Dan's Taste of Summer Countdown: Chef Charles Grund, Hill Country Barbecue Market

Chef Charles Grund of Hill Country Barbecue Market, based in New York, will be heating things up at Dan’s GrillHampton on July 22 at Fairview Farm in Bridgehampton. Top chefs 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.

How does cooking with fire affect your mood?
It ignites me…

What fuels your creativity as a chef?
Feeding people great food, keeping it local fresh and clean

How has the nose-to-tail movement influenced your work?
I have always loved all the bits and pieces. I think the biggest influence has been how smart and adventurous the consumer has become. Having something like beef knuckle on the menu—and people have no problem ordering it.

What’s your favorite “off-cut” of meat?
I love sweet breads; headcheese, the chewy part in the pig’s foot. So good!

What’s your local beverage, or cocktail, of choice this season?
I’m super into the Wölffer Estate rosé cider…but when I’m feeling dirty, Kalimotxo: 3/4 red wine over ice with 1/4 Coke. Trust me, it’s a great summer drink.

Which of your dishes would you most like to serve to another chef?
Probably something with grits. I love grits. Also I find that chefs like to share simple foods as much as they enjoy more complicated ones.

How has the gluten-free eating trend affected your menu?
Not at all, most of our menu is naturally gluten-free.

What are you most looking forward to at the Dan’s Taste of Summer event?
In our busy chef lives we rarely get to connect with other friends in the industry. GrillHampton is a great time to touch base with great chefs.

Please complete this sentence: I most feel like a well-fed caveman when…
I’m eating American regional Chinese (you know sesame chicken, etc.)

I could survive on a desert island if I just had:
rice, eggs, grits, a whole pig, salt, chili flakes…all of the wine, most of the bourbon, maybe some water?

Who’s going to win the competition this year—the New York or the Hamptons team?
It’s how you grill your meat! Winning doesn’t matter…#NYCWINS.

Dan’s Taste of Summer kicks off with Dan’s GrillHampton hosted by Adam Richman on Friday, July 22, and continues on Saturday, July 23, with Dan’s Taste of Two Forks presented by Farrell Building Company hosted by Alex Guarnaschelli, both on the waterfront at Fairview Farm at Mecox in Bridgehampton. The oceanfront food and drink fest ClambakeMTK at Gurney’s Montauk hosted by Marc Murphy premieres on Saturday, July 30. Dan’s Harvest East End, the can’t-miss food and wine classic, hosted by Geoffrey Zakarian is Saturday, August 20, at McCall Vineyard and Ranch in Cutchogue. For tickets and more info 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. A portion of proceeds from Harvest East End benefits Long Island Farm Bureau and HRHCare.