Executive Chef

I keep hoping that Executive Chef will open somewhere else in Honolulu! They were the best kitchen shop in town! I always found what I was looking for at a reasonable price in their shop (s). Sad when Kailua closed too!

I was crushed to find out this place is closed! You are guaranteed to find that kitchen gadget you are looking for! So sad!

At end of the day with people walking around inside still shopping and crowded the lady at the door tells me come back tomorrow and all I needed was one thing… forget it there are other places I can get what I need if you don’t want my business that’s fine

Before I moved to Hawaii I loved to entertain. I would have parties and events for everything. I used to host a large BBQ every weekend for 4 – 5 months out of the year. When I moved here I had to downside tremendously so if I’m anywhere near the the Ward Center sans kid I’m in here checking out the newest, coolest stuff. They have everything high end kitchen tools to every cookie cutter you can imagine. If you are looking for something for a party I definitely recommend coming in and seeing what they have.

They have a great selection of items to choose from but when you compare prices, I often times will just rely on Amazon for similar products.

The good:
Hooray for carrying Guittard chocolate chips in varying hues! Executive Chef has a tidy array of dessert-​making supplies, edible glitter, meringue powder, and extracts– enough to make any pastry chef-​wannabe happy!
The not-​so-​good:
I usually have a strong inclination to support local, small businesses, but their sad, slightly lackadaisical staff makes this place hard to want to support. The mark-​up is quite high on certain things (hint: it’s much cheaper to get pots, pans, and stemware at TJ Maxx across the street) and some of the merchandise is a little tired. For the same price point, I’d much rather go to Williams-​Sonoma to satiate my culinary tool fix (and for better customer service too).

Current review… I took my sister here. I can say it was a wonderful day. I haven’t been here for several years. Thee first time I walked into this store, I was overwhelmed because I didn’t know what I was looking for. Now that I’m into baking, I know exactly what I need from here… EVERYTHING…Thee clerks were very friendly n new exactly where everything was located. They’ll check up on u, but also gave u time to browse… which we both did! We bought several cookie cutters n a whole bunch of stuffs. I asked them how long this store have been here? She said 30 years! Wow… you could never tell, because the store is well kept n clean. So thank you Executive Chef, because of a wonderful experience. This will be my sister an I go to place n bring my other two sisters, an have a nice Sisters Day to browse n shop, with cocktails n lunch after!!!

Love this store… great assortment of everything you need for your kitchen… a couple of weeks ago they had a great sale…25% off of everything! EVERYTHING!
I bought lots of gifts and a great timer that can track 3 times. My other favorite for the day was the Joseph Joseph expandable trivet.
I love that they have such a wide assortment of items at fair prices. Locally owned. so whether you are shopping for yourself or for gifts you can always find something here.
People were very helpful and the owner was in the store. Very nice man who cares about his customers!
When in need of any kitchen items, be sure to go to Executive Chef!

3 stars for snooty-​ness. come on workers– be nice. I stop in whenever I’m at Ward Warehouse because it’s fun to look at all the kitchen and bath supplies. They have a pretty extensive collection of all things kitchen including baking supplies. The hubs even found some grilling goodies to get on our last visit there.
Only if the staff were friendlier.
Only if they actually had sales or discounted items that are actually useful.
Only if …

I really want to love this shop, because they’re about the only place to carry a decent range of cake-​decorating supplies, but it has two things working against it.
First, the prices are high, even for Hawaii. I can order stuff online, pay astronomical shipping rates, and still come out cheaper than Executive Chef. I’ve been in here many times, but never managed to actually purchase anything.
Second, even though they have a lot of stuff in stock, they never seem to have THE thing I’m looking for. You wouldn’t think white sprinkles or matte pink petal dust would be tough to find when they have plenty of sprinkles and dusts in stock. Just not the ones I need!
Small range of fondant, meringue powder, flavorings. Decent supply of piping tips, colored sugars, cupcake papers, napkins, bakeware, knives, and kitchen gadgets.
I had such high hopes for this place, but, alas, the island still lacks a proper cake supply. Fondants, gum pastes, cake boards, gel colors, luster dusts, pans, tools. Anyone that does will get gobs of business from me!

Great selection! This is one of my favorite stores to wander thru, especially close to the Christmas holidays. I have a few hard to shop for friends and always find the perfect something for them here… no matter what the cost! Haha AND THEY GIFT WRAP.

This is a super stop along the Ward Street shops. It’s located to the back side of the strip mall and to the far left end. Park close because you’ll have a lot to carry.
I went in there to kill some time and couldn’t stop myself from picking-​up and diddling with everything there within hands reach! We finally decided on a nice looking and very utilitarian spice rack, which we are in desperate need of. It was about $ 30 with tax,
This isn’t a «Wal-​Mart» store, it’s a Kitchen store and you will find all sorts of things you can’t find elsewhere’s, so that explains the prices.
Hey, you want a unique home kitchen, come here. Spices, herbs, spoons, mixers, this’s and that’s… it’s all here. Enjoy!

