Pampered Chef News

Pampered Chef Partners with the American Cancer Society to Support Front-Line Workers

Press Release | 4/29/2020

“This nationwide initiative allows us to safely house and support front-line health care workers who are making personal sacrifices to keep our nation healthy,” said Maggie LaFleur, Corporate Relations at the American Cancer Society, in a news release. “We are thrilled to partner yet again with Pampered Chef on this critical initiative and look forward to seeing the tremendous impact we will have on flattening the curve and supporting our front-line health care workers.”

Also, effective through May 2020, the brand Pampered Chef will give $1 for every purchase of the Mix ‘N Chop and up to 30 percent of total sales from fundraiser shows to offset the operating costs of the 34 Hope Lodge locations across the country.

“Pampered Chef has been a trusted advocate for supporting families, and now more than ever, we are dedicated to lifting each other up so that no one faces these unprecedented challenges alone,” said Andrew Treanor, CEO of Pampered Chef, in a press release. “We are thankful that our longtime partnership with the American Cancer Society will allow us to keep Hope Lodge locations fully operational to comfortably house those fighting to protect us from COVID-19.”

The Pampered Chef Names Tracy Britt Cool CEO

Press Release | 10/28/2014

Cool, 30, has been with Berkshire Hathaway for five years, serving as Financial Assistant to the Chairman. In this role, her responsibilities included conducting investment research, analyzing acquisition opportunities, and advising Berkshire Hathaway subsidiaries in various industries. Cool will continue to serve as chairman of Berkshire Hathaway companies Benjamin Moore, Larson-Juhl, and Oriental Trading Company, and will remain on the board of the H.J. Heinz Company.

“I am honored and delighted to lead The Pampered Chef,” said Cool. “I’m passionate about this great company and its ability to improve the lives of our consultants and customers with our innovative products and empowering business opportunities. I look forward to working with the team to ensure The Pampered Chef is positioned to continue enriching the lives of all those who are a part of this wonderful organization for decades to come.”

Over the past year, Cool served as an advisor to The Pampered Chef’s Founder and Chairman Doris Christopher, who has led the company as interim CEO since December 2013. Both Cool and Christopher will continue to work closely together, reporting directly to Berkshire Hathaway Chairman and CEO, Warren Buffett.

“I couldn’t think of a better leadership duo at the helm of The Pampered Chef,” said Buffett. “With Tracy’s experience helping Berkshire companies reach their full potential and Doris’ passion for both The Pampered Chef’s consultants and products, I see great things in the company’s future.”

Christopher welcomed and praised the appointment, stating, “I’m thrilled that Tracy is joining our company. I’ve come to respect her leadership immensely, and I look forward to partnering with her to enhance The Pampered Chef’s offerings for our 12 million annual customers and 60,000 independent consultants.”

Pampered Chef Recalls Ice Cream Dippers

Press Release | 12/30/2011

Name of Product: Ice cream dippers

Units: About 20,000

Distributor: The Pampered Chef, of Addison, Ill.

Manufacturer: The Zeroll Company, of Fort Pierce, Fla.

Hazard: When the liquid-filled ice cream scoop is exposed to warm water, the cap and seal at the end of the scoop handle can fly off with substantial force, posing an impact injury hazard to nearby consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: The Pampered Chef has received 16 reports including damage to kitchen items and six reports of personal injuries including lacerations, bruises and redness caused by caps coming off the base of the handle.

Description: The dippers are metallic gray aluminum with a plastic dome-shaped cap on the base of the handle. "Pampered Chef" is imprinted in the cap. The ice cream dippers measure around seven inches in length. A non-toxic liquid is sealed inside the handle of the product which conducts the heat of your hand to more easily scoop hard ice cream.

Sold by: Pampered Chef consultants and online from July 2010 through September 2010 for about $15.

Manufactured in: USA

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled ice cream dippers and contact The Pampered Chef for instructions on obtaining a replacement or refund. Consumers can also contact their Pampered Chef consultant for replacement and refund information.

