CHEFS & TASTEMAKERS BILLINGS

Crave! is where the best chefs and tastemakers from Billings and the region personally give you a taste of their latest masterpieces.

OUR TALENTED CHEF LINE UP

Don't miss the best of the Crave! NW culinary scene.

See who's participating this year!

National Chefs

Chef Adam Hegsted

Eat Good Group

Website - https://eatgoodgroup.com/

Proud to be an Inland Pacific Northwest native, Adam Hegsted graduated from Northwest Culinary Academy and Art Institute of Seattle. Previously, he was the executive chef of the Coeur d’ Alene Casino and Resort and is now the current owner of Eat Good Group featuring a wide array of restaurants including: baba Restaurant, Honey Eatery & Social Club, Yards Bruncheon, Le Catering Co,, Republic Kitchen + Taphouse, Good Foods,, Doughlicious Bakery, Eat Good Foods, Crave TV, Eat Like a Chef, Laughing Dog Brewery, and Eat Good Café. Adam is the Co-founder/Owner of Crave NW Food & Wine Festival and Share Farm.

Chef Aaron Fish

Eat Good Group

Website - https://eatgoodgroup.com/

Chef Aaron Fish began his culinary journey at the age of 14 in the heart of Marin County CA. “The first task I was ever given was to make 30 gallons of salsa” he reminisces. “30 gallons! I had never even used a chef’s knife before. It took me all shift, but I still came back the next day, and the day after that. I was hooked”

Since then, Chef Fish carved his culinary background in and around the Bay Area including Stark Reality Restaurants, Forks and Fingers Catering and Lococco’s Cucina Rustica before traversing to Spokane WA in 2009.

Joining Chef Adam Hegsted and Eat Good Group, Chef Fish now is the Chef de Cuisine for Eat Good Group in Spokane WA. “Our motto means a lot to me. Honest Food, Simply Served. It is the core of what it means to cook for me

Mary Parker

Honey Eatery

Mary Parker was raised in the culinary world from a young age. She grew up helping out at her parent’s small restaurant and bar in Post Falls, ID known to locals as Steve’s Sports Dugout, as a dishwasher and prep cook until her early teenage years. From there, she continued to obtain new knowledge by working for a variety of different local restaurants, including the Coeur d’Alene Beach House, Sweetwater Bakery, and the Falls Club.

From there, Mary went to work at the Coeur D’Alene Casino in Worley, ID at 17 years old. She worked mostly in the Red Tail Bar & Grill for 7 years, going from a prep cook to a lead line cook under Chef Adam Hegsted. Shortly after Chef Hegsted left the Casino life to start the Eat Good Group, Mary made the decision to join the team at the Gilded Unicorn in downtown Spokane, located in the basement of the Montvale Hotel in September of 2017. She is currently with the Eat Good Group, and prides herself on creating a menu consisting of a high end take on comfort foods using local and sustainable ingredients.

Chef Brian Duffy

Duffified Experience

Website: https://chefbrianduffy.com/

Born and raised in Philadelphia, PA, Chef Brian Duffy had his first experiences in the kitchen as a young child with his big Irish-Italian Family. Those experiences introduced him to culinary life and led him to study at Philadelphia’s The Restaurant School at Walnut Hill College. Culinary school may have taught him technique, but it was those Sunday nights cooking with his family where he developed his passion.

Duffy is perhaps most recognized from his abundant television appearances on the wildly popular Spike TV series Bar Rescue, where he tours the country (sometimes on his Harley Davidson) reforming failing bars and restaurants with his “tell it like it is” style. He made his on-camera debut on the Food Network series Date Plate and has appeared on countless segments on the DIY Network, HGTV, NBC, and Fine Living Network. Chef Duffy is also a regular to judge the Food Network series Beat Bobby Flay and has appeared on The Today Show since 2006 for the St. Patrick’s Day Irish cook-off. Chef Duffy even has his own line of signature spices, “Duffified Spice” as well as a line of T-Shirts, Kitchen aprons, Hats & chef driven Hand soaps which are all available on his website www.duffified.com.

Currently Duffy has collaborated with Rock Hard Media Group and created “Duffified Live” a travel show with an over the top approach to eating, drinking & traveling has taken off due to his attitude & stories from the road, the industry & his personal life & stories. When he isn’t with clients, taping or traveling he is working on his soon-to-be-released modern gastropub cookbook or hanging out with his family in the suburbs of Philadelphia.

Chef Tony Brown

Ruins

Website: https://www.exploretock.com/ruins-spokane

Chef Tony Brown's culinary journey began at Twigs before refining his skills at Luna and Mizuna for nearly a decade. In 2012, he ventured out on his own with Stella's, which later merged with Ruins, the brainchild he had long admired. Now, Ruins offers a fusion of Stella's Sandwich favorites alongside its own innovative menu, a testament to Tony's vision and passion for culinary excellence.

