Culinary/Spiritmakers Guild of Dragons' Laire

    Culinary Guild Head: HL Rycheza z Polska
    Spiritmakers Guild Head: HL Matuesz z Plocka

Several years ago, the members of both guilds looked around and noticed we were nearly all the same people. At that time we decided to consolidate the groups to conserve our resources. We do, however, still think of ourselves as separate entities in some ways. The combined group has one regular meeting each month, usually on the Second Tuesday of the month.  (Sometimes the meeting is moved to take advantage of special circumstances or to support special projects.) The topic alternates between culinary and spiritmaking interests.

What is the Culinary Guild?  The guild is an informal group of persons with an interest in food, particularly the food of the Middle Ages.  In 2003 we began a demo kitchen at our primary event Junefaire to show off medieval cookery to a mundane audience. (For more information on this project see Evolution of a Demo and our Cookpics and our Bread Project pages.) Over the years other projects have included collecting items for the Barony's use for feasts and publishing small cookbooks. We also sponsor classes. These are often of the hands-on variety. In the past we have learned how to make cheese, lefse, breads and worked on redactions of period recipes with delicious results. Perhaps one of our favorite activities is the "Night Out" when we visit local restaurants to study their technique. (OK, we go to eat.) All are welcome at any meeting. (At left a Pipkin on the fire at Junefaire '03) WE are not the chief cooks and bottle washers of the Barony, although our members will often be found in the kitchen. Recruitment of kitchen staff for any particular event is the responsibility of the autocrat and a willingness to help is usually the only criteria.

What is the Spiritmakers Guild? Guild members share an interest in the making of mead, beer, wine and other beverages.  This is not limited to alcoholic beverages. WE ARE NOT a drinking group. (Although we do our share of tasting.) In the past we have made mead, beer and ale, wine and soda pop. Responsible drinking is emphasized. Take a look at our official charter at Spiritmakers'  Guild Charter.

Who can join the Culinary Guild?  Membership in the guild is not currently formalized in any fashion. If you show up regularly we consider you a member. Everyone is welcome, come once in a while or to every meeting.  No fees are required.  Cost for classes are borne by the students and teachers in varying ratios. We also have an e-list to discuss topics of interest outside meetings.

Who can join the Spiritmakers Guild?  Membership in this guild does require a formal letter of intent to be an "official" member. (But you do not need to be a formal member to attend meetings or participate in activities.)  Since we often deal with alcoholic beverages, legal drinking age is a requirement for official membership, although if you are under 21 years of age you are still welcome to attend appropriate classes and activities. There is no age limit on research. Again cost for classes is borne by the students and teacher.

Do I have to know how to cook or brew?  No! We welcome everyone with an interest from gourmet chefs and master brewers to people who can only burn water. Our goal is to share our interests and skills with everyone.

Why don't you have your meetings at Fight practice? Every one else does.  Partially because everybody else does. But mostly because it is difficult to do much cooking at fight practice. We simply do not have a fully stocked kitchen at our disposal there, so most meetings happen at the member's homes. (Or at that great new restaurant!) 

Spiritmakers/Brewers Guild Site: Matuesz has for many years had his own site for Spiritmakers/Brewers.  He regrets that mundane concerns have kept him from regularly updating it so he cannot promise that info is totally up-to-date, but promised to work on it soon. (Meanwhile, Rycheza is chivying him to transfer the updated info to this space.)  In the meantime, you can get a glimpse into our past and check out some recipes and projects. 
(at Right: a pot of mead simmers)

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