Direct Selling Execs Gather For Y We Care

Press Release | 6/6/2011

The event is sponsored by the Direct Selling Education Foundation (DSEF), whose community service programs continue the direct selling industry's rich tradition of giving back to the communities in which they do business. "Y We Care, a partnership between the YWCA of Greater Miami-Dade and the Direct Selling Education Foundation, is an event that demonstrates the deep commitment to corporate responsibility shared by the entire direct selling industry," said Charlie Orr, DSEF's Executive Director, "Leaders from our industry will work with the kids on a variety of creative projects. We'll be painting, gardening, building bookshelves and helping the kids to document the day through photography and interviews."

"To anticipate nearly a hundred guests exchanging ideas with our teens and tweens is exciting," said Eileen Maloney-Simon, CEO, YWCA of Greater Miami-Dade. "The leadership example and fellowship being shown to inner-city youth is outstanding and we are thankful to the Direct Selling Education Foundation for taking the time out of their conference schedule to do this community project."

Pampered Chef Donates 500K In Products To Alabama

Press Release | 5/27/2011

Donation to Benefit Alabama's Rebuilding Efforts

The Pampered Chef is donating nearly $500,000 worth of products, specifically more than 11,000 aprons and 37,000 kitchen gloves, to Feeding America, the nation's leading hunger-relief organization. Feeding America will distribute the aprons and gloves to the Food Bank of North Alabama in Huntsville to be used in local area clean-up efforts.

"The donation from The Pampered Chef will greatly benefit those working to rebuild the Alabama communities affected by the damaging storms," said Vicki Escarra, president and chief executive officer of Feeding America. "For 20 years, our partnership with The Pampered Chef has helped to better communities across the nation."

Alabama Resident & The Pampered Chef Get Involved

The Pampered Chef isn't the only one donating kitchen products to aid disaster victims. After winning a $3,500 kitchen makeover in a recent Facebook contest, Alabama resident, Paige Wright, asked The Pampered Chef to donate her prize to families in her community affected by the deadly storms. The Pampered Chef was inspired to match her generous donation, providing an additional $3,500 worth of can openers to the Food Bank of North Alabama, as residents there are specifically in need of can openers for ready-to-eat foods.

"Even though I was thrilled to win a kitchen makeover prize from The Pampered Chef, I know there are people in my community right now who need these kitchen tools more than I do," said Wright. "I want to help other families and schools in my neighborhood by giving them products that they'll need as they start to rebuild."

The Pampered Chef's donation is part of the company's ongoing charitable and philanthropic contributions through their Round-Up from the Heart® giving campaign and partnership with Feeding America, which has raised $18.3M to date for hunger relief.

Pampered Chef Helping To Fight Obesity

Press Release | 5/5/2011

"We can't yet envision the research programs of the next generation of scientists. They'll learn to ask the kinds of questions and think in ways that we haven't been trained to do. This program really puts us on the cutting edge of what graduate education should look like," said Fiese, the director of the U of I's Family Resiliency Center and holder of the Pampered Chef Ltd. Endowed Chair in Family Resiliency.

Fiese said that her generation of scientists has had to bootstrap themselves to become good transdisciplinary collaborators. Because I-TOPP will have a strong evaluation component, the scientists will now learn whether this kind of collaboration is something that students can be taught to do.

"At the end of the students' graduate program, we will be assessing these students, comparing them to students who have received just the MPH and Ph.D. degrees to see how successful we've been in helping our I-TOPP scholars to achieve this broader, more transdisciplinary view," Donovan said.

The scientists also want to learn how this problem-focused scholarship has affected the students' critical thinking, investigation, and writing skills, and where these students will go in terms of their profession and career.

"We anticipate that they're going to have a very different career trajectory than students who go through traditional MPH or Ph.D. programs," Fiese said.

Donovan believes that I-TOPP students will be uniquely positioned to take leadership roles in academic, medical, non-profit, and governmental institutions.

The program will be administered in the U of I's Division of Nutritional Sciences (DNS), a pioneer in modeling transdisciplinary education at the university.

Director of DNS and I-TOPP co-director Rodney Johnson is excited to be a part of this new program. "For more than 40 years, DNS has facilitated interdisciplinary graduate nutrition-related education and research. This new joint degree program, which aspires to address one of society's great challenges, is consistent with DNS goals. It is what we are about," he said.