Chef Nick Liberato

The Borscht Belt

Website: https://theborschtbelt.com/

Cutting his teeth on culinary shows Bravo’s “Top Chef Masters” and Spike TV’s “Bar Rescue,” world-renowned experienced restaurateur, business mastermind and chef to the stars with over 28 years culinary experience, Nick Liberato takes on his next worldwide adventure as an expert on Netflix’s “Restaurants on the Edge,” (February 28th) when the 6-episode premiere season takes viewers to some of the world’s most spectacular locations: Malta, Hong Kong, Tobermory, Costa Rica, Austria, and St. Lucia on the edge -mountainsides, water, white beaches, and despite their outstanding views, need a push to live up to their magnificent views. In steps executive producer and co-creator Nick Liberato with his restaurant business expertise, alongside Chef Dennis The Prescott, and award-winning interior designer Karin Bohn, to breathe some life and take a bite out of these businesses to put them back on top and live up to their potential. “Restaurants on the Edge’ is a premium lifestyle docuseries that invites viewers into some of the world’s most stunning locations, with the team of experts, Restaurateur Nick Liberato, Chef Dennis The Prescott, and Interior Designer Karin Bohn as they not only transform the restaurants, but the owners’ outlooks as well. To do this, the close-knit, light-hearted team tap into the soul of the restaurant’s surroundings and communities, incorporating local tastes, flavors, and textures – remodeling in a way that is uplifting and sets the reinvigorated business and owners up for future success. Rising from humble culinary beginnings, to working at local food stands in South Philadelphia growing up with his family in the Italian Market, by age 11, Nick discovered his second love – surfing and snowboarding. Combining the two passions, Nick followed his love and while working at a local surf shop on the west coast, started his own catering company – Calidelphia – that led to him preparing meals for top celebrities including Will Smith, Tom Hanks, The Beastie Boys, Barbara Streisand, Anthony Kiedis, Cher, Hank Azaria, and more. It was through a connection with Michelin-starred chef and restaurateur, David Myers, that Nick learned he needed to truly dive into every aspect of the business in front and in back of house to become a true restaurateur himself, and that’s just what Nick did.

In just a few years, Nick’s catering business began to thrive and he acquired the long-time Venice fixture, the Venice Whaler. Struggling to move forward prior to Nick stepping in, he took the business at the Venice Whaler from a mere $300,000 in yearly sales to a whopping $4 Million in sales. Leading the charge as Executive Chef, Nick made a similar move with The Pier House, and continues to acquire, consult, and invigorate other businesses throughout Los Angeles and internationally with his expertise.

Chef Dan Gleason

Le Catering

Regional Chefs

Michael Partridge

Ten Northern Hotel

Website: https://northernhotel.com

I have worked at the Northern hotel for the last 2 years with an amazing team. Montana native, returned 10 years ago after 15 years in Oregon. Nothing beats Montana and its people. Come check us out, TEN at the Northern hotel!

Jason Marble

The Marble Table

Website: https://themarbletablemt.com

Jason Marble is the chef/owner of The Marble Table & Marble Coffee Co. He and his wife Jen opened The Marble Table November of 2020. The Marble Table is a James Beard Nominee for Best New Restaurant. The restaurant and chef have won numerous awards for excellence in our industry

Nick Steen & Chef John Baldwin

Walkers Grill

Website: https://walkersgrill.com

Megan Jessee

The Granary

Ryan Lopez

Website: https://hilton.com

Chef Ryan Lopez and Chef Cameron Daugaard are two leading chefs in the Billings area and work with the prestigious Montana Sky Restaurant in the Double Tree by Hilton

Brad Halsten

The Burger Dive

Website: https://theburgerdive.com

Brad Halsten is the owner and chef at The Burger Dive in Billings, Montana. Brad and his wife Andi opened The Burger Dive in 2010 and the place has continued to grow in popularity ever since. The Burger Dive has been named to national lists including being chosen as best in Montana twice by Business Insider on a list of best burgers in the U.S as well as in People magazine. The Burger Dive received mention from both Food and Travel and Northwest Travel magazines as the best burger in Billings, MT and was most recently being featured in food & wine magazine. The highlight for him competitively was being invited to compete in the Burger Bash at the 2014 Food Network Cooking Channel South Beach Wine and Food Festival. That evening ended with The Burger Dive being declared the winner of the Best of the Bash award and led to his burger being featured nationally by Red Robin. This also led to Brad being invited to judge the Best of the Bash Award for Red Robin at the 2016 Burger Bash. The Burger Dive won the Zoofari competition in Billings, qualifying for the 2016 World Food Championships where The Burger Dive was crowned World Burger Champion. Brad was joined on Team Burger Dive by his wife Andi, his son Brendan, and his father Gary. In 2017 The Burger Dive was featured on travel channels Man vs Food.

