If you've been involved with the Village for any length of time, you'll know what a talented woodworker our own Steven Suarez is. And so when we commissioned a chuck box to augment our firepit cooking demonstration, Steven was more than happy to draw up plans, prepare the lumber, and create a masterpiece that is as beautiful as it is functional.
So what's a chuck box, you ask? The chuck box was originally crafted by Charles Goodnight as part of a chuckwagon in 1866. Mr. Goodnight was looking for a handy way to feed cowboys on the months-long cattle drives from Texas to trail heads in northern and western markets. He fashioned a box that would fit into the back of a covered wagon. This box would contain spices, seasonings, utensils, and dry goods that "cookie" might need to prepare meals for starving cowhands. When the front cover dropped down, it would also provide a handy surface for chopping, mixing, and whatever else cooking prep entailed.
Although we do not have a wagon, we do have a wonderful free-standing chuck box that helps us tell the story of a bygone era. And our firepit chefs approve!
Here are photos of the process. Enjoy!
