My journey in the outdoors started over 3 decades ago, right here in Southwest Missouri. In the form of a wobbly two year old, a fishing pole as long as I was, a small tackle box, a box of worms and an ever so patient grandfather. As I grew and we fished, those times paved the way for my love of Jesus and everything outdoors. I spent many a day riding to the local fishing spot in that old blue 81 custom deluxe short bed chevy that my grandpa “Papa” bought specifically for us to go fishing in. As the years have gone by the gear has changed, fishing holes have come and gone as well as the people I have shared it with. One thing will always remain though, the foundation that was laid in those early days paved the way to my deep love for God’s creation as well as the creator Himself.
| I’m a born and raised native of Springfield Missouri. I have a small two bedroom home on the edge of the city with my 8 year old daughter Alinea aka Turkey Bird. Aside from my love for Jesus, she is where my heart will always be. Being a father now, I think back to those early days and cherish the ability to pass along the same love and foundation to my daughter. Where I go, she pretty much goes too. I also have a large passion for cooking and being a Chef. I’ve cooked in some form or another my entire life but really became passionate about it in my early 20’s. I had had many cook jobs leading up to then but in 2013 I decided to go to culinary school at a local technical college here in Springfield. Many things had happened in the previous years and it had become time for me to nurture a gift I knew the Lord had given me. |  |
In 2016 I graduated school in May and in June I started with a contract food company as an Executive Chef for the dining facility at a nearby university. Over the years I have learned many different skills and techniques that have helped along my outdoors journey. However, it hasn’t been until recently that I really began focusing on merging my career as a Chef and my passion for hunting, fishing and foraging. I love to test and try new recipes, come up with ways to simplify meals and just about anything else that could involve cooking and/or the outdoors. Alinea and I hunt a variety of game from squirrels and rabbits to Whitetail and Turkey. We also love to fish for crappie, walleye and particularly love catfishing. Whether it be light gear on a spinning rod or running bank lines, chasing cats is among our favorites for sure.
If we are blessed to harvest game animals, we are a true trigger to table family. I am very adamant on processing everything ourselves. I was taught from a very young age that this is where the majority of people get lost when it comes to not liking wild game meat. As I’ve moved through my adult life and career as a Chef, I have learned this to be absolutely true. Proper handling, aging if appropriate and fabrication are essential. And if not done, it puts it at a great disadvantage before any cooking even begins. Cooking wild game can be tricky at times but is extremely rewarding. It’s a great thing to know exactly what is in the food you provide your family as well as where it came from.
The only thing I can say I love as much as what I have mentioned above, is sharing such with others. As God unfolds this new journey of combining my career as a Chef and passion for the outdoors, I look forward to sharing all that I can with others. Whether it be recipes, cooking techniques, butchering processes, foraging the great outdoors or anything else, I’m excited for this opportunity to explore yet more gifts the Lord has placed in my life.
If we are blessed to harvest game animals, we are a true trigger to table family. I am very adamant on processing everything ourselves. I was taught from a very young age that this is where the majority of people get lost when it comes to not liking wild game meat. As I’ve moved through my adult life and career as a Chef, I have learned this to be absolutely true. Proper handling, aging if appropriate and fabrication are essential. And if not done, it puts it at a great disadvantage before any cooking even begins. Cooking wild game can be tricky at times but is extremely rewarding. It’s a great thing to know exactly what is in the food you provide your family as well as where it came from.
The only thing I can say I love as much as what I have mentioned above, is sharing such with others. As God unfolds this new journey of combining my career as a Chef and passion for the outdoors, I look forward to sharing all that I can with others. Whether it be recipes, cooking techniques, butchering processes, foraging the great outdoors or anything else, I’m excited for this opportunity to explore yet more gifts the Lord has placed in my life.