Murray Danyluk | Croix Valley Pit Crew | Alberta, Canada
Murray Danyluk | Croix Valley Pit Crew | Alberta
Instagram | murdawgsmeatkitchen Facebook | Murdawgs Meat Kitchen
This guy loves to cook for his family and friends and has turned a dreaded everyday question of, “Ugh, what are we going to have for dinner?” into a very excited and anticipatory, “Ohhhhh, what are we going to have for dinner!?” He spoils his wife with amazing meals and has ruined his children for future partners who may have limited cooking skills! Thankfully his kids are eager to learn from Murdawg!
Murray Danyluk, also affectionately known as “Murdawg” and “The Mur,” became a home cook when he decided to get healthy and keep his hands busy in other ways by quitting smoking 15 years ago…since the return of his taste buds there has been no looking back. However, his wife still has to contend with the incessant, “I’ve got some meat for ya!” so some things haven’t changed.
A lot of his meals are inspired by the food he grew up on. His mother is a great home cook and over the last few years he has been paying more attention to watching how she works her magic in the kitchen and learning how to make family favorite recipes and cultural food traditions. Over the last decade is where he started to explore different flavors and cooking methods, from the grill, to the stove top, to the sous vide, to the oven and most recently to the smoker.
Mur took up smoking all kinds of food in 2018. This is where he combined his home cooking repertoire with the world of slow and low to come up with meals that were creative yet packed with flavor! Starting out with the typical meats, he started making with all kinds of appetizers and even desserts on the smoker, he is always trying to think of, “How can I cook that on the smoker!?”
After connecting with other local BBQ enthusiasts, they realized his attention to detail, understanding of cooking techniques and flavor profiles and skills with timing that are critical. He was invited to join a competition BBQ team, which allows him to continue to learn and do what he loves…make amazing food and to be a part of the awesome BBQ community.
Often, he can be heard in the kitchen, “ohhhhhhh, that’s sooooo goooood!” “Whoooooo, that is like a bike ride through flavor town!” and “Oh my gosh…that just gave me a meat boner!” He also enjoys hunting and making his own sausage.
The Mur has turned his love of jerky into a great little side hustle through Murdawg’s Meat Kitchen and makes “meat fries.” And when he's not cooking up good eats he can be found on the couch after a good meal watching BBQ shows and cooking competitions to continually grow his knowledge and love for cooking.
