The Guild of the Black Kettle
The Guild of the Black Kettle was founded in An Tir in the early 1980s, approximately 1983.
From the first page of Volume 1, Issue 1 of "A Watched Pot," the quarterly journal of the Guild of the Black Kettle, here is the statement of purpose.
"The Guild of the Black Kettle was established in the Kingdom of An Tir to promote the study and use of medieval culinary arts above and beyond the limitations of the competition-orientation of the Order of the Wooden Spoon of West Kingdom.It is the primary purpose of the Guild to serve as a resource to people who are interested in furthering their skills and practicing what they have learned. By sponsoring competitions, group activities such as breakfasts and feasts, and encouraging research through this publication, we can stimulate interest and participation in these areas while providing recognition and encouragement for those who paricipate. The Guild also provides a clearinghouse for local cooking guilds to exchange and explore experiences that may benefit all."
The first Guild leader was Liesel von Langental of the Shire of Coeur du Val. By spring of 1987 the Guild leader was Jean-Louis de Chambertin The first editor of the journal "A Watched Pot" was Asahla Telerion of the Barony of Madrone. Notable members were Roberta of Rowan, Daniel Shadygrove, Elayne Greybeard, and Aislinn of Cumbria. Other members in leadership and project postions included Jean-Louis de Chambertin, Richildis d'Haute Saone, Robbyn Greybeard, Margaret of Ayre, and Anastasia Aleksandrovna Andreeva.
Recollections
The Black Kettle Trailer
The Guild possessed a trailer, towed and maintained by Jean-Louis de Chambertin to events during the period 1985 to 1992 or so. The trailer had a propane stove, a propane oven, many cabinets to carry cooking equipment, and work surfaces. At events where the trailer was present, members of the Guild of the Black Kettle would offer pancake breakfast on Sunday morning for anyone who came by with a plate and cutlery and $2 in cash. We became accustomed to smelling cooking pancakes wafted on the breeze. I cannot recall if they also provided coffee.
The Black Kettle Trailer made its final appearance at the 30th Year Celebration of the SCA event that was hosted by the Kingdom of An Tir and took place in the (then) Shire of Stromgard in AS XXX (1996). The trailer anchored the event steward's camp (in those days the word used was for the person ultimately in charge of an event was "autocrat") and members of the camp were able to keep food available for the event team. Lead event steward Jean-Louis de Chambertin, night event steward Master Edward the stuffy, Baron Trahaern and Baroness Janelyn of Madrone, and other workers on the event were based around the kitchen provided by the trailer.
Afterward, the Black Kettle Trailer retired to wherever old rusty trailers go.