The program will have an ongoing seminar series, will develop two new courses, will promote broad cross-disciplinary interactions between U of I faculty and international leaders through its visiting faculty and lecture series, and will host an annual conference that Donovan believes will attract the participation of influential scholars.

And I-TOPP students will receive a generous stipend, tuition assistance, research and travel funds, Donovan said.

The following faculty are I-TOPP co-investigators: Kelly Bost, associate professor of human and community development; Diana Grigsby-Toussaint, assistant professor of kinesiology and community health; Craig Gundersen, associate professor of agricultural and consumer economics and head of the National Soybean Research Laboratory; Kristen Harrison, associate professor of communication; Charles Hillman, associate professor of kinesiology and community health; Juhee Kim, assistant professor of kinesiology and community health; Soo-Yeun Lee, associate professor of food science and human nutrition; Janet Liechty, associate professor of social work; Brent McBride, professor of human and community development and director of the university's Child Development Laboratory; Margarita Teran-Garcia, MD, and assistant professor of food science and human nutrition; and Angela Wiley, associate professor of human and community development.

The grant was awarded through the USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

Pampered Chef Heads Breast Cancer Campaign

Npros.com | 5/3/2010

In honor of Mother's Day, The Pampered Chef will be inviting people to host a cooking show in honor of supporting the Help Whip Cancer Fundraiser. Participants can taste recipes and learn cooking tips in addition to raising money for breast cancer awareness and early detection.

To learn how to get involved with hosting a Help Whip Cancer Fundraiser Cooking Show, contact Noelle Bartolis at 279-5916 or e-mail nbartolis@hotmail.com. The Pampered Chef has raised more than $7.9 million has been raised for the American Cancer Society since Help Whip Cancer began in 2000.

Pampered Chef Mentioned in the Salisbury Post

Salisbury Post | 4/12/2010

The Pampered Chef is joining the American Cancer Society to raise funds for education and early breast cancer detection programs through its Help Whip Cancer campaign.

This May, in honor of Mother's Day, The Pampered Chef invites people to Help Whip Cancer cooking shows. Up to 25 percent of show sales will be contributed to the American Cancer Society.

People can also purchase pink limited-edition kitchen tools in May, and $1 from every pink item purchased will go to the American Cancer Society.

Since Help Whip Cancer began in 2000, The Pampered Chef has raised more than $7.9 million for the American Cancer Society. Last year, the campaign raised more than $875,000…”

Pampered Chef Assists American Cancer Society Fundraiser

Npros.com | 4/12/2010

The program will run through the month of May, in honor of Mother's Day, and up to 25% of all Pampered Chef show sales will go to the ACS. In addition, Pampered Chef is offering special, limited edition, pink kitchen tools with $1 from each item also going to the American Cancer Society.

Help Whip Cancer was started by the American Cancer Society in 2000. Since that time, the Pampered Chef has helped to raise over $7.9 million for the ACS, with $875,000 from last year alone.

Pampered Chef Sponsors Consumer Protection Week

Npros.com | 3/9/2010

This year’s theme -- Dollars & Sense: Rated “A” for All Ages -- highlights the importance of using good consumer sense at every stage of life – from grade school to retirement. In recognition of NCPW 2010, The Pampered Chef is promoting free resources to help people protect their privacy, manage money and debt, avoid identity theft, understand credit and mortgages, and steer clear of frauds and scams.

“The Pampered Chef is committed to being a resource for families looking for additional income and affordable mealtime solutions during these difficult times," said Marla Gottschalk, Chief Executive Officer for The Pampered Chef. "We are proud to be a part of this year's National Consumer Protection Week campaign, and we encourage families to take advantage of the information made available through the NCPW website to learn about becoming more informed and empowered consumers.”

This year, NCPW organizations are reaching out to kids, focusing on websites, videos and games designed for a younger audience. Kids under 12 spend billions of dollars on goods and services each year, so it makes sense to provide them with these valuable tools. It’s essential that kids understand key consumer and business concepts, like credit and identity theft, banking and fraud, and marketing and advertising. The resources highlighted on the NCPW website introduce these concepts and teach kids practical lessons about the role of business and government in their everyday lives.

