Back in January 2012, In Good Taste cooking school closed their Portland store which went on to become the Parish. Owner Barbara Dawson had hoped to keep her Lake Oswego store going, but that hasn’t worked out.
It is with a sad heart that I am writing to tell you that In Good Taste will cease operations effective immediately.
It is time to close the kitchen but your friendship will remain with us.
Thank you for your business over the last 13 years.
Sincerely,
Barbara and the In Good Taste team
Best of luck to her
grapedog says
So sad to hear of this news. I remember being part of some of the best cooking classes offered in Portland, so different than the silly social events being sold now by Sur La Table and others. After one class, Cathy Whims and Deb Accuardi stayed around after the class was formally over to experiment with new/interesting pizza toppings. Fun times….
Susan Tipton says
Sad to hear this yes but they took money from my son and me for a class supposed to be November 7th in Lake Oswego. My son bought a $50 gift certificate for me as a gift and I added $35 to it to enroll in a class costing $85. I got a call late on the evening of Tuesday the 5th telling me the school had closed. When I asked about reimbursement for the cost of the class the woman calling said she had no information, to call ‘tomorrow and leave a message.” I did call, and again- to date no return call and we are out $85 for this class. What about ethical business practices? When they took my son’s money in late October and my credit card on the 28th of October I can’t believe they had no idea that they were taking money for a class they had no intention of holding.
Kristin Suter says
Hi, Susan, I just wanted to let you know that I had the same unfortunate experience; ignore the maniacal rants posted below by people who are villianizing us for expecting a refund or, at the very least, a return phone call. That’s nonsense.
Anyway, today I called my credit card company and explained the situation. Amex promptly refunded the money and will investigate this themselves. Since they’re much more likely to get their money back from In Good Taste than we as individuals, I wanted to let you know.
To all of the great defenders of In Good Taste, I find it ironic that big business corporate America stepped up and did the right thing so that Barbara did not have to.
Kristin Suter says
I signed up for a class, paid $200, then got an email saying they’re closed. I tried calling about a refund, no response. Are they just planning on keeping everyone’s money even though no service was provided? That really stinks and is not really any different than stealing .
Food Dude says
Knowing what I do about Barbera from In Good Taste, I expect they will make good on refunds. Hopefully they will read this post and reach out to us.
mczlaw says
You know, the kind of folks who would get up on a public food forum and whine about “ethical business practices” and “stealing” literally days after a long-time local business run by truly nice people is forced to close personify human nature at its very worst. What is wrong with you people? Do you understand compassion? Do you think by bitching here you are going to shame this now defunct operation into paying you? Make sure you get those one-star ratings up on Yelp too.
You can bet that the closing of In Good Taste was the last gasp of a business that had been suffering serious financial distress. You don’t close up a prosperous business and, for many operators, you keep the train running just as long as there is any glimmer of hope. No surprise that the owners may not be immediately in the position to refund class money. Knowing Barbara, though, I’m betting she will do what she can when she can to take care of those who paid for classes that were not held. I would make sure, however, that Susan Tipton and Kristin Suter were at the bottom of the list. Or, if it’s a corporate obligation, let them grovel for crumbs.
Barbara, good luck going forward. You have been solid member of the local food community for many years and IGT has been a wonderful community resource. I’m sorry it is gone and you have to deal with these cave dwellers.
–mcz
JandJ says
Thanks so much for posting this and I couldn’t agree more. Closing down IGT was one of the most difficult decisions Barbara has had to make and it’s hard to imagine how painful a process that would have been. There’s no doubt that she will work to find a way to compensate people, but this form of public whining should most certainly place these two at the bottom of the list IMHO. Just a little compassion and perhaps some patience would go a long way.
Kristin Suter says
So, to mczlaw — I think to accuse someone who is a victim of theft as ‘personifying human nature at its worst’ is a little bit of an overstatement and completely nullifies anything else you have to say. Nazis are human nature at its worst. My Lai was human nature at its worst. Get some perspective before you come on leveling charges about those who have been ripped off by this ‘wonderful person’.
