BOOK REVIEW

THE PAMPERED CHEF:
THE STORY OF ONE OF AMERICA'S MOST BELOVED COMPANIES

by Doris Christopher

(Currency Books - 2005)

This book review was written from the perspective of one who has been a Pampered Chef customer, a one-time Pampered Chef hostess and as woman who has faced the challenges of starting her own small business.

I knew that this kitchenware company was successful, but I had no idea how how much so until I read this book, The Pampered Chef.  Although the company was initially started in 1980 in a Chicago suburb, I didn't hear of it or attend my first party (in Texas) until sometime in the early 1990s.  By that time, it was along way from it's roots.

It was an easy read--I read the entire book at bedtime in only two nights.  The author has written this book in an easy, friendly style, and if she repeats a scenario or two in different chapters of the book, it doesn't really matter.  She's an entrepreneur, after all, not an author.

I enjoyed the book from the perspective of a small businesswoman because it provides hope - it's always good to see how others succeed in their endeavors and success stories are always inspiring.

I could relate when I read of her experience as a housewife making her way around the intimidating Chicago Merchandise Mart searching for inventory in the beginning, worried about being exposed as a fraud -- as someone who didn't belong there.  Although she didn't quite put it into these words - "fake it til you make it", that's how things transpired.

I enjoyed reading the behind-the-scenes look at the details and logistics of running a small business from one's own home--one that grew and grew far beyond any initial expectations.

She reiterated again and again that organization is key to a successful business.

As an attendee of Pampered Chef home parties, I found that I enjoyed attending for exactly the reasons that she planned.  The parties were fun, there was no high pressure selling and I did learn something about cooking and preparing new recipes.  Those were part of her goals, philosophies and policies and they worked, just as she had hoped they would.

Although I had no aspirations to become a Kitchen Consultant, I did host one party.  That is saying quite a bit as over the years I have resisted the stubborn efforts of many friends, relatives and co-workers to recruit me to host home parties promoting a variety of products.  But it was fun, it was easy and I did get some nice Pampered Chef products for my efforts.

It was interesting to read of the women, and eventually men, who did take to the concept and to read at how successful they became.

It was only towards the end of the book that I felt the old familiar sales spiel of how great it was to be a consultant and how high one could climb in the organization that is so reminiscent of other direct marketing companies and to me, so off-putting.  Other than the very end of the book, which might very well appeal to others, I thought 98% of the book was informative and enjoyable.

Get your own copy of The Pampered Chef by Doris Christopher.

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