“Cast Iron Curious? Learn More About a Hot Topic”
Cooking in cast iron has grown in popularity in recent years, as more people appreciate its superior benefits. Katie Hoffman and Brett Tiller, founders of Vintage Kitchen Cast Iron, enjoy sharing the reasons why they prefer cooking in vintage pans as opposed to newer ones. There are a lot of practical benefits: a well-seasoned pan won’t stick, the thermal density of cast iron keeps food hot longer, and there’s no need to worry about toxic non-stick coatings, to give a few examples. But there’s more to it for Brett and Katie, including the fascinating history of cast iron cooking vessels in the US and Appalachia in particular--and the fact that so many of these individual cast iron pieces have their own stories to tell, and a beautiful patina that started in great-grandma’s kitchen!
During an evening presentation at the Millwald Theater in Wytheville, VA, Katie and Brett will talk a little bit about this history. They’ll also offer advice on choosing the right cast iron for your cooking style. Of course, they’ll cover the most popular topic of all--the basics of cast iron care and maintenance. A lively Q&A session will follow.
After the presentation, Brett and Katie invite you to join them for an in-person Cast Iron Clinic. During the clinic, you’ll have one-on-one time to discuss what interested you most about cast iron--including your own heirlooms! Bring your own treasured cast iron, along with your questions about its history and condition. Brett and Katie will try to tell you something about the age and maker of your pan if they can. They’ll give you advice about restoring it. If you want to try it yourself, they’ll point you in the right direction. If you want them to do it, they can give you an estimate and you can send it away with them to their “pan spa.” As you wait your turn to speak with them you can peruse pieces from their own collection that are a little “museum” that they sometimes display for those interested in cast iron history. There will also be some restored cast iron for sale.
This will be a fun and informative night. Bring your curiosity and your cast iron!
Tickets On Sale 8/16/24 at 1pm!
Vintage Kitchen Cast Iron and Collectibles
Katie Hoffman and Brett Tiller got into this business by a happy accident. (Ask Katie to tell you the story if you’re interested.) Now they go hunting together at flea markets, thrift shops, and estate sales, looking for long-neglected pieces of cast iron to restore and match up with avid cooks and collectors. It’s their passion to get the right pan into the hands of an enthusiastic cook. They also love restoring people’s treasured cast iron that just needs a little bit of love.
Brett is the craftsman. He brings these vintage pieces beautifully back to their former glory, getting rid of years of crud and rust to let the individual beauty of each piece shine through. Just one look at his work shows his meticulous and loving treatment of each vintage piece. Brett’s handiwork is second to no other’s in terms of its quality.
Katie serves as the sales force and PR manager, booking pop-up sales, demos, and appearances. She keeps the website and social media up to date (sort of), and works with restoration clients and retail outlets. She also does quite a bit of research into the history of the pieces they sell. You’ll notice a handwritten history on the tag of each piece that Vintage Kitchen sells. That’s also Katie’s doing.
Brett and Katie are pleased that so many people trust them with their heirloom pieces for restoration or sale. Numerous people have approached Vintage Kitchen Cast Iron to sell family pieces, knowing thatVKCI specializes in connecting their family pieces with cooks who will use great-grandma’s skillet to make fabulous meals—and who’ll care for it just as carefully as great-grandma did.
Looking for just the right pan for your own use? Katie and Brett will help you find just the right pan from their stacks of beautifully restored vintage iron just waiting for a new home.
Interested in learning more? Visit the Vintage Kitchen website: https://www.vintagekitchencastiron.com/
Follow us on social media (FB & Instagram): @vintagekitchencastiron