Cast Iron Chef Returns to Fort Mifflin

Want an opportunity to quench your thirst and satisfy your hunger for an immersive history experience this winter. Come to Fort Mifflin for a taste of life in early 19th century Philadelphia! Join the Regimental Brewmeister and our team of hearth cooks for a unique hands-on experience in early 19th century foodways. Take up an Apprentice position in the kitchen or brewery and become part of the team preparing an authentic meal for a visiting dignitary. At the end of the day, join fellow participants in the Cannonball Tavern to share the results of your labor.

It is deep winter and resources are scarce but our team of Apprentices will work with authentic seasonal ingredients to prepare a meal for the garrison. It will include tavern style hearty fare and good spruce beer. Your Apprentice ticket entitles you to a close up, hands-on experience in the brewery or kitchen, robust sampling with seasonal and period-appropriate snacks throughout the day, and lots of period ale. At the end of the day, our apprentices and their masters will retire to the tavern to enjoy a all the meal shared served as it would be in the early 1800’s just after the fort was reconstructed. Of course, this is Fort Mifflin so there will also be guided tours, weapons demonstrations (shoot the cannon yourself!) and maybe even a few uninvited permanent residents.

NEW this year! This event will function as a “living history laboratory” for a team from Pennsylvania State University transcribing, translating, and interpreting the Barclay manuscripts — a collection of 18th century recipes, medicine, and other day-in-the-life dairies. Some of these never before published recipes (https://libraries.psu.edu/about/collections/historical-recipe-books) will be shared with participants and we will attempt to reproduce some of these dishes.

Saturday, January 28 from 10 till 4 with the meal for Apprentices extending till 6 pm. Cost will be a mere $99 per person for a full day of immersion history but tickets will be limited to the first 30 who sign up (20 cooks and 10 brewers) so get your tickets soon. This makes a great holiday gift for your lover of history and great beer.