Love Southern Season - Online Ordering needs improvement. We ordered a lovely Carolina-based gift basket to be delivered express delivery for nearly $40 extra. Other online stores offer 1-2 day express delivery from the time of order. It was not evident from the beginning (poorly placed messaging on the website) that the express delivery option meant that it would be shipped *after* the basket would be prepared, and this meant not on a Saturday or Sunday. This caused us to need to cancel our order, which was being delivered to a guest staying in a hotel at the time, and need to re-order to be delivered to a new location, albeit later than we wanted to. One other detail: the credit card entry method was outdated and did not work with a business expense card I often use on other online ordering platforms. I had to use a personal card. We love A Southern Season's products, but wish the online ordering system was more up-to-date.

Southern Season has gone completely downhill. Used to love Southern Season. Unfortunately they have gone completely downhill since bankruptcy. They no longer honor their gift cards and the one class that I have attended since the acquisition was a total disappointment. Advanced gingerbread house decorating was like a young child's holiday themed party. I can believe I paid $50 for it. First, the woman teaching it was not knowledgeable of the subject. She made frosting so runny, it was a challenge to get candy to even stick to the house. They also didn't have enough candy and suggested we go buy more from the store ourselves. For the price of the class, enough candy should have been provided. Not sure I will ever sign up for another class at SS.

Southern Seasons test of time Growing up in Durham in the 80's, I made my Saturday ritual trip to Southern Season to shop for coffees and other wonderful treats. I have lived out of state for the past 20 years and I still shop on-line. Items I order are accurate and here in just a couple of days. Southern Season has grown and improved every year. I still stop by to shop and browse the wonderful store when I visit Chapel Hill. A great store with great memories.

Not enough hands on coming opportunity My 9 year old daughter attended a cooking class this past weekend. The facilities were lovely, and the teachers warm and kind. My daughter was, however, frustrated by the lack of actual cooking she got to do. Would have enjoyed more individual work, rather than making a class dish, which was mostly cooked by the teachers and then divided for all to try.

Need more advanced or unique hands-on classes. I have found the last two hands on classes wasteful of time. I will only attend non hands on from now on unless targeted for more advanced cooks. A long lesson in cutting onions, for instance, wasn't a good use of time for someone like me who has attended dozens of culinary classes. Could you offer hands on for more experienced home cooks?