, brown UPS truck pull up when we were kids and the possibilities that started going through our heads.  Just pure excitement.  That's how I felt yesterday when I came home to an enormous box from King Arthur Flour.  You see, I had a free shipping coupon that needed to be taken advantage of.  So, take advantage I did.  After all, we did have one day where the weather dipped below 70-degrees and I felt the stirring of baking season come upon me.   Plus, if you buy 5 mixes you get 15% off.  Here's my stock:

• caramel (The best ever!  My sister eats it right from the box.  Can you say, "Caramel Apples?" I thought so. Plus, these muffins look divine)
• cinnamon streusel muffin mix (2 boxes - They look delicious.)
• pop up pan (square muffins!)
• whole grain cinnamon bun mix (I had a wonderful 'from scratch' recipe, but I think these are worth a try.)
• touch of gold caramel (for drizzling)
• crumb cake mix (2 boxes - a personal favorite. Hostess has nothing on them.)
• chocolate indulgence cake mix (I've been drooling over this for ages.)
• cinnamon sugar plus
• cinnamon filling (also for the muffins)
• pull-apart Italian herb and cheese bread
• stoneware ring (for  pull-apart bread)
• espresso powder (A great add-in for chocolate items.)

After reading the list, I'm sure you learned something about me.  #1 I love caramel, and #2 I love cinnamon.  You also might be wondering, "What are all the mixes for? Doesn't she bake from scratch?"  The answer:  The mixes from King Arthur Flour don't even belong in the same category as the typical grocery store mixes.  And yes, I do bake from scratch, but if I can get some help, I take it.

Don't worry, I'll be keeping posted with results, pictures, reviews, and comments.  My co-workers don't know what they're in for!

Salad Servers Set

Bring some color to your kitchen!  Give Simple sells these melamine salad servers made by French Bull.  Perfect for a unique hostess or wedding gift.  Also check out their whole line of French Bull tableware including storage containers and plates.

Salad Servers Set on sale for $12-$15 at Give Simple

Unicorn Magnum Pepper Mill

Embarrassing though it is, I will admit that I've been using plastic, disposable pepper mills for several years.  I know it's a waste, both of money and resources, but I just haven't found the right mill for me. Currently there are only a few peppercorns left rattling in the bottom of my mill, so I decided it's time to do some research.    The testing lab at Cooks Illustrated gave the Unicorn Magnum Plus the top rating.  It might be more mill than I need, but after checking the competition, I think  it's the one.  There is a smaller version called just Magnum, which might be a better choice for me, but I'm still undecided.

King Arthur Flour

Why do I love King Arthur Flour?  Let my count the ways:

1. The catalog.  I drool over this like some people do the Victoria Secrets catalog.  They have fantastic baking gadgets and tools.
2. The recipes.  Their recipe collection is extensive and has never failed me.  Everything on it has been tested.
3. Baking mixes.  From scones to pet treats.  Tastes like you made it from scratch.  You can tell everyone you did.  After all you did have to add things like eggs and water to the mix.  You had to put it in the oven.  My favorite is the crumbcake.
4. Free classes.  If you live in or near Vermont I envy you.  The rest of us can enjoy a class when they come to our neighborhood.  Which isn't often enough. Or check out online classes.
5. The Baking Circle.  Join this message board and if you ever, ever have a question about baking.  Ask.  You will be answered.  Also get special offers via email.
6. The company is employee owned.  Nice to see in a world were everything is becoming owned by mega corporations.
7. I only use their flour.  Mostly I use all-purpose unbleached.  I want to start using more of the white whole wheat.  Check out the variety.  They are even starting to sell more organic products.
8. They have fabulous cookbooks.  Of course they're more like baking books, but what do you expect from a flour company.  Buy them from KAF's website, or buy them from Amazon.

Are those enough reasons? If you haven't been to their website or received their catalog, why not?  I've given you enough links.  I also put them in my side bar.