Gourmet Pantry

My boyfriend and I had shopped there a few times and wanted to take a class, so we signed up for a class almost two months ahead of time because ""they fill up very quickly."" The afternoon before the class, they called and cancelled on us. We were so disappointed: first, with the cancelled class and second, with their dismissive, condescending attitude.\r \r With every interaction since this offhanded cancellation, people at this business were downright unpleasant. NEVER go there--avoid at all costs! We're going to Roanoke for our cooking classes now that are cheaper with much nicer people--who don't cancel on us at the last minute! more

I love this store. We have very few options to find the items Gourmet Pantry carries in the area. If you want to pay WalMart prices and WalMart has your item..then go there. I try not to go in WalMart and support the local businesses whenever I can. It is in a college town so the staff may be college students and not as knowledgeable as an Iron Chef contestant. That does not take away from this lovely store. The owner is very nice, approachable, and if she is there she comes out to greet customers. I often hear her call customers by his or her name. I have ordered fresh seafood from them several times and have never been disappointed. The vendor they get the fish from brings it on Thursday afternoons. They also have a beef vendor you may order beef from. We have taken 4 different cooking classes here, had fun and always learn something. The cooking classes have limited sizes, affordable priced, and it is interactive so you can ask questions while someone else is cooking all the food. The food is delicious and healthfully made. more

I love the store, I can shop and look around all day, the staffs are very helpful and the products are awesome and unique. I will definitely shop there again! more

Avoid this store!!! Go anywhere but not to this shop as once your money is gone its never coming back. The store able to get few tourists suck in and that is it but none of the local is going to it. Looking at how high the prices are and no value in anything, I wouldn't be surprised if this store close down soon. more

Never going back to this place again as owner didn't kept her words. Booked a cooking class,which I had to cancel because of an emergency. Owner agreed that she would refund the money in case I cancel the cooking class, but did not do it. more

I agree with Luvscooking that this shop is more about the owner than the customers but it should be the other way around. Collection was good, but prices didn't impress me at all. Same brands and products could be obtained for cheaper elsewhere. They should give serious thought to all the comments/reviews and fix them. This shop has very good potential to become major area attraction. more

The Gourmet Pantry provides a touch of class for the gourmet cook in Blacksburg and that's greatly appreciated. However, as some of the reviewers have pointed out, the store staff could use a few lessons in correct customer service. I ordered some of the wild-caught fish a while ago and when it didn't come in on time, instead of being understanding of my concern over the delay, the owner and her son basically just ignored me. I never ordered fish from them again. And while a lot of the equipment they sell is wonderful, it is quite expensive, understandable since the shop's overhead must be quite high. more

Gourmet Pantry is THE place in Blacksburg for high-end cooking equipment, classes and ingredients! Staff are friendly and helpful. more

I have been a customer since she originally opened the store and I have never had any poor service. The staff was very helpful and knowledgeable. If they do not have the item I am looking for, they will order it. I have also been taking cooking classes for about 5 years and have never been disappointed. I enthusiastically recommend this store to anyone interested in cooking and good food! more

Not sure why some of the reviews I read. The owner and her staff have always been professional. They willingly take back merchandize and the prices are very reasonable. If you are in Blacksburg and in need of any kitchen items, the Gourmet Pantry is a must! more

I absolutely LOVE this store...I have been a customer for many years---this store only gets better. I've taken two classes so far and each is incredibly informative and FUN!! Unlike another reviewer commented, I am glad that Roya is teaching most of the classes as she is an expert--she knows what she's doing. It is part of the store experience and one of the reasons she moved to a new location--to be able to share her wealth of cooking knowledge. The customer service at the Gourmet Pantry is way above average--all employees are knowledgeable and friendly. I especially love the food and wine events they have, it's my neighborhood store!!! Highly recommend this store!! more

Me and my wife visited this place several times, very good quality items, cooking class specially the Italian one is very good and I highly recommend it. more

I bought some chocolates from this shop, but received wrong product because of manager's clumsiness. I took it back to the shop, but manager and owner refuse to exchange it even with the receipt. I am not going back there and neither are my friends and family. This shop is notorious in the town for being overpriced and poor customer service of which I had the first -hand experience. more

This is a very dishonest store in a small town like BBurg. Roya, the owner would not do anything for you(returns, exchange, change in schedule etc) and she would not be willing to talk to you if you are not paying her. Very very overpriced store and I don't see a reason to buy anything from there, which you could get at other local store, fresh market in Roanoke etc. Her mark-ups on every item was more than 300%, so waste your money if you like. 80% of the classes they provide are of no use and are very overrated and infact she try to teach almost half of the classes to save money for herself. Literally, no value in these classes.... Strict warning - fancy, overpriced store with horrible customer service. Compare prices online before buying anything. more

Be VERY wary of signing up for or making plans for any of their cooking classes. Apparently, they're completely oblivious to the schedule of Virginia Tech - the basis for virtually all their business. First hand experience says they think nothing of canceling a class with less than 48 hours notice due to just noticing in the middle of the week that it's SPRING BREAK. Pros: Nice little overpriced knick-nacks Cons: Zero concern for the problems *their* mistakes cause more