Cook’s Emporium Website Redesign

June 2013

Goal: Modernize, enhance, more complete information, personalized information

Palette: red, cream, black, white (green accents)

(The cream is a lighter cream/tan than currently exists

Logo/Tagline: No changes to Logo; greater prominence of tagline:

“Kitchenware for Creative Cooking”

Size: horizontal orientation (900 px)

Template: same template/skin for all pages

Other Notes: Cannot use key photos used on KART or KE – wants differentiation from them

Primary Pages:( in this order, I think…)

1. Welcome/Home Page

2. Kitchenware for Creative Cooking

3. Events

4. Gift Registry

5. In Our Neighborhood

6. Recipe Box (E-News Archive – this will be more like our standard e-archive layout)

7. Cooking Resources
8. About Us

Demographics & Links: (on every page type stuff)

313 Main Street, Ames, IA 50010

515.233.4272

(note change)

Store Hours:

Monday – Wednesday: 9:30am – 6:00pm
Thursday: 9:30am – 8:00pm

Friday: 9:30 – 6:00pm

Saturday: 9:30 – 5:00pm

Contact Us Email:

Badges/Buttons/Links:

Sign up for our E-News:

Blog: TBD

Facebook:

1. Welcome/Home Page

Four to Five animated photos of store product/in-store photos featuring the tagline “Kitchenware for Creative Cooking”

Examples that CE likes: (particularly enamored with the animated gif of produc)

An example from me: (like the wording overlay; bottom too busy)

2. Kitchenware for Creative Cooking

From CE: I think we should consider doing something else with this category. If we could have tabs on the left side of our website indicating the following categories (cookware, bakeware, etc) that might work better….

MB: Maybe another animated gif featuring the major categories. Then a pull down or sidebar of the specifics and major brands.

New Product Feature

Cookware –

Cast iron cookware

Aluminum non-stick cookware

Stainless steel cookware

Stainless steel with non-stick cookware

Woks

Fondue

Steamers

Roasting pans & racks

Double boilers

Saucepans & sauciers

Cookware accessories

Brands we carry -

Le Creuset, Staub, Calphalon, All Clad, Henckels, Emile Henry, Denby, Polish Pottery

Bakeware

Muffin & cupcake pans

Bundt pans

Cake pans

Springform & cheesecake pans

Pie pans & pie plates

Tart & quiche pans

Cooling racks

Cookie cutters

Cupcake liners

Silicone baking liner

Oven liners

Ceramic bakeware

Cream cheese mint molds

Brands we carry -

USA Bakeware, Chicago Metallic, Nordicware

Linens (Kitchen and Table)

Aprons

Mitts & potholders

Floor mats

Kitchen rugs

Wash clothes/dish clothes

Dish towels/tea towels

Placemats

Napkins

Brands we carry -

TAG, Now Designs, DII, MU, Mountain Weavers, Wellness Mats

Kitchen Tools &Gadgets

Mixing bowls

Timers

Colanders & strainers

Measuring tools

Jar openers & can openers

Pasta & pizza tools

Salad tools

Egg tools

Cheese tools

Meat & seafood tools

Fruit & vegetable tools

Cooking tools

Kitchen tongs

Spatulas

Cooking spoons

Kids items

Funnels

Ice cream tools

Taco tools

Spice tools

Cutlery

Knife Sets

Wusthof steak knife sets

Wusthof knife sets

Paring & utility knives

Chef knives

Santoku knives

Carving knives

Boning knives

Bread knives

Knife guards

Knife sharpeners & steels

Epicurean cutting boards

Kapoosh knife blocks

Brands we carry –

Wusthof, Victorinox, Kuhn Rikon

Kitchen Storage & Organization

Bottle stoppers

Lunch storage

Food storage

Reusable market bags

Spice racks & spice bottles

Canisters

Canning tools

Compost bucket

Towel bars

Cookbooks

Recipe books & boxes

Recipe cards

Utensil crocks

Kitchen clips & hooks

Drinkware

Glassware

Stemware

Bar & cocktail accessories

Ice cube trays

Wine aerators

Pitchers & Carafes

Brands we carry -

Fortessa Luigi Bormioli, Duralex, TAG, Denby, Copper Mugs, Rabbit, Corksicle, VacuVin, Houdini