Great local store for all your kitchen needs!
This is really the best place to find your kitchen items and specialty items. They have all sorts to cool gourmet stuff, like cookies and pancake mix (from gourmet brands you find in many places here).

I’m giving them five stars because of their fast friendly and efficient service.
I’ve been looking for whipped-​cream chargers for work since William Sonoma is out and said they couldn’t help us order more and suggested we call executive chef, so I did and boy I’m glad I did!
They had 2 left and held it on the side for me to pickup and when I asked them when they’ll have more, they said they’ll call their Kailua location and ask how much they have in stock and I guess they were fully in stock so she asked me how many I would need and just like that she said once it comes in she’ll give me a call.
Less than a day later, she called me back and said that it was ready for pickup! Fast and efficient is how I love getting things done! So for that I give them 5 stars. I found them to be cheaper than Compleat Kitchen.
They have LOTS of baking goods. Other than that I was here on a mission, perhaps next time I will shop around for other goodies.

Any time I’m at Ward Warehouse and have to kill time, I normally take a stroll through Executive Chef. I love to cook/​bake and this place really seems to have it all. Just ask my bf, I can spend a LOT of time in this store just milling through the isles. If I had the money, I’d be buying all kinds of things from them left and right.
Downside:
While they have just about anything you can think of related to cooking/​baking, the price points for the things they sell tend to be on the higher/​pricier end. They do have sales, but they’re occasional and you have to have seen a sign in their store to really know about it.

Nice selection of products. Tons of cookie cutters and other fun stuff. However customer service is crap. Purchased a pepper grinder that broke within a day. Wouldn’t accept a return. So much for supporting local businesses.
Told a manager wasn’t available and wouldn’t provide their name nor contact information. Instructed to return later the week. Why should I have to drive all the way back just for their incompetence? Avoid unless you need something fast.

Seriously, fuck this place.
We went in there about an hour ago to look for squeeze bottles for kitchen use. We encountered five employees. just standing there. It seems as if they were waiting for someone to help or looking for something to do. However, once you make eye contact with them, they proceed to look down at the ground or at their feet.
Are the employees here not allowed to talk to customers? I have NEVER been helped here. EVER.
EVER.
I wanted to stop in on a whim, on a hope that they carried the bottles I was looking for. I didn’t find any. And if they actually stocked these there, I wouldn’t know because no one helped us.
AGAIN.
I will NEVER EVER attempt to enter their doors again. If I wanted to be treated like shit I would have gone and pissed in a cops open mouth.

I like coming to this place because it has all the cool baking/​cooking ware. Sometimes I go even though I don’t really need anything. I especially like it because they are stocked with all kinds of star shaped cooking supplies! LoL.
Unilocal 365 Challenge #356/​365

If the need for a specialty tool for your kitchen arises, Executive Chef is probably going to have it. They offer a wide selection of products at rather reasonable prices, however their lacking service prevents me from shopping there more.
Located right in Ward Warehouse, it can be extremely convenient to drive in/​out during the day. However, the night can be busy when you are competing for parking from the theater and other dining establishments.
The store is well laid out by section and cooking style. The store offers rather good sized aisle ways and an overall pleasant atmosphere that is comfortable to shop in. The sections are arranged well and it’s pretty easy to find the items that you are looking for. Whether it is a pastry bag or a non-​stick skillet, a rammekin or coloring tips, they are sure to have it easily available.
The service is a little hit or miss. I have had a few occasions where they have been very attentive and helpful and other times where they have been amiss and almost come over with an air of arrogance. Overall, they will certainly help you and get you on your way!
All in all, they are ok… nothing great or wowing, but at the same time you won’t be disappointed.

My BF has a fish fetish. Ha ha ha. Anyway, we recently bought a whole bunch of fresh hamachi from our friend and I journeyed to the Executive Chef to buy him a small handheld torch. The girls there were very nice and helped me pick out a torch which came out to about $ 40 with the butane. My BF was stoked because men looove their fire and mobile fire is even more exciting.
What really impressed me about the Executive Chef was the wall of cookie cutters! Every shape your cookie cutting heart could possibly desire as well as a cutters sold in sets. I have my heart set on one day building out an amazing kitchen with all the tools my little baking heart could possibly desire. If you’re an avid baker or someone who is foraying into the very spendy realm of cookie and cake decorating you’ll find all the tools necessary to make your sprinkled dreams come true.
Just be wary about prices because your pocketbook will surely be much lighter once you start buying kitchen products from the Executive Chef. I’d say you’ll want to buy your basics at the big box stores and then get your specialty items here. I looked at a rolling pin and found that it was $ 59.95. Uh seriously? Does this thing make cookies and then serve them to me? I’m not living the high life yet but when I do I know where I’m going to start building my schwanky kitchen utensil collection!