The Bad Deal calls this a Really bad deal
Groupon is advertising a $25,000 deal private cooking class with Todd English and at least to my astonishment, someone has actually purchased that deal. According to The Bad Deal, this proves “that Grouponomics, the emerging science of making irrational decisions in an over-leveraged world of credit card debt and sovereign debt, is worthy of a Nobel Prize. “
The Deal
- Private cooking lesson for two with Todd English
- Private dinner with Todd English for both cooking lesson participants and up to two additional guests
- Three-night stay for two at Affinia Manhattan
- Double-thumbed oven mitt
- $100 food-and-beverage credit at Niles New York City Restaurant & Bar
- Up to four signed copies of Todd English’s new book, Cooking in Everyday English: The ABCs of Great Flavor at Home (one per dinner guest)
Groupon likens this deal to a guitar lesson from B.B. King. The Bad Deal believes Groupon must have confused B.B. King with Justin Bieber. The deal also includes dinner at Olives or Ca Va. According to Sam Sifton, food critic for the New York Times, Ca Va “serves food that would disappoint “even on a cheap international flight.”
Some harsh comments
Personally, I have never met Todd, nor tried any of his food or restaurants. I was a short order – prep cook at Adolph’s (local Italian cuisine), long enough to gain utmost respect for those that cook or prepare foods for a living. The Bad Deal continues to rag on Todd stating that “most Todd English deals are axiomatically BAD DEALS because they involve having to eat at Todd English restaurants. What we are going to do is express bewilderment that someone actually purchased this deal. That fact alone proves that deal critics (like this one) aren’t doing a good enough job educating the public. Not a single person, rich or poor, deserves to have his or her hard-earned money wasted in such fashion.”
The hotel room is off limits for about 15 days. In viewing the calendar, Valentine’s Day, spring break, St. Patrick’s Day, and Easter appear to be off limits. Also, Olives is closed January and February for renovations. Perhaps Gordon Ramsay from Hell’s Kitchen is doing the renovating.
The deal breakdown
In taking a look at what $25,000 is worth to the winner, this is what I came up with;
- Weekend hotel stay at Affinia – $976.60
- Doubled thumbed oven mitt – $16.95
- $100 food and beverage credit at Niles New York City – $100
- Dinner for 4 at Ca Va – $500
- 4 signed copies of Todd’s new book – $100
The intrinsic value of the deal’s components amount to just under $1700, meaning the time with Todd is valued at over $23,300.00. While Mr. English is a renowned chef having accrued James Beard awards and was named one of People magazines 50 Most Beautiful People, does that justify the extra $23k?
Obviously one person or party out there thinks so. To that person or party, I say that I have won 39 driving contests (golf) and carried a plus 2 handi-cap for a few years. I can put together a driving lesson, followed by a round of golf for 3 other guests, a lunch consisting of dodger dogs and beer ending in an evening of poker and tequila shots. That has to be worth at least $20,000.
The question I have for readers out there is; do you think this deal is worth it? Feel free to drop me a line.
Source: The Bad Deal