In addition, for the first time, the NCPW website features a blog, where visitors can discover new consumer resources in an informal and interactive environment. Here, visitors have the opportunity to connect directly with representatives of public and private consumer protection organizations.

National organizers of this year’s NCPW include AARP, the Comptroller of the Currency, the Consumer Federation of America, the Council of Better Business Bureaus, the Federal Citizen’s Information Center, the Federal Communications Commission, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Reserve Board, the Federal Trade Commission, the National Association of Attorneys General, the National Association of Consumer Agency Administrators, the National Consumers League, the U.S.

Department of the Treasury, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the U.S. Postal Service.

The Pampered Chef Expands to New Office

Get Bracknell | 10/17/2009

The Pampered Chef has moved from a smaller office in Ascot to offices in The Courtyard off Eastern Road and celebrated by holding an opening ceremony on Tuesday, October 6.

Pampered Chef Gives to MANNA Food Bank

Cherokee Sentinel | 10/30/2008

Pampered Chef Raises over 6 Million for Charity

Sun Publications Chicago | 5/27/2008

Local businesses have long supported cancer walks by sponsoring teams and offering up goodies, from prize packages and gift baskets to fortifying walkers with food and refreshments.

Lisa Michaels, a teacher at Oswego East High School, is joining forces this year with her colleague and walking partner Hilary Simanek. The pair have put a new spin on cancer awareness efforts by forming the Pink Pride team for the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer, which begins May 31 in Chicago.

Pampered Chef in the Tampa Bay News

Tampabay.com | 4/1/2008

All of the proceeds will go to the mission, said Hair Carvers team leader Debbie Hoffmann.

Also, the Pampered Chef started a fundraiser through its Web site of kitchen and entertaining products. It runs through April 13. When shoppers follow the proper links and make a purchase, 15 percent of the total will go to the mission.

Pampered Chef in the Indianapolis Star

Indianapolis Star | 3/26/2008

Buggs Temple and its executive chef, Brad Gates. I love his food. He opened my eyes to the "wonderful world of risotto" -- my personal favorite food, which often drives which meal I will eat at any restaurant. If it's served with risotto, I order it.

Pampered Chef CEO in Smart Business Network

Smart Business Network | 1/15/2008

Just a week earlier, the $36 billion dollar man had never heard of Christopher. Now he wanted to know if the founder and CEO of The Pampered Chef would sell her company -- a direct seller of 225 high-end kitchen tools including everything from vegetable peelers and cutting boards to skillets and fondue sets -- to Berkshire.

But it wasn't the cooking accessories that drew the interest of Buffet, whose culinary tastes run toward a simple steak and Dairy Queen ice cream. Instead, it was the fact that The Pampered Chef had grown by more than 230 percent since 1995, had no debt, offered juicy profit margins (estimated as high as 25 percent pre-tax) and boasted a following of 70,000 dedicated sales reps, or "kitchen consultants" as the company calls them.

Pampered Chef Rep Now a Chef

Fort Wayne Journal Gazette | 7/27/2006

Pampered Chef is a direct seller of kitchen tools at in-home cooking shows.

"Before Pampered Chef, I didn’t care about cooking. Pampered Chef inspired me to cook,” the southwest Allen County mother says. “I love what I do. I have all the right tools and it’s fun.”

The Pampered Chef Sponsors Help Whip Cancer Benefit

The Kentucky Post | 5/15/2006

Pampered Chef creator opens new UI building

Daily Illini | 5/5/2006

Lights with motion sensors, cushioned classroom chairs on wheels and wireless Internet capability are just a few of the features that make Doris Kelley Christopher Hall, which opened unofficially to members of campus and the community on April 17, a unique addition to the University.

The building, located at 904 W. Nevada St., is still awaiting its official dedication ceremony set for Sept. 14, but the fully functioning facilities inside are starting to take shape.

