Hearth Cooking with Lucy Ricketts

Hearth cooking is a lost art. What used to be a commonplace, everyday task has been replaced with modern conveniences such as oven and microwaves. Although it will satisfy your hunger, convenience can’t replace the unique taste a dish cooked over an open fire provides. As part of the Family Fun Sunday’s series, the Oldham County History Center will present “Hearth Cooking with Lucy Ricketts” on Sunday, April 15 from 12:30 - 4 p.m. “There is something very special and savory about eating food cooked with fire,” said Ricketts, a local re-enactor. Visitors who stop by the History Center that day will learn about the history of cooking over an open fire and how basic recipes haven’t really changed much in over 100 years. “It is just the method of cooking,” that has changed. Ricketts said she likes the “challenge of cooking with fire.” She became interested in cooking this way about 26 years ago when her youngest son wanted to become a re-enactor. “He was too young to go by himself so we took him to events,” she said. “After the first year we decided to join him!” She learned to cook by watching and working alongside other living historians, reading about the topic and visiting living history museums. She even took a weekend course at Shaker Village and spent much time in “plenty of trials and errors.” Since then, Ricketts has helped teach cooking classes at Locust Grove in Louisville, Ky and various Civil War events, such as Perryville. Cost for this program is $15 per person. Suitable for all ages, but young children must be accompanied by an adult. Reservations are required by calling 502-222-0826.