Le Creuset

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Le Creuset
TypeSAS
IndustryCookware
Founded1925; 98 years ago (1925)
FounderArmand De Saegher (Belgian)
Octave Aubecq (Belgian)
Headquarters
Fresnoy-le-Grand
,
France
Key people
Paul van Zuydam (president)
OwnerPaul van Zuydam
Websitewww.lecreuset.com
Casserole in "Volcanic Flame" orange
Casserole in "Volcanic Flame" orange

Le Creuset (French pronunciation: ​[lə kʁøzɛ], meaning "the crucible") is a premium French-Belgian cookware manufacturer best known for its colourfully-enameled cast-iron cookware "French ovens", also known as "cocottes" or "coquelles" and "sauce pans" or "casseroles" (in French). The company also makes many other types of cookware and bakeware, from fondue-sets to tagines.

History

Le Creuset was founded in Fresnoy-le-Grand, Aisne, Picardy at the crossroads of transportation routes for iron, coke, and sand. Armand De Saegher (a Belgian casting specialist) and Octave Aubecq (a Belgian enamelling specialist) opened the foundry in 1925.[1] [2] That same year, the first cocotte (or French oven) was produced, laying the foundation for what is now an extensive range of cookware and kitchen utensils. Flame (orange), was used for the first piece.

During World War II, Le Creuset began to focus on continually improving cast iron.

In the 1950s the designer Raymond Loewy introduced a futuristic type of cookware.

In 1957, Le Creuset purchased a competitor, Les Hauts Fourneaux de Cousances, and began producing items such as a grill and a fondue set.

The cookery writer Elizabeth David promoted Mediterranean cooking in the UK and was a Le Creuset promoter, particularly in her 1969 booklet 'Cooking with Le Creuset'. One of the colours of blue in the cookware range was created for her [3]

The current Le Creuset logo was introduced in 1970 as a symbolic representation of metal casting and moulding.

Dutch ovens or "coquelles" designed by Raymond Loewy

In the 1970s Enzo Mari designed distinctive Dutch ovens and saucepans with domed lids and typical handles. In the 1980s JC Barrault's "Futura" line was launched.

The company was purchased by Paul van Zuydam in 1988.[4]

In 1995, Le Creuset began exploring new product categories: stainless steel, stoneware, silicone, enamel on steel, textiles and forged hard-anodized aluminium.

Le Creuset offers a variety of colours, from bright (e.g. cherry, a gradated red) to muted (e.g. dune, a gradated off-white).[5] Its discontinued colours include cobalt (gradated blue-violet), black onyx (solid black), kiwi (gradated light green),[5] as well as slate, granite, cactus, and citron.[6][7] In addition to their standard colors, Le Creuset partners with major kitchenware retail brands such as Williams-Sonoma and Sur La Table to offer unique "exclusive" colors which are only available for purchase through their respective stores.

Le Creuset sauce pans
Le Creuset sauce pans

Le Creuset kitchenware gained new fans amongst users of social media in 2020 as a high value designer brand.[8][9]

Production

To manufacture their cast-iron cookware, the Le Creuset foundry uses standard sand casting methods. After hand finishing, items are sprayed with at least two coats of enamel. The Le Creuset Signature range of cast iron cookware is coated in a minimum of three coats of enamel.[10] The enamel becomes resistant to damage during normal use. Currently, all Le Creuset cast-iron cookware is still manufactured in the company's foundry in Fresnoy-le-Grand. The process was featured on BBC Two's Inside the Factory.[11]

Le Creuset products that are not cast-iron may be made in other countries, such as China (accessories or silicone products), Thailand (kettles and ceramics), England (enamel cleaner), Portugal (stainless steel),[citation needed] and Swaziland (clay pots).[citation needed]

See also

Image gallery

  • Vintage casseroles by Raymond Loewy

    Vintage casseroles by Raymond Loewy

  • Individual casseroles

    Individual casseroles

  • Shallow casserole in 'grape' colour

    Shallow casserole in 'grape' colour

  • Fondue pot designed by Enzo Mari

    Fondue pot designed by Enzo Mari

  • Le Creuset shop display

    Le Creuset shop display

  • Le Creuset tea kettle

    Le Creuset tea kettle

  • Le Creuset Enamel Cast Iron Cookware

    From left: Le Creuset Dutch oven, saute pan, small wok, and rectangular baker

References

  1. ^ Guardian, David Levene for the (7 September 2015). "Le Creuset celebrates 90 years - in pictures". the Guardian. Retrieved 22 May 2016.
  2. ^ "The Secret History Of: Le Creuset". The Independent. 19 November 2010. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  3. ^ www.lecreuset.co.uk https://www.lecreuset.co.uk/en_GB/our-heritage/cop007.html. Retrieved 29 July 2021. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  4. ^ "Historey". Le Creuset. Retrieved 4 October 2018.
  5. ^ a b "True Colors". Cookware.lecreuset.com. Archived from the original on 11 April 2013. Retrieved 18 April 2014.
  6. ^ "Kitchen Classic Conundrum: What Color Is Your Le Creuset?". Epicurious.com. Retrieved 18 April 2014.
  7. ^ "Where can I find discontinued colors of Le Creuset? - Cookware - Chowhound". Chowhound.chow.com. 26 November 2010. Retrieved 18 April 2014.
  8. ^ "TikTok Has Become Weirdly Obsessed with Le Creuset". Food & Wine. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  9. ^ Chen, Connie. "Le Creuset cookware is pricey, but its cast iron and stoneware pieces can last for years, if not decades — here's why they're worth the investment". Business Insider. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  10. ^ "What's the Difference between Staub, Le Creuset and Chasseur French Ovens?". Everten Blog & Reviews. 15 March 2019. Retrieved 14 June 2022.
  11. ^ "Inside the Factory". Housewares. Retrieved 29 July 2021.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Le Creuset.

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