Dan's Taste of Summer Countdown: Chef Arthur Wolf, Smokin' Wolf

Smokin’ Wolf chef/owner Arthur Wolf will be smokin’ hot at this summer’s Dan’s GrillHampton on July 22 at Fairview Farm in Bridgehampton. Top chefs will take sides as Team Hamptons competes against Team NYC in a one-of-a-kind cooking competition and tasting event. Enjoy the expertly grilled fare, beer and specialty cocktails, then be part of the action as you, and a judging panel of A-list palates, cast votes for the finest food of the night.

Wolf will also be on hand at Dan’s Taste of Two Forks presented by Farrell Building Company, which takes place the next day, Saturday, July 23, also at Fairview Farm at Mecox. The tireless Wolf will also be a part of Dan’s Papers newest Taste of Summer event, ClambakeMTK at Gurney’s Montauk, which premieres on Saturday, July 30. It will be the largest oceanfront food and drink fest ever to hit Montauk. Smokin’ Wolf BBQ & More, located on East Hampton’s Pantigo Road, is a summer go-to for Southwest-style barbeque to eat in or take out. And  their catering services are in high demand all season.

How does cooking with fire affect your mood?
I love fire, cooking with it makes my day adventurous.

What fuels your creativity as a chef?
Each season fuels my creativity. I’m always thinking of new ideas.

What’s your local beverage, or cocktail, of choice this season?
Montauk Brewing Company beer and making mojitos and margaritas with local ingredients.

Which of your dishes would you most like to serve to another chef?
Our Smokin’ Wolf Sampler; it has our signature ribs, chicken, corn bread and special corn.

What local ingredients do you use?
We use all local ingredients from Balsam Farms—lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, peppers. Everything we make and serve is made from scratch. We only use the freshest and most local ingredients.

What do you think of the Montauk Fishburger?
I haven’t experienced it yet but look forward to trying it.

How has the gluten-free eating trend affected your menu?
It hasn’t affected us that much because our barbeque sauce is gluten-free and we offer many other gluten-free items as well.

What are you most looking forward to at Dan’s Taste of Summer events?
Seeing all the different items the restaurants will be serving.

Please complete this sentence: I most feel like a well-fed caveman when I…
eat a nice big steak.

Please complete this sentence: My mother would not approve of my…
love for cooking with fire, but she would approve of my sense of taste and creativity.

I could survive on a desert island if I just had…
water, Diet Coke, steak and vegetables.

Who’s going to win the GrillHampton competition this year—the New York or the Hamptons team?
Hamptons, we’re very passionate about winning in our own town. We’ll do it again this year.

Dan’s Taste of Summer kicks off with Dan’s GrillHampton on Friday, July 22, and continues on Saturday, July 23, with Dan’s Taste of Two Forks presented by Farrell Building Company, both on the waterfront at Fairview Farm at Mecox in Bridgehampton. The oceanfront food and drink fest ClambakeMTK at Gurney’s Montauk premieres on Saturday, July 30.

Dan’s Harvest East End, the can’t-miss food and wine classic, is Saturday, August 20, at McCall Vineyard and Ranch in Cutchogue. For tickets and more information on all Dan’s Taste of Summer events, visit DansTaste.com! A portion of this year’s ticket proceeds from GrillHampton and Taste of Two Forks will benefit All For The East End (AFTEE), a 501(c)(3) that showcases and provides support to the more than 1,000 charity organizations in the five East End towns.