Coffee & Tea

Coffee Makers

French Presses

Espresso Makers

Frothers

Coffee Grinders

Tea Kettles

Tea Pots

Tea Infusers

Tea Balls

Mugs and Cups

Thermoses & Travel mugs

Coffee Accessories

Brands we carry –

Capresso, KitchenAid, Krups

Tableware & Dinnerware

Plates

Bowls

Serveware

Flatware & Serving utensils

Salad bowls & salad servers

Salt & Pepper Mills

Brands we carry -

Denby, Fiesta, Polish Pottery, Now Designs, Le Creuset, Libbey, Eucalyptus Stoneware, William Bounds, Chef’n, Fortessa, Gingko, William Bounds, Trudeau, Polish Pottery

Gifts – TAG, Reisenthel, Caldrea lotions and cleaning products

Specialty Electrics

Pizzelle maker

Belgian waffle maker

Classic waffle maker

Heart shaped waffle maker

Indoor electric grill

Citrus juicer

Egg cooker

Bread machine

Rice cooker

Pressure/rice/slow cooker

Griddle/Panini maker

Convection Bake Countertop Oven

Brands we carry –

Vitamix, Cuisinart, Zojirushi, Swissmar, Chef’s Choice

Specialty Food Items

Vanilla extract

Vanilla bean paste

Sanding sugars

Jams

Jellies

Marmalade

Marinades

Cheese spread mixes

Dip mixes

Mustards

Simmering sauces

Salsas

Lemon curd

Beverage syrups

Brands we carry -

Stonewall Kitchen, Tea Forte, Neilsen-Massey, King’s Cupboard, Cherchies, The Beer Bread Company, The Baker’s Kitchen, O’Hara’s/San Juan Mountain, Torani

3. Events

Cooking Demonstrations

Mid-September through May, Cooks’ Emporium hosts cooking demonstrations in the kitchen. Our classes are taught by our local food enthusiasts and chefs. The $5.00 fee for the class gets you not just the demonstration but also the recipe, a tasting of what has been prepared, and a 10% Discount coupon that’s good on any regularly priced merchandise in the store for the following week.

Our classes draw anywhere from 20-30+ people – we recommend early arrival for best seating. No preregistration is necessary. It’s a great place to meet your friends and make new ones!

Instructors (photos available or to come)

  • Joe Geha – Joe has been teaching cooking demonstrations at Cooks’ Emporium for close to twenty years. An emeritus professor of writing at ISU (his latest book is LebaneseBlonde, a novel), he is a home cook whose interest began with the Middle Eastern dishes of his heritage, and has extended to cuisines from around the Mediterranean and Africa, all the way to the East Coast blintzes, kugels, and matzo brei of his wife, Fern Kupfer’s heritage.
  • Margaret Welder – Margaret’s mother and grandmother were very good farm cooks. Her first experience teaching cooking was through 4-H where she participated with another girl at the Iowa State Fair doing a demonstration on sugar cookies. Little did she know where that would lead her! She began a wedding/birthday cake business when she was at home raising her children. Margaret has judged food exhibits at the Iowa State Fair and has done cooking demonstrations throughout mid-Iowa. Margaret is in her 70’s and thanks both her mother and grandmother for giving her the love of cooking good “from-scratch” farm food, as well as the desire to share it with others.
  • Becky Ringsby – Becky is passionate about the integrity of homemade food, prepared healthfully, using real ingredients. She loves inspiring others to be fearless and a little daring in their cooking and to have fun with food. Becky is able to share her love of cooking with others through her business, Savor – a specialty chef service that specializes in private hands-on group cooking classes. Becky is a licensed culinary instructor.
  • Karen Davis - Karen Davis has more than 20 years of food marketing and education experience working for companies such as Maytag Appliances, the National Pork Producers Council, and the Iowa Egg Council. Karen received her Bachelor of Science degree from Iowa State University where she double majored in Home Economics Education and Educational Services in Family and Consumer Sciences. She writes a regular column for Our Iowa magazine, travels as a freelance demonstrator for Taste of Home Cooking Schools, and operates her own freelance food marketing company, Karen Davis Communications.
  • Rama Sridhar -Rama Sridhar is an exponent of vegetarian cooking and has understanding of cuisines from all parts of the world.She has been involved with cooking for more than 30 years and has held cooking classes for the last 20 years.Her expertise and philosophy lie in cooking healthy food without sacrificing taste.Rama is originally from India and brings authentic Indian food that has been adapted to the American palate. With her love for healthy and yummy food, she develops recipes with an eclectic flair.

