Our Background

Clayton McDaniel was raised in Big Sky Country just outside Billings. He knew from the age of 16 that his passion in life was to become a chef—to make people happy and create memorable times through food! He worked mornings at Great Harvest Breads and nights at Ciao Mambos Italian Restaurant while attending Flathead Community College where he studied under Howard Karl and Hillary Ginepra. After graduating, he was offered a position at The Buttes Marriott Resort in Tempe working under Executive Chef Gregory Weiner. After several seasons honing his craft in Arizona, it was time to come closer to home. He leased and ran Backwoods BBQ in West Glacier where he enjoyed getting to meet and cook for people from all over the world.

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