Doris Kelley Christopher, a 1967 graduate of the University, created the Pampered Chef, Ltd., a company that allows people to sell kitchen utensils to their friends, out of her basement 25 years ago. Dr. Laurie Kramer, professor in the Department of Human and Community Development, said that Christopher first donated money to the University in 2000 to begin the Pampered Chef Family Resiliency Program. This program provides funding for faculty endowments, graduate fellowships and a lecture series providing education to the public about strengthening families.

Pampered Chef urges early cancer detection

Marietta Times | 4/27/2006

The Pampered Chef is collaborating during May with the American Cancer Society to help increase awareness of the importance of early detection of breast cancer and to raise funds for the fight against breast cancer.

This marks the seventh year of the Help Whip Cancer campaign.

Pampered Chef customers have the opportunity to contribute to the American Cancer Society by hosting May cooking shows or purchasing specially designed products during the month of May.

The American Cancer Society estimates that about 41,000 women will die of breast cancer in 2006. The good news, though, is that death rates from breast cancer declined by an average of 2.3 percent per year from 1990 to 2002. These decreases are due to early detection and better treatment options.

Marla Gottschalk Named CEO of Pampered Chef

Business Wire | 4/22/2006

Gottschalk, aged 45, joined The Pampered Chef as President and COO in December of 2003. Founder and Chairman Doris K. Christopher said, "I value Marla's judgment and decision making without hesitation. From the beginning she demonstrated respect for our corporate history and values as she introduced changes to keep the brand vital for years to come. With Marla at the helm, I see great things for our future. Our sales leaders have warmly welcomed her leadership, and I feel it's a privilege to work with her."

Since 2003 Gottschalk has lead the team that has implemented numerous strategic initiatives to take the successful company to the next level. Her philosophy of simplifying the business for the sales field and focusing on the fundamentals of the business has made a noticeable positive impact.

Pampered Chef Names New CEO

Crains | 4/20/2006

Marla Gottschalk, 45, will become chief executive May 1 after 2 ½ years of service as the Pampered Chef’s president and chief operating officer. She previously spent 14 years at Kraft Foods Inc.

Ms. Gottschalk will work closely with Pampered Chef founder and Chairman Doris K. Christopher.

Pampered Chef Founder Honored

BusinessWire | 4/17/2006

ADDISON, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 11, 2006--Doris K. Christopher, Founder and Chairman of The Pampered Chef, was one of nine individuals to receive the prestigious 2006 Horatio Alger Award, and to be inducted as a lifetime member of The Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans. These nine individuals were chosen from hundreds of nominations recognizing individuals who have come from humble beginnings to achieve extraordinary success.

"The lives of each of these exceptional individuals provide wonderful examples of the tradition of proving that perseverance and integrity are the cornerstones upon which success in our great nation is built," remarked Dennis R. Washington, president and CEO of the Horatio Alger Association. Christopher and the other award recipients were honored at formal ceremonies in Washington D.C., along with over 100 high school seniors from across the nation, each of whom was awarded with a $10,000 scholarship. Presenters throughout the festivities included fellow members, actor Ed McMahon, financial anchor Lou Dobbs, Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas and television personality Oprah Winfrey.

Pampered Chef cooking show to benefit Playground

Village Soup Times | 4/7/2006

By Cindy Rogers

UNION (March 30): On Thursday, April 13 at 6:30 p.m. the Union Elementary School Parent Teacher Club will host a Pampered Chef Cooking Show as a fundraiser for the Union Community Playground Project.

The event will be held at the Union Elementary School and will be presented by Pampered Chef Consultant Cindy Rogers, who is also a member of the PTC. Cindy will teach participants how to prepare Italian-style cuisine in this show themed Cucina Italiana! Guests who wish may also try a hands-on dessert demonstration. Food samples will be served.

High-quality Pampered Chef cooking tools, stoneware, cookware, and serving pieces will be featured and guests will have the opportunity to purchase products at the show.

A percentage of the proceeds from sales at the event will benefit the proposed new playground at the Union Elementary School. In addition, $3 will be donated for every show that is booked with Rogers during the fundraiser. This applies to home-presented Cooking Shows, Catalog Shows, Fundraiser Shows, and Bridal Shower Shows.