Her passion for food and health led her to go back to school to get a degree in Dietetics after which she worked as a dietitian in a public health facility for 15 years. Rama has lived in Ames for the last 25 years.

4. Gift Registry(instead of wedding)

Mood – upscale, “classy practical”

Registry Perks

  • Receive a $25 Gift Certificate when you register your preferences at Cooks’ Emporium
  • A Completion Discount of 10% off your remaining registry items up to 30 Days after your wedding date
  • On-Line purchasing available for your friends and family
  • Manage your registry on-line
  • FREE Gift Wrap
  • FREE Delivery within the Ames city limits
  • Gift Certificates
  • Shipping available via UPS for your friends and family
  • Bridal Showers are available at Cooks’ Emporium – contact us for more details

How to Register

Registering your gift preferences with Cooks’ Emporium not only insures that you will receive the things you really want, but provides your friends and family with the help they need when they choose a gift for you.

You may stop in our store to register at any time. In order to give you the best of personal service we suggest you call ahead before 5:00pm to make an appointment - registering during the week is preferred. You may also contact us to set up an appointment for Sunday registration.

Registry Tips

  • Stick to two or three stores and make sure to include your local specialty store, Cooks’ Emporium
  • Getting started early is highly recommended
  • Look for stores that offer a completion program
  • Don’t be afraid to register for whatever you want
  • Think ahead
  • Be sure your gift registry is easily accessible
  • Add gift certificates if you’re not sure what to include on your registry

Currently Registered

(names of bridal couples and dates)

5. In our Neighborhood–

Ames Main Street Cultural District

Ames Convention & Visitor’s Bureau

Ames Chamber of Commerce

Downtown Farmer’s Market

6. Recipe Box

E-newsletter archive

7. Cooking Resources

Recipe conversion equivalents

8. About Us

Our Story– To be written yet

Our Staff – pictures to come

  • Margaret “Marg” Junkhan, owner – Marg got her start teaching French cooking classes through the Ames Continuing Education program. “Cooking was just starting to become the ‘in-thing to do. Julia Child had just come on to the horizon and awakened interest in French cooking,” she says. “After several years of teaching I felt there was enough enough demand for a kitchenware store. So she made the decision to start her own business in 1979, establishing Cooks’ Emporium.
  • Vicky Flaws, manager – Vicky joined Marg in 1987 and has helped to grow Cooks’ Emporium to the business it has become today. Vicky enjoys spending time with her family, grandchildren and friends – and loves to cook for them. They love her cooking too! Especially the “to-go” meals!
  • Holly Boman – Holly worked at Cooks’ Emporium during her college years and then left to pursue her career in advertising. When she made the decision to stay at home with her four children she found she still needed a short break away from home! She decided to return to Cooks’ Emporium on a part time basis 11 years ago and is now working full time.
  • Elaine Oftedal – Elaine has been with Cooks’ Emporium for over 15 years and has become very knowledgeable in gluten free and diabetic cooking. She loves to garden, go for walks, spend time with her grandchildren and enjoys healthy cooking!

Part Time Employees

  • Maggie White – has been with Cooks’ Emporium for two years. Originally from Harcourt, IA and a mother of four, Maggie enjoys preparing recipes that are short, quick and easy to make. She’s constantly “on the go” with softball, baseball, track, basketball and more! Her favorite foods are PopTarts and Sushi.
  • Kristin Harrell – Senior at Iowa State University in Family and Consumer Science. Kristin is originally from Fort Dodge, Iowa and became interested in cooking as early as age 2. It’s a “family event” for the Harrell’s – they love to cook. Her favorite recipe to make is Crawfish Etouffee.
  • Ania Chamberlin – junior at Ames High School, Ania enjoys biking, gardening, and eating vegetarian foods. Her favorite family recipe is salmon and cumin noodles.
  • Spencer Oh – a recent Ames High School graduate and a great hockey player, Spencer will be attending Northwestern in the fall. He loves to grill out!
  • Stephanie Meyer-Oldenberg
  • Kate Gleason

Media – Read more about us: Link to our articles in Kitchenware News, Main Street Cultural District, etc… if possible.

Contact – include all information on contacting us….

Directions – Have a connection to Google Maps