Oh my goodness, I love brie. I mean, who doesn't? But honestly? It's one of my very favorite parts of the holidays! That's the time of year I make it most frequently, and I look forward to it every year. I have always used a small ceramic dish that came with a round of cheese. It is very simple; it doesn't have a lid, but it is small enough to hug the round and hold the melty goodness in a confined space and shape. Given how much I enjoy making a brie appetizer for my holiday guests, I figured it was time to upgrade, so I ordered this brie baker from Creative Co-op. It's a small ceramic dish with a ceramic lid, and it comes with a small bamboo cheese spreader. Personally, I don't think I'll be using the spreader because I prefer a metal knife for melted cheese. The lid is great because it can keep the brie warmer longer as people graze and go back for more. The quality of this dish is...just okay, I guess. From my experience, Creative Co-op products all have a sort of 'artsy rustic boho' vibe, and this definitely fits that theme or mood. There are other brie baking dishes that are very similar to this one that seem to have a finer finish, but they also cost a lot more than this one does. The lid to mine fits as well as I would expect it to do, which is to say it doesn't fit tightly, but there aren't any major gaps between the two pieces, either. It just sits on top of the base. The ceramic dish is heavy enough to be sturdy, and the whole thing looks and feels attractive. The color is sort of a 'dirty salmon' more than pink, I'd say, which I prefer, but it isn't an especially pretty color, at least not to me. Overall, I am definitely happy to have this brie baker. I cannot wait for the holidays! (Like, literally: I might not wait for the holidays to make a brie plate!) But to be honest, I will also keep an eye out for a good deal on something that fits my style a bit more...something with a finer finish, perhaps, and in a color that better matches or complements my décor. As a functional piece for your kitchen, I recommend it, especially if you're looking for something affordable. I hope that sharing my experience with this product might help YOU make a more informed purchase. Happy shopping!
