Smokin’ Wolf BBQ Chef Dishes on Eating Local

East Hampton-based chef Arthur Wolf of Smokin’ Wolf BBQ and More notes that small-town living drew him to work on the East End. Wolf will be on-site at Dan’s GrillHampton on Friday, July 17, and Dan’s Taste of Two Forks on Saturday, July 18. Here, he talks about living in a close-knit community, his recommended dishes and his favorite local ingredients.

What are you most looking forward to about being part of Dan’s Taste of Summer this year?
The awesome upbeat atmosphere and seeing many local chefs come together for a great cause.

One food everyone should try at least once in life:
A Long Island duckling

What is the best pairing of food and Long Island beer? Long Island wine?
BBQ and Montauk Summer Ale; or local Peconic Bay scallops and Wölffer Rosé

If you were to eat at your restaurant as a guest, what would you order?
Smokin’ Wolf Sampler, which consists of ribs, chicken and our corn and cornbread.

Describe the adrenaline of working in a Hamptons kitchen.
It’s fun, competitive and exhausting. But it makes you feel alive.

What drew you to work on the East End?
Small-town living

The perfect drink for a summer night:
A glass of Smokin’ Wolf’s Lemon-Rosemary Sangria, garnished with local strawberries

Food that defines summer on the East End:
Local seafood and summer garden vegetables

If you had two forks in your hands right now, what would you like to stick them in?
A BBQ meat platter with brisket, chicken, pork, sausage, ribs, cornbread, coleslaw and beans

Favorite East End-inspired meal?
Going to a farmers market and picking out your meal

What is your favorite local ingredient?
Summer corn and tomatoes

What is your favorite aspect of being part of the culinary culture on the East End?
The culinary life out here is like a tight-knit family. When you see other chefs out in public they are always very nice and talkative.

When you hear the phrase “local,” what comes to mind?
Driving around the Hamptons and seeing local farmers and fishermen harvesting

Where do you find inspiration?
Inside and outside of the kitchen, I watch a lot of cooking shows and read a lot of cookbooks and cooking magazines.

If you were to pack a meal for the beach, what are three things you’d bring?
Bottle of water, protein salad and a sweet dessert.

A great meal always begins with…
Good friends and family.

Dan’s Taste of Summer kicks off with Dan’s GrillHampton on Friday, July 17, and continues on Saturday, July 18, with Dan’s Taste of Two Forks, both at Sayre Park, 156 Snake Hollow Road, Bridgehampton. Dan’s Harvest East End, the can’t-miss food and wine classic, rounds out the trio of events on August 22 in Cutchogue. For more information on all three events, including tickets and VIP packages, visit DansTaste.com.

Smokin’ Wolf BBQ, 199 Pantigo Road, East Hampton. 631-604-6470, smokinwolfbbq.com