"COOKING OVER AN OPEN FIRE ~ Buckingham Hall c.1780" Top 5 Page for this destination Mystic Seaport Local Custom Tip by Pawtuxet

We went to Mystic for an open hearth cooking class. Two women run the class and help everyone to be involved in the preparation of the meal...and the tending of the fires. l We used old wooden bowls, redware, tinware, and old iron pots. We were in the house they call "the Buck". It was owned by a family who kept their home in an old style (1600's fireplace) in spite of the newer methods of building the bake oven at the front wall so that women wouldn't get burned so easily. The house has remained the same design as the family left it. It was moved from Massachusetts to become part of the historic Mystic Seaport Village.
The mulled wine was waiting for us with cheese and crackers for snacking as we launched forward into the intrigueing world of open hearth cooking. Everyone was a good sport about taking on the various tasks...including cleaning up afterwards. With 7 guests and the two instructors we were finished in a flash. I had a hand (literally) in the cod fish cakes and peeling apples for the pies. My husband made the corn bread (after a few missteps) and it turned out to be the talk of the dinner table...delicious! Small wonder cause he really had no idea what he was doing. The roasted chicken had a bit of smokey flavor which was interesting and the apple pies were just THE BEST!! Whipped cream took a couple of people....no electric mixers!!
We learned about lighting a proper fire, and how to use various kitchen implements. We started working at 6 pm....the fires were started earlier. By 8 pm we were able to sit down and eat....roasted chickens cooked to perfection in front of the fire. Our complete menu in one of my pics. Our little team worked diligently and stoked the fires to keep up the pace.....totally proud of our accomplishments by meal's end!!