How to Build your Le Creuset Collection

It doesn’t matter whether you’re a budding amateur chef, an at-home culinary star, an internationally celebrated foodie celeb like Siba Mtongana or one of the country’s most renowned Corden Bleu cookery school owners like Carianne Wilkinson, Le Creuset is the cooking and kitchenware brand on every enthusiastic cook’s lips.

And while everyone has different tastes (and colour preferences), there are some common pieces of advice we think apply to anyone wanting to start their Le Creuset collection, looking to expand their cast iron horizons or on the hunt for a daily stoneware or stainless steel essential they know they’ll use and love on a daily basis.

We caught up with Carianne and Siba and think their advice is golden!

Siba’s Spirit Colours & Essential Advice for Collectors

“The beautiful thing about Le Creuset is that the products are created with not only function in mind but also aesthetics, so practically any product can be used as a statement decor piece in and outside of the kitchen.”

She’s famous for her 7-Colour Rice, her bubbly personality and TV shows that are loved the world over – Siba’s recipes and menu ideas are such a delicious marriage of traditional South African fare with delightful modern twist. Siba is also the author of the super successful Welcome to My Table by Siba as well Let’s Cook, her first ever children’s book, due for release later this year.

The classic Signature Round Cerise Cast Iron Casserole dish was my very first introduction to Le Creuset products and the love affair has never ended! I love making my famous family roasts as well as sweet and savoury bakes in my Le Creuset cookware – I really love that you can make and serve in the same dish.

I love how Le Creuset continues to innovate with on trend colour options, so I find myself loving a particular colour every season, but there is always one constant which is my staple. I love Meringue, because of its clean, fresh and uncomplicated look and feel. Oh and did you know that you can purchase the gold knobs separately to give you an extra glam feel?! Also, lately, I’m obsessed with Fig.

Siba’s all time favourite Le Creuset loves:

Cast Iron : Le Creuset Signature 3.5 Litre Buffet Casserole and the 30cm and the Le Creuset Signature 28cm. 6.7 Litre Round Cast Iron Casserole

Stoneware: when it comes to Le Creuset stoneware, I find myself using different sized Heritage Dishes for everything and anything, every single day. Making, baking , roasting and serving. I especially love the Ramekins for customising individual servings for my family and friends, what a special treat!

Start with these few products and you will be ready to fly in the kitchen!

Carianne’s Pro Tips & Favourite Shades

Carianne Wilkinson is the third generation of her family to run the famous Silwood Cookery School, one of the oldest Cordon Bleu schools and bastions of classic cooking in South Africa. Carianne is also an international restaurant judge, caterer, recipe developer and food stylist – and of course she loves her Le Creuset.

In the 90’s, each student station at Silwood consisted of an 18cm and 20cm Signature Round Cast Iron Casserole and a 30cm Buffet Casserole which we considered (and still do consider) essential classics. The addition of the 18 and 20cm Stainless Steel saucepans and 28cm Toughened Non Stick Frying Pan to our cooking sets was momentous – we love the Cast Iron for our speciality dishes, braises and for baking breads and the stainless steel as our everyday cooking pots.

The first Le Creuset item I ever bought for myself was the Screwpull bottle opener, which is an earlier version of the Lever Model LM250 bottle opener. It is definitely one of my most loved appliances and a vital player whenever I entertain. When it comes to food, I only ever cook in le Creuset! The most recent new dish we are making at Silwood is a sourdough in the buffet casserole – using it as a Dutch Oven.

When it comes to colour choices, I am a blues girl. I love all the blues from Marseille to Coastal Blue, Deep Teal, Caribbean Blue to Mist Grey. I have just painted my kitchen grey blue and am now wanting to kit it out with Meringue Stoneware range of utensil holders, herb keepers and salt and pepper mills.

My advice to anyone starting their Le Creuset collection:

• Signature Oval Casserole – this is a versatile 1st buy as it can be used as a pot, a casserole or for a roast. And should always be on display to add that touch of class to your kitchen
• Signature Buffet Casserole – this is the perfect 2nd buy, great for paella’s, braising or as a sauté pan.
• Giant Reversible Grill – an absolute must, best of both worlds- a flat top and marked grill in one.

Once you have these 3 – the Stainless Steel pot collection is a must!

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