Why Vesta?

Vesta, goddess of the hearth, was worshiped during Rome's empire. We were drawn to the symbolism behind her name; just as she represents the fire required in each home to nourish its occupants, we hope to capture her essence by honoring the most basic, oft forgotten elements of a transformative meal.

The most vital of these elements is bread. Organic wheat and white flours, salt, yeast and water are combined to create our dough each evening. After resting overnight it is shaped in the morning, rolled and baked as it has been for thousands of years, on a hot surface.  

A transformative meal at Vesta begins with the cultivation of ingredients. How each farmer treats his/her soil, what the animals raised for milk and meat are fed, how the vegetables grown are protected from pests, and so on. Most of the magic happens before they reach our kitchen, and we are curious about the details.

We care about the ingredients for two reasons. One, it is true that a finished dish only tastes only as good as its worst ingredient. Secondly, our goal is to converge inspiring farmers, respectable ranchers, phenomenal cheese makers, and outstanding millers around our kitchen. One of the most rewarding elements of this work is the relationships we forge with our suppliers. What do they represent? By carefully choosing we can create a rich community and a wealth of knowledge around us. Without intention, we may find ourselves surrounded by empty commercial transactions and little connection to those with whom we work on a weekly basis.

Because of the elevation of the feminine within her circle of worship, Vesta's name resonated even more with us. The Vestales, woman who pledged 30 years of celibacy to focus their energies on tending Vesta's fire, were a highly regarded order in Roman society: unlike other women, they were free to own property, make a will, and vote; and were given the power to free condemned prisoners and slaves with their touch. Being a woman-owned businesses, we wanted to pay homage to the amazing things that can transpire when woman and essential life forces like fire get together under one roof.

I have worked at many kitchens in my days, just as many run by woman chefs as male. But I have stayed much longer in the kitchens where other woman dwell, spending the majority of my culinary career in predominately female-run operations. While it is rare to find female-chef owned restaurants, I have always sought them out. In my experience, there is more harmony among the staff, and the cooking tends to be more soulful, less architectural.

We pay homage to the worship of Vesta and the hearth by honoring what is sacred in food; how it connects us to the earth, the seasons, our senses, and through it's bearers, the greatness that surrounds us.

-- Traci