I bought a set of Calphalon cookware a few weeks ago, and pbbth just got a set of Calphalon. I looked at Emerilware, and it was less expensive than the Calphalon set I ended up with. I understand Emerilware is made by All-Clad, which isn’t a bad thing. But I just couldn’t get past the ‘signature’. I’ve never watched an Emeril Lagasse cooking show. I’ve seen bits of him on TV though, and that ‘BAM!’ is annoying. Also ‘Kick it up a notch!’ So here’s this box with his puss plastered all over it, and then there’s his signature on everything. It makes me afraid that he’ll come try to steal it and I’ll say, ‘Can you prove it belongs to you? Does it have your name on it?’ and he’ll say, ‘YES! Right there!’.
So I was checking things out at Bed Bath & Beyond the other day, and somehow the subject of Emerilware came up between me, my coworker, and the (very helpful) BB&B guy. I said I wouldn’t want to buy any Emerilware because I don’t his puss looking out at me from the box. The sales guy said that a lot of people say that. It seems that this ‘signature’ cookware is a turnoff. Of course the idea of ‘signature’ things are to make them more desirable.
So what say you? All other things being equal, would you opt for ‘signature’ cookware? Or would you go with a well-known brand that doesn’t feel the need to use some celebrity’s name?
I don’t have any signature cookware. Those sorts of things generally turn me off. However, I genuinely like Emeril. He reminds me of your nice grandpa or uncle who always tells the same stupid joke over and over again, but otherwise means well. He really does seem to me to be a down-to-earth guy who is a little corny but really just likes to cook and enjoy himself. He doesn’t annoy me a tenth as much as other Food Network celebrities like Rachel Ray and Bobby Flay. That said, I have some Rachel Ray kitchen towels that were given to me as a gift that double as oven mitts (they have a pocket for your hands in each corner that is lined with extra material) that I find surprisingly useful. What can I say? Of all the FN celebrities, I find her the most annoying and obnoxious, but if the branded item is useful and works in my kitchen, I’m not going to knock it. In other words, put it this way: I’m not going to be any more apt to buy a product because it has a celebrity endorsement. In fact, that will make me more suspicious of it. But, if it does the job and is in my price range, I’m not going to avoid it, either.
I never have watched Emeril and doubt I could pick him out of a line-up, but I do have a set of his pots and pans. I picked them because they seemed well built and were one of the few I couldn’t misshape in the store. We’ve had them for many years and have held up well.
Who cares if there is a name on your pan? It’s not like a t-shirt or anything where you’re walking around in public as a free billboard for Nike. It’s just a pot. If the quality and price are right, get it.
I was looking at the All CLad. The Emeril stuff was very similar and cost about 50% less than the All CLad I bought a set and I have been very happy with it. When I bought my set, there was an offer of a free Emeril kitchen knife (made by Wustoff) and I have been happy with that also
I don’t buy anything with some celebrity’s face on it. You end up paying more in order to put money in his/her pocket. As far as Emeril goes: I don’t like his cooking or his personality, so wouldn’t buy it just because of that.
I’ve never watched the semi-homemade woman, so I can’t comment on her. I also don’t get the attraction to Ray Ray, but I believe I’m in the minority here. Now Nigella Lawson is another story…
Well, that’s the thing. The Emerilware line appears to be cheaper than a comparable All-Clad product. Now, I haven’t had a chance to investigate the differences between these two lines, but the Emerilware I’ve seen looks and feels like good cookware, and the reviews here are all positive so far.
Why would you assume any such thing? It’s just another way for the celebrity to generate income. Granted, they don’t want to endorse something that will kill people or fall apart, but if it’s even marginally functional, it’s all fair game. Look at that piece of crap that Chuck Norris is hawking of late.