Mike Hernandez

La Taqueria Montana

Andrew Glynn

The High Horse Saloon and Eatery

Website: https://www.thehighhorsesaloonandeatery.com/catering

Meet Executive Chef Andrew Glynn, a culinary talent with a lifelong passion for the flavors of nature and a commitment to crafting dishes from the freshest, most natural ingredients. Hailing from the scenic landscapes of Michigan, Andrew's deep appreciation for the great outdoors and its abundant offerings has been a driving force in his culinary journey. Growing up in Michigan, he developed a profound connection to the bounties of nature, nurturing his culinary curiosity. After dedicating his time as a firefighter in Michigan, Andrew embarked on a soul-searching adventure that took him across the country, ultimately leading him to Montana. Here, he transitioned into the corporate world, managing five regional stores for Lucky's Market. However, the corporate life couldn't quell his passion for cooking, and he decided to take a bold risk to follow his culinary dream. In 2016, Andrew took his first step into restaurants as a prep cook at the High Horse Saloon. It was within this kitchen that he first tasted the sweet flavors of success. Since then there has been no turning back. Chef Andy is now the Executive Chef at the High Horse, and he oversees not only the culinary operations but also its diverse catering endeavors. Andy's journey is a testament to the unwavering support of his wife, Rachel, and the invaluable guidance from Reid and Shawna Pyburn. Their constant love and encouragement have been pivotal in his culinary accomplishments. Chef Andrew Glynn's story is one of passion, perseverance, and the pursuit of culinary excellence. His artistry brings the essence of Montana to every dish, leaving a lasting impression on all who savor his creations.

Daniel Santana

Website: https://www.carverss.com/

Daniel is married with Aline and both have a lovely family with three handsome boys. Daniel has been in the Brazilian "Churrascaria" (BBQ) for over 15 years. He has brought his home country style couzine to the USA and is a co-founder of Carverss Brazilian Steakhouse in Billings Montana.

Canon Gonzalez

On The Rocks

Jami Sem

The Back Porch Roundup

Website: https://www.thebackporchroundup.com/

Jami grew up in Great Falls, MT where she began cooking in the kitchen with her grandmother as soon as she was big enough to stand on a chair and reach the counter. In 2016, she began working at Dirty Oscar's Annex. The establishment had been featured in Diner's, Drive-In's and Dives and the head chef that Jami worked under had competed in Top Chef. From her experiences at Dirty Oscar's, she fell in love with the energy and chaos that takes place in a professional kitchen. Once Jami married and started her family, she moved to the family homestead in Roundup, MT where she found her way to the kitchen at The Backporch. It was not long before she worked her way up to Head Cook and Kitchen Manager. "I have always loved food and have a passion for it! I read cookbooks instead of romance novels. I love feeding people so that if, even just for a moment, they feel joy and forget about the craziness of life."

Parker Sasse

Bin 119

Jason Corbridge - Chef Stacie Zeiler

Buffalo Block

Website - https://www.buffaloblock.com/

Jason Corbridge has been cooking in Billings for 20 plus years. He has opened 5 restaurants, and is very much at home with Buffalo Block Prime Steakhouse in the old Rex Hotel building. His discipline has always been to nurture relationships with local providers, to cook from scratch, and to continue to educate himself about the hows and the whys. The Block is the first restaurant in 16 years that he has not opened and written the entire menu for, which, in his opinion, has provided more opportunity for him to learn than opening yet another establishment.

Stacie Zeiler is a little powerhouse and workhouse of a chef. She has been in the restaurant industry for over 12 years, managing, leading, and kicking ass. She has been running the broiler station at the Block almost entirely by herself for almost two years. She is resilient, incredibly hard working and always has a big smile, if she's not smiling you're probably in trouble.

Jason Haagenson

Granite Peak

Casey Erb

US FOODS

Casey Erb Has been the food fanatic chef at us foods for 6 years.He has extensive Experience in many aspects of food service and has been a member of the billings Chef community for many years

Josh Cannon

US FOODS

Pete Gatto

US FOODS

Peter O'Brien

Spitz Mediterranean Street Food

DESSERTS | SWEETS

Caramel Cookie

Poof Donuts

The Big Dipper Ice Cream

Tastemakers Non-Alcohol

Matthew Frick

Mazevo Coffee

A new concept of showing content in your web page with more interactive way.

Drew Danforth

Tractor Beverage

Kate Guerrero

CITY BREW COFFEE

Jerry Newhouse

Monin

BREWERIES

Laughing Dog

https://laughingdogbrewing.com/

Laughing Dog Brewing began as a dream in a small town in Northern Idaho in 2005. It has since turned into an insatiable desire to craft quality beers of all flavors.

Laughing Dog has brewed award-winning beers like our top-selling Huckleberry Cream Ale, local favorite 219 Pilsner, and Imperial IPA Alpha Dog. Our seasonal offerings bring gold-medal-winning Anubis Imperial Coffee Porter and Pecan Porter, as well as The DogFather and De Achtste Hond.

We believe craft beer creates community, and hope we can bring people together over beer in our taproom.

Icicle

Current Seltzers

A Strong Seltzer featuring fruity flavors.

Brick West Brewing

Summit Cider

Part of the Laughing Dog Brewing Company, Summit Cider uses locally sourced ingredients to craft its five ciders. For fruity notes, try its offerings made with apricot, pineapple or blueberries and raspberries.

Imagine Nation Brewing

Website: https://imaginenationbrewing.com