Executive Chef

Nice store but their customer service couldn’t be worse!
We were shopping in store at 6:55pm, 5 minutes before their scheduled closing at 7pm. We knew we shouldn’t linger but we had an item to return from a previous visit, one in which we spent over $ 60. Both the young clerk and apparently her older supervisor were rude and unhelpful treating us both as an unwanted bother. The clincher was them turning off ALL INTERIOR LIGHTS at precisely 7pm while we were still shopping and transacting a return. OK, we get it. You’re officially closed at 7 but shouldn’t you treat a customer more courteously than to turn off all the lights while they’re shopping in your store? Like a restaurant, shouldn’t you remain pleasant and helpful until their business is finished?
I’ll never shop there again and if this behavior is indicative of their lack of customer service island wide, I suspect they won’t remain in business long!

It’s to bad you can’t give like a negative 5 star because that’s what executive Chef deserves. They don’t have good customer service, terribly high prices, no return policy, and worst of don’t support U.S. Troops and there families. You want to find satan he’s the owner. Also Vicki and Justin, terrible customer service.

Actually it’s a 4 star store with 2 star store policies, so I settled on a 3. It’s a great store to roam around, and they have tons of gadgets — my weakness. But the return policies are: money back with a receipt, store credit without one, even though they can find your purchase on the computer. This is archaic! The personnel were very helpful, but firm. The corporate policymakers should shop at Costco, return an item without a receipt, then review their policies.

I like this location better than the ward one. To be honest, the customer service here is a lot better, which is a huge plus.
If you know me well enough, you would know that food supply/​grocery stores are my Achilles heel… I can spend hours perusing each aisle, looking at every little thing, ooh-​ing and aah-​ing over vanilla bean paste, tea pots, baking pans, and even knives. Sigh. Oh the life of a foodie… Lol. Even if I don’t need it, I still have to look at it.
Both the husband and I have bought numerous things here… Cake decorating supplies, Shun knives, and other kitchen utensils. If you can’t find what you’re looking for anywhere else, chances are they have it.

I’ve given this store several chances, really wanting to love it as I moved to kailua a few months ago and love gadgets, especially cooking gadgets. Well, every time I’ve been here (three times) the employees have been rude. They either don’t smile, you have to track them down and feel like you’re inconveniencing them, or the worst was my experience at the cash register with an older lady who literally looked bothered at my purchase (my last and final time here). I saw this same lady the time before giving trouble to someone trying to make a return. I didn’t hear the details of why she couldn’t make the return but she could’ve been friendly and civil to this poor customer.
Ill add that my first time here I came for a mini cupcake pan — which they didn’t have!!! I had to go to Longs. Definitely will not be going back or recommending to friends.

HEAVEN! Is this what it looks and feels like to all you other domestic divas? I was nearly driving on the other side of the road when I saw this place being built! And as soon as my husband went back to work after christmas/​new years break I was out of there house and in my car booking it to Executive Chef!
I was only in the store to find one simple thing, but ended up browsing everything. You could get lost in such an amazing place… filled with shiny… beautiful stuff to make delicious creations in the kitchen. For a specialty store they are not over priced which was fabulous because who wants to spend $ 5+ dollars on shipping and tax for a veggie twister! My only issue with this place, is the same as others, and I will echo that there is almost no customer service from anyone. Its a nice thing sometimes when you just want to look at things but its horrible when you can’t find anyone to answer the questions you do have.
However, nothing can stop me from coming to this store! It will never disappoint!

I LOVE THIS STORE! My wife had to drag me out before I spent our entire savings. Speaking of spending, get ready because this place is not cheap.

