Calling all chefs.
Last year’s hugely successful Coal Pot Cook-Off honoring the old traditional way of cooking looks like its celebration may become the island’s newest culinary tradition.
Sponsored by the St. Thomas Historical Trust, the culinary contest is on again this year at noon May 24, and once again on the grounds of Fort Christian.
The coal pot was once the only method of preparing a hot meal and, many say, still the best. Coal pots are a cooking method dating from before kitchen stoves became common. The pots are ceramic, iron or aluminum, all of which were used last year.
The pots are not by any means only a memory; they can be seen bubbling away with all sorts of soups and stews at the monthly Bordeaux farmers’ fair.
The purpose of the event, according to the trust’s president, Ronald Lockhart, is to promote local history and culture by demonstrating a traditional method of cooking in a fun and approachable way for locals and visitors. The event is free and open to the public.
The trust announced it is looking for a few new chefs this year to compete for the title of Best Coal-Pot Chef on St. Thomas.
Each chef has a vote jar in front of his or her station, where folks can vote with dollars to determine the winner. Cash from each jar will then be split between the chef and the Historical Trust to defray expenses.
Each chef (or group of chefs) must prepare a coal pot dish to serve 250 one-tablespoon samples for free to anyone who wants a taste. The event is not meant to serve anyone a whole meal. Following the event, each coal pot station will be reimbursed $200 for their expenses, plus one-half the proceeds from their vote jar.
The trusty cook pot was put to the test last year with a fleet of chefs turning out their finest dishes over the coal. The chefs ranged from a group of students of Chef Ashley Allen of the Ralph O. Wheatley Skills Center, who had folks lining up for their curry-cilantro johnny cakes, to professionals from Frenchman’s Reef to Jambie Martin of We Grow Food’s famous pumpkin soup.
To apply and get a set of rules, potential chefs should contact the trust at 774-5541.
