The owners of Purple Cafe and Wine Bar and Lot No. 3 in downtown Bellevue launched their newest creation this week, Cast Iron Studios. Cast Iron Studios will be the private event venue, catering hub, and location for regular food and drink workshops for Heavy Restaurant Group.

The space can hold as many as 250 guests, but owners said, it is ideal for smaller, more intimate gatherings as well. Cast Iron Studios has access to each of Heavy Restaurant Group’s food menus from Purple, Lot No. 3, and Barrio Mexican Kitchen, leading to a diverse catering selection.

For many, the big draw may turn out to be the workshops.

The current schedule includes seven different workshops in June and July with topics including Pacific Northwest Cuisine taught by Harry Mills, executive chef for Heavy Restaurant Group, to A History of Whiskey led by Chris Faber, bar manager at Lot No. 3. A schedule and description of upcoming Cast Iron Studio workshops can be found online.

Custom workshops can also be created with the help of Heavy Restaurant Group’s team of chefs, wine directors and bartenders as well.