The Smokehouse Kings Debut at Chef Celebration
May 7, 2014
Introducing the Smokehouse Kings, San Diego Barbecue Labs.
The Smokehouse Kings is a new collaboration brought to you by the folks at Carnitas’ Snack Shack Restaurants. Chefs Ivan Muñoz and Max Bonacci of Carnitas’ Snack Shack have teamed up to bring San Diego the very best of their barbecue, sausages, cured and smoked meats, rubs, sauces, pickles and condiments. You may have seen the name popping up here and there on menus, well now it’s official!
Chef Ivan Muñoz’s cooking style is uniquely San Diegan, blending the area’s diverse cultural influences with family tradition. Muñoz grew up looking over his father’s shoulder in the kitchen. Coming from Lake Tahoe to San Diego, Chef Muñoz developed his love for all things barbecue at Kings Inn, Kensington Grill, Cucina Urbana and Carnitas’ Snack Shack.
Chef Munoz’s smoked rib guajillo chili was awarded “Best Overall” in San Diego’s 2013 SONO Chili Cook-Off.
Chef Max Bonacci is revered for his creative work with smoked and cured meats at The Linkery, El Take It Easy, and now, Carnitas’ Snack Shack restaurants. Bonacci’s strong passion for smoking and cooking foods “outside the kitchen” came to him at a very young age.
“We’d have family parties in upstate NY, on my family’s vineyard,” explains Bonacci. “It would be a site to see — cooking a three-hundred pound hog on a custom spit roaster. I was about five years old when I first watched, and my interest just grew and grew.”
Living in sunny San Diego creates a perfect space for Bonacci to experiment and perfect his “outside cooking” skills. As Chef Bonacci says, “Smoking creates happiness…”
The Smokehouse Kings will offer unique cured meats and seafood, catered barbecue throughout San Diego county and custom smoking services for the restaurant industry. Be on the lookout for Ivan’s BBQ Sauce at local retailers soon!
Sunday, May 4, 2014 – They’ll be serving up Smokehouse Kings baby back ribs at the 4th Annual Chef Celebration Artisan Food and Craft Beer Festival, hosted this year at Stone Brewing World Bistro and Gardens in Liberty Station. The Dish ––
Smokehouse Kings baby back ribs / Ivan’s BBQ sauce / bacon potato salad
About the Artisan Food and Craft Beer Festival
Cuisine for a cause! Enjoy small-bite dishes created by local chefs from outstanding eateries, all paired with amazing craft beers. All pairings by “Certified Cicerone” and Stone Brewing Co. Craft Beer Ambassador Dr. Bill Sysak. In addition to enjoying a sumptuous repast, you’ll be helping to raise money for a special scholarship fund provided by Chef Celebration Foundation of San Diego.
About Chef Celebration
Chef Celebration Foundation of San Diego is a nonprofit organization that strives to enhance the knowledge and potential of promising young chefs and lay a foundation of excellence for San Diego’s culinary future. Every year, Chef Celebration holds a series of dinners featuring teams of award-winning local chefs who donate their time and talents to raise funds for an annual scholarship program. Visit their website chefcelebration.org for more information.