JandJ says
No… YOU get some perspective. Theft? Ripped off? Really? And you have the gall to accuse Mczlaw of overstatement. Shutting down a small business and making debtors whole takes time, if you have any experience at all in this sort of thing. I know Barbara is making an effort to do so, but your complete lack of sympathy and name calling in what is a painful situation for any business owner would do little to incentivize her (or anyone) to go out of their way to help you. Particularly so when you choose to use a public forum to air your grievances.
Puhleeze… give it a rest.
Kristin Suter says
Yes. When I provide money for a service that is never rendered, that is the definition of ripped off, and the person who did not provide that service is guilty of theft. I do accuse Mczlaw of an overstatement because I absolutely do not represent human nature at its worst, and the fact that you’re defending such a ridiculous argument leads me to the conclusion that you, perhaps, are one and the same; perhaps involved with the school in some way. You’re very vehement about a subject that has nothing to do with you and I notice neither you nor Mczlaw use your real names. I have tried to contact the school several times with no response, and I am airing it this way so that people are aware of my experience, which is the entire purpose of a forum. Mczlaw is the one who began with the name calling, and you seconded it; to resort to name calling and wishing someone ill IS petty and sad. I don’t believe I should have to ‘incentivize’ the business owner to do what she should rightfully do anyway, and it’s confusing to me that you feel that I should play some game to get back what is mine. Your opinion is painfully skewed, and your arguments don’t make any sense.
JandJ says
No, I am not in any way associated with the school, though I do know the owner and have for years. While you’re whining about being “ripped off” have you considered the pain that the owner of a small business goes thru in having to decide to shut it down and then find the money to pay off debts? I know it’s hard for you to consider anyone’s issues other than your own here, but there’s a lot involved in shutting down any business and the financial situation that tends to drive the failure of the business can also make it challenging to immediately settle debts. Your situation is far from unique and many debtors in similar situations see nothing when a small business fails and leaves little or no assets. Showing some patience and working with the owner can go a long way towards getting such an issue settled. Your frankly obnoxious approach would almost always land you at the bottom of anyone’s priority list and it isn’t at all surprising that your calls haven’t been returned. This is a case where being a squeaky wheel doesn’t help.
I don’t expect you to agree or see things differently, so I’m done wasting time having a dialog with you on this. But with your attitude, I can certainly see why you’re not getting anywhere.
Aubrey Hoffman says
No one here is suggesting that it wasn’t difficult to close a business. But why should Barbara be more entitled to my money than I am?
As soon as I saw the business closed, I called and left a message with my return phone number asking about the balance of my gift certificate. I have called 2 more times. As of 12/11/13, no return calls have been received.
It is unconscionable to continue to take money for classes and gift certificates that they had no intention of fulfilling.
I am not hiding behind a pseudonym like you have.
Spinning Cook says
Love Barbara, and all she has given to the community through this school. Very sad to see it close. With regard to ethics I’m sure we can count on her; let’s not raise accusations until phone calls have been returned. Best of luck in your next chapter, Barbara.
Ryan
bette says
I have treasured memories, working with Barbara in the early days in the Pearl. We hosted fabulous rising star and old school famous chefs. She shared generously her contacts and her knowledge. She took us on a marvelous trip to Napa, to Coppia, and French Laundry and to her home there. She is a generous heart, and good person, who has coped with a severe form of arthritis for years. I only wish her the best, always.
Kristin Suter says
PS — I have called and left additional messages with no return call. Thanks for the professionalism!
Sheila Knapp says
Same here…cancelled a class and never reimbursed!!!!
Kyra says
I also have 2 $100.00 gift certificates that I received from my mother as a gift with no expiration date. I received no phone call or email regarding Barbara’s closure. You would think after 13 years of business she would at least give us an opportunity or time slot to come in and use our gift certificates?
RHC says
Has anyone received a refund for their gift certificates yet? Or any resolution? I have one from a while ago and went on to their website to find a class but instead found the store closed. Very sad and such a bummer, but now I have a $180 gift certificate that I never was able to use. It looks like we might just be out the money at this point.