Executive Chef is a great place to go if you like to cook or even if you don’t like cooking. They have every type of knick knack, gadget, kitchenware and cookware. Browsing is fun… you’ll always find things that you don’t need (but want).
They are located facing Kailua Road in the same building as Whole Foods. There’s lots of free parking in the back:
Their big deficiency is the lack of customer service. It’s virtually non-​existent which is a shame because this is a really beautiful store with exceptional merchandise and fills a niche in the community. I would definitely give Executive Chef another star if they had better customer service.
31 Unilocal Challenge: #5/​31

My long anticipation for this store to open was filled with disappointment just based on the customer service alone. Two weeks after they opened (right before Christmas) I walked in one evening to check it out finally. There was no more than 4 customers inside. I literally walked by 5 employees who I had eye contact with and none of them even broke a smile, said hello or offered to ask if I needed help finding something. They were all just standing around looking bored or checking out the gadgets. One employee wearing a Santa hat was staring right at me walking towards me and I’m thinking, here’s someone that will ask me, with my mouth about to open to ask her about a garlic crusher, and she just walked right on by. It was embarrassing.
When I got to the counter to pay, there were 3 ladies by the cash registers just looking at me, still no greeting. Just that look of «are you ready?». There was no one in line but me!
I asked about measuring spoons I had seen in their other location and questioned if they had any in stock. The answer was «no» and only no. I asked if they planned to get any and one of the gals appeared to work from the other location and running the place just shrugged her shoulders and said «not sure».
It was Christmas time! The busiest shopping time of the year! You’re a brand new store! What’s wrong with you people?
What a let down. I live in Kailua and cooking and baking is my passion. I really wanted this store to succeed. I planned to shop there every month if I could. But I can’t seem to get myself to return.
For that it had me signing up for Unilocal for the very first time to write a review.

I swear I am on crack when I enter this store. It’s like I am a five year old kid who just walked into Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory. And no, that is no exaggeration.
After receiving my first serious baking equipment, a red kitchen aid stand mixer, I decided I had to restock for tools, and all those little gadgets that make me feel like I’m Ina Garten baking in the Hamptons. A girl can dream right? But on to the serious stuff.
Executive Chef is located in the newly constructed building right next to the Kailua longs. It is right in the front, closets to the street and farthest from the parking, so no matter what, you’ll be parking far, at least in my opinion. Once you do get there, it is a really great place. I was told «Now don’t go crazy.» Unfortunately, that didn’t work. It was like I was sent to a baker’s heaven.
Once you enter, you will see long aisles that stretch across the store lined up with all sorts of different tools. Cookware is typically in the front, baking section in the middle and all of the miscellaneous items on the opposite end. They have everything you could ever imagine, and some of the things you’ll come across will make you wonder, «Why didn’t I think of that?» I would buy the entire store if I could, but the only thing that does holds me back is the cost. The prices are typically more than your average store, and compared to Amazon and even Ben Franklin down in Keolu, Executive Chef can cost you an arm and a leg. But do believe me when I say that their products are top-​notch quality, and I would expect nothing less.
In addition, at my most recent visit, I had a return to make. As to be expected, they were a bit hesitant. Executive Chef is a speciality store and are very strict when it comes to returns and exchanges, so be serious about your purchases. I almost wasn’t able to return my item!
Even after a couple of visits, Executive Chef never disappoints. Their wide variety of high-​end cooking and baking appliances offer an alternative to those junk pots and pans that have to be thrown away every year or so. I would definitely suggest taking a trip down, you never know what you might find.

You gotta love Executive Chef. From onion goggles to peanut butter cranks to banana guards, you always find something novel and unexpected at EC, and the new Kailua store is no exception. I have mixed feelings about the arrival of Executive Chef in Kailua, my backyard. On the one hand, I always have fun browsing their merchandise, but on the other hand, I usually end up buying something (or several somethings)! This could be dangerous.
Executive Chef specializes in higher end kitchenware with a price point to match. From a $ 1500 espresso maker to a $ 10 gadget, there is a huge array of «all things kitchen” – cookware, barware, linens, cutlery, gadgets and more, such as cake decorating equipment, home brewing kits, and personal mini salt and pepper shakers. If you can’t find it here, you probably don’t need it!
The staff at the Kailua location has (so far at least) been universally friendly and helpful. They offer gift wrapping services, free for purchases of $ 50 or more (one item only). Executive Chef is a good addition to the boutique, locally owned stores that locals and tourists alike love about Kailua Town. Store hours are Monday to Saturday 10am — 9pm and Sunday 10am — 6pm.
Unilocal 365 Challenge #126/​365