This week we are celebrating dads by giving away what dad loves most – BBQ! We have had the honor and privilege of interviewing Ken Wolfe from Howling Wolf Gourmet Foods, who has enlightened us on us culinary BBQ perspective. If reading his story doesn’t make your mouth water for some delicious Father’s Day grilling, we aren’t sure what would! Please take the time to read about Howling Wolf and have the chance to win a BBQ combo pack with a bottle of the Howling Wolf Original BBQ sauce, Land & Sea Rub, and Dry Rub. Giveaway details are below.
Give us the one-minute bio of yourself.
I am a classically trained chef who has always had a passion for sauces, smoked foods, and BBQ. I started my career with a 3 1/2 year culinary apprenticeship in southern California, followed by two years of working as a chef in France. I spent most of my early career as a saucier, before moving up the ranks. Eventually I opened my own restaurant, Cafe Wyoming, in Dubois, Wyoming. At the Cafe, I featured my BBQ sauces and perfected my style of barbecuing. My ribs and sauce were mentioned in Jane & Michael Stern’s Roadfood 2005 edition. After six successful years, I sold the Cafe to focus on my sauces full time. I moved to Wisconsin five years ago and have been in the stores four years.
Tell us a little bit about how Howling Wolf BBQ got started?
I have always had a passion for BBQ growing up and as I progressed in the culinary field I was continually thinking of the possibility of starting a food line to eventually free me from the restaurant business. That line naturally became my own gourmet take on BBQ.
What inspires your BBQ flavors?
I love the diversity of flavors that the spice world offer. Combined with my passion for BBQ, I have been able to create some extra ordinary flavors that are both flavorful and very versatile. For example, My Cranberry Orange BBQ can be used as a glaze for Asian sweet and sour, and my original can be mixed with yogurt and takes on a middle eastern flavor.
Are you a gas or charcoal man?
At times gas is convenient but not only do I prefer charcoal but I prefer to make my own.
Describe your perfect BBQ meal.
I am always happy to devour a rack of perfectly smoked pork spare ribs but nothing beats a beautifully seasoned and smoked pork shoulder sandwich on a homemade roll topped with my homemade aged slaw and a good I.P.A.
How will you be spending your Father’s Day?
I will be doing something outside with my family most likely in the garden and it will most certainly end up with a nice dinner off the grill.
GIVEAWAY DETAILS
In order to win the Howling Wolf BBQ Combo Pack, visit the Howling Wolf website and check out the different products and recipes. Leave us a comment on this post telling us how you would like to use a Howling Wolf product to put a smile on dad’s face this Father’s Day.
For an extra vote – like Haute Apple Pie on Facebook and let us know you did!
You must enter your comment by Thursday, June 14, 2012 at 11 p.m. CST. The winner of the giveaway will be announced Friday, June 15, 2012 and will be chosen at random. You must be over the age of 18 to vote and live in the Continental United States.
Happy Father’s Day to all those awesome dads out there!
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Since my dad loves chicken on the grill, I’d bring some of Howling Wolf’s BBQ to slather on the chicken. Sounds delicious!
i want to make a bunch of Spicy Howling Wolf Bloody Marys
Nothing like grilling and beer in WI and since the parents don’t live in WI, they need to get the full experience. And for the next day, I bet the Spicy BBQ would make some killer Sloppy Joe’s.
Mmm, I can already taste it on a juicy slab of ribs! (insert drool here)
I just liked haute apple pie on Facebook! 🙂
My choice for using the Howling Wolf BBQ would be on a nice slab of baby back ribs – thanks for offering this chance of winning some
I am planning on first removing the rib membrane like a Ralphie from Christmas Story when he opened his Official Rough Rider Carbine Action 200-shot Range Model Air Rifle. Then, I’m going to rub the ribs down with mustard while singing “if you like it, then you should have put some yellow on it” followed by a Daddy Warbucks-like generous application of Howling Wolf Dry Rub. Finally, before putting the ribs in the smoker for a 6-hour rogering, I’ll add an @erikwheavey (twitter) patented layer of medium coarse Guatemalan (pronounced “what-tay-mah-lahn”) coffee grounds mixed with organic, free-range, grass-fed turbinado sugar. You’re welcome, Dad.
I also think I’ve “liked” Haute Apple Pie on Facebook since Stef was 4.
Points for creativity. I hope the Chief enjoys his Father’s Day!
The Howling Bloody Mary sounds like a great way to start Father’s Day! I also “liked” HAP on Facebook.
I think I’d LOVE to try the Howling Wolf Cranberry-Orange Sweet and Sour Chicken, but my dad would prefer the BBQ Sauce on grilled chicken. It’s great that you feature Wisconsin products on your blog.
I would use the Original Sauce on ribs, but the salad one the Howling wolf page looks delicious too. I’ve liked your page on facebook for a while, don’t know if that scores me an extra point?
I’m definately with the Blood Mary peeps! My husband, who is a dad and his dad and my own dad like experimenting with different kinds of sauces. We havent tried these!! Also, I’ve “liked” HAP for a while now!! Thank you!!
I’d use it on anything and everything on the grill, but for a low-key Father’s Day where we all get to enjoy each other’s company, I’d go with mixing some Howling Wolf BBQ sauce into my pulled pork, which feeds a crowd. And I already do like HAP on FB! 🙂
I would bring them with me on a trip visit to see my dad and so we can try them all out!
I love cooking outside in the summer time…and how great it would be to add this perfectly awesome BBQ sauce and rubs to all of my creations!!! I can’t wait to win you, BBQ basket!
The Howling wolf Cranberry orange BBQ sauce sounds great on grilled chicken.
Not being from Wisconsin originally, I am embracing the summer BBQing and Bonfire life style, and am loving it. I have discovered so many local businesses that make my summer better. Local breweries, wineries, butcher shops, farms, etc… It would be really sweet to add another. I would love to slather some beef ribs and pork chops with some Howling Wolf’s BBQ sauce and nominate my hubby to cook them up for our next neighborhood grill out!
Since I have declared this, “The summer of the grill”, I’d love to slather this over ANYTHING we throw on the BBQ! I also have liked HAP on fb. If I don’t win, Heavey should… If I win and he doesn’t, I’ll BBQ him a BNC branded steak marinated in Howling Wolf.
already a fan of Haute Apple Pie, and that is how I found you! I think that smoking a whole chicken on my Weber Charcoal Kettle with some spicy BBQ sauce at the end would be perfect…but then..why not start the day with Eggs and BBQ..what a cool idea! Thanks for the contest!. No Dad, no man at home. But I got Camp Dutch Ovens to use these products in!
I think I would make Grapefruit Avocado Pomegranate Salad with Howling Wolfe Cranberry Orange BBQ Sauce…favorite fruits and superhealthy for everyone!