Chef Blog

Elite Spotlight: Matthew H. (thehungryhussey) A true southern gent, Matthew Hussey describes himself as a homebody with roots like an oak tree. He started cooking as a kid to help out when his mom was recovering from surgery and has...

Cody L. also known as The Wellness Soldier sat down with Dalstrong to talk about why eating cannabis is different from smoking it, cooking for famous rappers, and turning tragedy into redemption. 

Meat master Gary Welch started grilling on a used Traeger ten years ago and has never looked back. His love of cooking started in his grandma’s kitchen making whipped cream from scratch and inspires him to regularly cook for his fellow paramedics at work.

What started as his friends asking “What are you cooking on Sunday?” has turned Nick Coe into a mini-Instagram backyard BBQ sensation.

French-Canadian BBQ artist Alex Turcotte is obsessed with pushing his creations to the limit. Experimenting with different flavors and incorporating other influences keeps his dishes constantly evolving. He sat down with Dalstrong to talk about his kids, why approach is more important than technique, and how understanding fire is everything.

Private chef Jason Waschkowski says one of his favorite things to do is to shop for an eclectic array of specialty spices and oils that few people buy. His approach is to constantly experiment, and he recommends that aspiring chefs approach their food like an artist. He sat down with Dalstrong to talk about his new experiment with kangaroo, how to make meals personal, and why he’d love to cook for the queen.  

Charcoal-obsessed pitmaster Jabin Postal says his BBQ obsession took off after his children were diagnosed with food allergies. Combining necessity and passion, his mission became creating the best food experiences he could for his three boys. He sat down to talk to Dalstrong about the power of simple cooks, his best “cheater BBQ” recipe, and why he prefers a flamethrower to light his charcoal.

When he started a New York City-based food vlog eight years ago, John DeMartino had no idea it would be the beginning of an intense love affair with BBQ. The lifelong foodie became passionate about exploring different varieties and techniques, bought a Traeger, and the rest is history.

When Matt Krull’s first marriage began to unravel in his early twenties, he joined the Marine Corps and came out the other side “forged through fire.” His journey into cooking started much later in life with a love for feeding his family, and has turned into a passion for sharing love and positivity with his followers. He sat down with Dalstrong to talk about heartbreak, spirituality, and why he’s driven by the creative process. 

With a strong social following on Instagram, it’s hard to believe that Misty Banchero has only been cooking for a little over a year. Her drool-worthy BBQ pics and videos have earned her a loyal, engaged, hungry audience. She sat down with Dalstrong to talk about her inspiration, why ingredients are everything, and what it means to be a “meat man’s wife.”

After being furloughed from her restaurant gig, Chef Kelsey Shade put down the puzzles and picked up her phone to post chef tips on Tik Tok. With two culinary degrees and a passion for teaching, she’s created a robust following through focusing on the fundamentals of cooking. But there’s nothing simple about this young chef. She sat down with Dalstrong to talk about her philosophies, her inspirations, her opinions — and why no one should discount her expertise because of her age. 

What do you get when you cross Ozzy Osbourne, a purple bathrobe, and BBQ? Mel Chmilar, Jr. The home-trained grill master and pit builder isn’t shy about his deadly meat creations or his daughter’s birthday bouncy house. He sat down with Dalstrong to talk about his family, his best hack for slaying every meat dish, and the coffin he keeps in his kitchen. 

Grill master, lover of life, and self-proclaimed “fat kid,” Chuck Matto is burning up social media with tips and recipes for everything BBQ related. (And he’s just started a journey into baking.) With a huge personality and a passion for spreading love, he’s become a favorite for foodies and novices alike. He sat down with Dalstrong to talk about his pet peeves, his favorite cooking hack, and why he puts family first.