CHEF STORES
GADGETS, GIZMOS ... AND HOW TO USE THEM The stand-alone kitchen shop is like a candy store for grownups who cook By Jim Flint for the Mail Tribune
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ho among us doesn’t consider a spiffy new kitchen gadget or a piece of quality cookware as one of life’s simple pleasures? I can say, truly, that my first salad spinner, my Thermapen digital food COURTESY PHOTO thermometer, our enameled castA well stocked kitchen supplies store in Jacksonville, The Pot Rack is owned by Erika iron Dutch oven, and a recently Bishop, a former Food Network executive producer who helped launch the network. acquired heavy-duty, hand-held Two local stores — one in Bishop, an enthusiastic cook herchef’s citrus juicer all changed my Jacksonville and one in Ashland — self, brings some impressive cred to life in the kitchen for the better. typify the stand-alone stores that the job. She produced cooking shows Building an efficient kitchen cater to home chefs. at the Food Network from 1995 to is not something that happens The Pot Rack, 140 W. California 2002. overnight. There are the treasured St., in Jacksonville, owned by Erika “As an executive producer, I was on passed-down items from previous Bishop, opened in Florence in 1992 the original team that launched the generations. You acquire a great and moved to Jacksonville in 2002. network,” she said. She helped create and durable piece here and there The Culinarium, 270 E. Main St., multiple famous chef brands, includand, in the middle, pick up whatin Ashland, owned by David and ing Emeril Lagasse and Bobby Flay. ever you might need in a pinch at Constance Jesser, opened as the What sets independent kitchen the grocery store. Jacksonville Mercantile in 2005 and retailers like The Pot Rack apart from But there comes a time when moved to Ashland in 2016. chains like Williams-Sonoma or Sur you decide to say goodbye to those In addition to kitchen supplies, La Table? aluminum-foil pans or infomercial you’ll find owners dedicated to “We are part of our community,” knives (that never were as sharp helping their customers cook with Bishop said, “and customer service is as promised) and plan a trip to the ease and confidence. They are a good our priority. Our staff has been with kitchen store. source of advice and are delighted to us for up to a decade, so you can shop In the Rogue Valley, you can find share what’s new in the culinary arts. in comfort, knowing you are well excellent kitchen departments in supported.” most department stores and box A lifetime opportunity The Pot Rack has a small footprint, stores. And there are restaurant Bishop is not the founding owner but is well stocked. suppliers which also have well“We have loads of classy items,” stocked retail outlets, like US Foods of The Pot Rack. She purchased the established business when the orig- she said. “We also display our invenChef’Store in Medford. inal owners retired. tory out of the packaging so you can But it’s the stand-alone kitchen “I bought the business during the really see what you’re getting.” store that provides the immersive pandemic and two days after the Meeting customer needs is what experience, the place for not only the latest in kitchenware but good Almeda fire,” she said. “I knew it was it’s all about, but Bishop enjoys suradvice as well. a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.” prising them too. 54
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4/23/2022 12:43:14 PM
