A Brooklyn Tradition

A couple in Brooklyn started Hammersmith Copper Cookware out of a love for cooking, an appreciation for the durability and efficiency of copper, and an interest in bringing the glory of what they considered the best cookware to the public. After searching for some time to find copper cookware made in the states, they found it "hasn't been made in America for over a generation, but the last of it was made right here in Brooklyn." A series of happy accidents lead them to Jeff Herkes and his Bushwick shop, who at that time was fabricating the parts needed to restore the HighLine elevated rail line turned public park. "Jeff had acquired all the old chucks and other tooling for the Waldow line of copper cookware when he bought his fabricating shop in the 1980s. It was all there, along with the metal-working talent, ready to be resurrected."

Q: What do skateboarders and cooks have in common?

 A: If they're using Epicurean cutting boards, they're both cutting it up on the same durable material. Sister company to Loll Designs (see our article about them here) Epicurean was founded in 2003 by TrueRide, a custom skate park manufacturer in Duluth, Minnesota. They used the excess material they had to create home food prep surfaces. Commercial kitchens had long ago discovered the durability of the material, so this was a natural next step. We especially love this series, called the Designer Series, for its adorable patterns and the built-in way to keep track of which board you use for raw meats and poultry, versus the one you want to cut your kids veggies on. They have tons more to choose from, check out their selection here and buy them directly from their website or from a store near you.

Down at the General Store

The Brook Farm General Store is a small store in Williamsburg, Brooklyn filled to the brim with exceedingly tasteful and simple goods in the tradition of old-fashioned general stores, but with a modern twist. They're online store has made it possible for people all over the world to enjoy the old-timey general store feeling no matter where our may be. Not so long ago, they came out with their own line of products, called Tourne and their classic-yet-modern ceramics are all made in the USA and have a great handmade feel. You can get them in white or cream, or my personal favorite, a combo of both.

Bauer Wow Wow

 

Anyone who has ever been to a flea market would recognize Bauer Pottery. The iconic shapes and colors are are a favorite of collectors. Starting in Kentucky and then hitting its stride in Los Angeles, CA, J. A. Bauer Pottery Company created beautiful colorful stoneware from the late 1880s to the early 1960s. Well, you no longer have to scour estate sales and swap meets for Bauer classics. A ceramics studio in LA just minutes from the original plant has reintroduced much of the Bauer line with an emphasis on the styles from the 30s and 40s. These new pieces are called Bauer 2000. An American classic once again being made in America.

Kitchen Essentials

 

Since 1967, the Vermont Bowl Company has been making the classic wooden bowls no kitchen should be without in Wilmington, VT. That is a long tradition of high quality and craftsmanship. Founded by John McLeod, an engineer from Scotland who was on his way to Canada when he fell in love with Vermont. He stayed and turned his hobby for woodturning into a successful business. Despite the company name, they make much more than bowls. You'll find cutting boards, utensils, serving pieces, even furniture.

The stone cold truth

The timeless beauty of classic stoneware is back en vogue in a big way. And no stoneware company is more classic than Red Wing. On the banks of the Mississippi in Red Wing, Minnesota, Red Wing has been making their utilitarian kitchenware the same way since the 1870's. A collectors' favorite, the cobalt and red designs couldn't feel more quintessentially American.