In the heart of historic downtown Snohomish, just west of the buzzing shops and eateries on First Street, sits an elegant industrial building with distinct red lettering. This is home to the headquarters of Art Culinaire, the exclusive United States distributor for Lacanche French ranges — one of the oldest and most prestigious stove manufacturers in the world.
Lacanche is a small village in Burgundy, France, where these heirloom-quality kitchen appliances have been skillfully manufactured for more than 250 years. In many ways, Snohomish mirrors the spirit of Lacanche with its historic preservation and agriculturally-driven community, making it an organic place for the U.S. distribution hub. “The soul of Snohomish is an extension of the soul of Lacanche,” says Stan Barrett, founder and CEO of Art Culinaire.
Each Lacanche range is custom-built with a six-month lead-time from order to delivery, designed intricately with a focus on simplicity and sophistication. Built with the highest-quality materials, including cast iron, heavy-gauge steel, and solid brass, Lacanche ranges are designed to last. “Lacanche products remain analog - maintaining history in the age of AI,” says Reese Barrett, Chief Operating Officer. “Our stoves are about slowing down, savoring, and gathering.”
Many chefs and culinary enthusiasts design their kitchens — and sometimes their entire homes — around this stove. But Art Culinaire wants Lacanche in the kitchens of real people, not just elite chefs. The Art Culinaire team said these beautiful ranges are for anyone curious enough to learn. “It’s well worth the effort,” says Kari Stoddard, Chief Financial Officer of Art Culinaire.
The Art Culinaire team makes multiple trips to Burgundy each year, staying closely connected to the Lacanche manufacturer, as well as French values and customs. Art Culinaire’s relationship with the manufacturer eliminates the need for a “middle man,” bolstering a closer connection when it comes to support and customer care, and gives them the ability to make product decisions based on the experiences and feedback of U.S. customers.
Stan Barrett started the stove business in 1991 and became the sole distributor of Lacanche in 1995. In the midst of growing the Art Culinaire business, Stan owned and operated Woodinville Wine Cellars as a hobbyist vintner. He saw an alignment with the small, hospitable community in Burgundy and that of Snohomish. Along with his sons, Reese and Taylor, Stan leads the company on its path to continued, sustainable growth with showrooms in Washington (Snohomish), California (Santa Monica) and New York (Manhattan), as they ready themselves for expansion into the Texas market.
Reese and Taylor began working with Art Culinaire in 2008, starting in quality control within the service department, allowing them to learn the business from the ground up. Reese now serves as the COO, leading operational excellence out of the Snohomish headquarters. Taylor manages the Manhattan location, driving sales and development for the East Coast region. A family-run business, Stan’s vision for Art Culinaire is for it to “maintain the small family business feel, extending to all staff inclusively.”
Leaning into their team’s diverse talents, the Art Culinaire technology team recently released a robust, interactive website redesign to enable clients to build their ideal range, customized down to the most detailed specifications. “Design My Range” allows you to select the size, model, knobs, and rich porcelain enamel finishes to make the range your own.
After designing a range online, customers can request a quote from the Art Culinaire team and schedule a tour of their local showroom to experience a curated selection of stoves. The team wants to understand the way the range will be used, ensuring customers are pleased with every aspect of their order. “We want your range to match the way you cook,” shares Kari. Once they know how the range will be used, the team can assist with finalizing specific features. Unlike many online shopping experiences, purchasing a Lacanche range invites direct interaction with an actual person.
Working with Art Culinaire is a true partnership, not just a purchase. Their team personally handles every aspect of the client experience, and the seamless connection between sales, delivery, and support allows the team to quickly address client needs. They pride themselves on providing a personal touch to each client interaction, being a place where real people still answer the phone and clients write in to share recipes and cooking tips after their purchase.
Art Culinaire continues its sustainable, human-scale growth while remaining true to its roots and embracing opportunity right here in Snohomish. In a time when art is often sacrificed for the sake of efficiency, Lacanche and the Art Culinaire team reminds us that the best things — the meals, the meaningful moments — are built to endure. “We’ve weathered a recession, technology shifts, and changing trends,” says Reese. “What endures is quality, purpose, and people. We want to bring families back to the table.”
Ready to configure your own Lacanche range? Visit www.configure.frenchranges.com or reach out to their team for a private tour of the showroom. To read more about the rich history and legacy of Lacanche, visit www.lacanche.com.
The Vision: A Return to Connection
We believe every range begins with the earth. The land, rich in nutrients, nurtures the seeds that grow into the foods that grace our tables. This connection—to the soil, to the farmers who tend it, and to the traditions that preserve it—is the soul of our mission.
In a world that often feels rushed and fragmented, we see the kitchen as a sanctuary. It is a place to slow down, savor, and gather. Lacanche ranges are not just tools for cooking; they are instruments for creating moments that matter. They remind us that true nourishment begins long before a meal is prepared. It begins with respect for the earth and a shared understanding of our roots.
- Art Culinaire
"Our stoves are about slowing down, savoring, and gathering."
"We want to bring families back to the table."