An interview with Michelle Liu, Creator of VitaClay cooking technology.

Visit booth #L11035.

KNSD: Your new Crock n’ Stock is a first of its kind: a clay stockpot that’s a fast and smart multi-cooker too. What inspired you to make this, and is there really room in a competitive market for another stockpot?

ML: My customers were asking for a larger pot, but the market was much bigger than I realized. This stockpot is the first 6.5-quart smart and fast multi-cooker made of organic unglazed clay. I’ve also introduced a ceramic version.

People have been asking for a stock and crock made from the healthiest ingredients in the world – organic unglazed clay. That said, people are also wanting a personal size for dorm rooms, offices and studio living. I have the smallest clay personal cooker plus yogurt maker two-in-one and the largest clay smart stockpot – both ends of the spectrum get to eat healthy!

KNSD: Who is your target customer?

ML: People have new cooking habits because they work from home, choose to eat out less often and prepare foods for a healthier lifestyle or special diets. We’ve also discovered people are cooking for groups or want larger quantities of certain foods like bone broth. Bigger families, co-living communities and the restaurants that cater to the health conscious now select green cookware.

Many cultures that prize clay-pot cooking are reviving that tradition in a new way because time is a factor today. Bone broth is highly recommended by doctors for people on the GAPS diet, with Celiac (gluten-free) and other autoimmune challenges, and the Paleo folks are bone broth and meat stew fans too. Hearty soups, broths and stew are great for curbing your appetite. The gelatin, enzymes and minerals nourish the body and soul in a deeply satisfying way, reducing sugar and salt cravings and strengthening the immune system, the blood and the bones.

KNSD: Tell our readers why this ancient culinary technique is experiencing a rebirth.

ML: Often in challenging health situations, family members are learning to cook in completely new ways with unfamiliar ingredients and without heavy salt, sugar or extra oils. Cooking from scratch and starting from scratch – with a new food regime and very little time to spend in the kitchen, is where VitaClay helps. Our smart cooker is programmable and has a convenient warming feature and delay timer. Fill it with fresh ingredients, then set and forget – and have a piping hot meal perfectly cooked when you are ready to sit down. Beef bone broth, which takes 24 hours the traditional way, takes only 10 hours with VitaClay. That’s a real breakthrough. An amazing one-pot meal of stew, pasta or chili takes 30 to 45 minutes from start to finish.

Our safe, non-toxic clay alkalizes your food while sealing in rich flavors and nutrients, and there’s no aluminum, lead or non-stick chemicals to leach into the food. It’s also top rated by Good Housekeeping and recommended by Weight Watchers.

For more information, call 408.621.6187.