Join the Cooking Guild

Enjoy Cooking?

Want to learn how it was done in the 18^th Century?

Want to show others how?

Come join the Historical Cooking Guild of the Catawba Valley.  We have a few openings in our guild and are looking for individuals who have interest and/or experience in open hearth cooking.  We are a committee of the Mecklenburg Historical Association and are based at the President James K. Polk State Historic Site in Pineville.

Guild members meet to do open-hearth cooking the 2^nd and 4^th Thursday of every month, except mid-summer.   We dress in period clothing and follow historic guidelines on appearance.  We learn to prepare meals of the 18^th century using authentic receipts, techniques and ingredients.

Membership requires a one-year apprenticeship followed by presentation of a lesson.  Thereafter, we take turns on lessons, participating in events at Polk and other sites.  Regular participation is expected.  The minimum age is 18.  Children cannot accompany the member—the divided attention is not good for the group.

If you are interested, you are invited to come and observe.  The President James K. Polk State Historic Site is located south of Pineville, NC on South Polk Street.  We meet in the kitchen cabin on the 2^nd and 4^th Thursdays from 9 am to 2 pm.  For further information, please call Carolyn Dilda: (704) 596-8834.