The scent of sizzling steaks filled the air on July 14 at the picturesque Wray Family Ranch near Irricana, where renowned grill experts Maddie and Kiki Longo showcased their culinary prowess to a group of visitors during a farm-to-table tour organized by Canada Beef.
Named among North America's top 10 grill experts and featured in Forbes magazine, the Longo twins arrived at the Wray Ranch in northeast Rocky View County from Port Hope, Ontario to captivate attendees with their exceptional barbecuing skills in a live grilling demonstration.
As the twins explained their genesis as barbecuing professionals, they were the classic story of adults being in day jobs they despised before taking a leap of faith.
"We thought we had done the responsible thing by going to university, majoring in some 'realistic' major, and then finding jobs in our field," Longo said. "However, 10 years into working jobs that lacked creativity and joy, we discovered that the only thing we were responsible for was our own unhappiness."
The Longos' decision to follow their dreams led them to quit their jobs, determined to turn their passion for barbecue into a profession.
But the path to success wasn't linear, and nor was it a walk in the park.
"Going after our dreams meant waking up at 5 a.m. every day, getting dressed to sit in our home office and send off countless emails, doing free BBQ gigs, free speaking engagements – free everything," Kiki said. "We worked for free for months after we quit, living off of savings and our will to never give up."
The duo's dedication and perseverance eventually paid off when they began making a name for themselves in the grilling world.
"Eventually, the paid work started rolling in once our name and reputation for being professional and reliable started taking shape," Longo said. "It was a long road to get to where we are today, and we have learned there are no tips or secrets to success. Working hard and never giving up – no matter who tells you you should – are the only tips you need to live your own dreams."
The twins' passion for barbecue isn't just limited to their Grill Studio, where they teach classes both in person and virtually.
"Many people think owning a restaurant is the only way to be in the BBQ industry, but there are many ways to share your passion for BBQ," they explained.
Their versatility in the field was evident as they began to accrue BBQ consulting gigs, sponsor digital content creation opportunities, and produce barbecue television segments on morning TV shows across the globe.
During their stay at the Wray Ranch, which coincided with a trip to Calgary for the Stampede, the Ontario twins were charmed by the warm reception they received from those watching their demo.
"Our first Calgary Stampede experience was everything we hoped it would be and more! We couldn’t get over the extremely friendly atmosphere, from locals saying hello everywhere we went, to our cab driver sharing his perspective on the Yeehaw versus Yahoo debate. We thoroughly enjoyed the true Canadian hospitality," Longo said.
Maddie and Kiki called their visit to the renowned Wray Ranch near Irricana, the recipient of this year's prestigious Environmental Stewardship Award, as a highlight of their time in Alberta. Fascinated by the science of raising Alberta beef, they appreciated the ranch's commitment to sustainable ranching practices.
"We were able to see exactly what goes into raising Canadian beef, one of our favourite proteins to smoke and grill," Maddie said. "We toured the ranch’s pastures and enjoyed learning about the soil nutrients and the amount of time the animals graze."
Longo said their debut experience at the Calgary Stampede was nothing short of unforgettable. After competing in the Kitchen Theatre, the twins joined local BBQ enthusiasts to watch a mechanical bull competition.
As their visit to Alberta and Rocky View County concluded, Maddie and Kiki expressed their eagerness to return to the Wild Rose province, promising even more culinary delights for BBQ aficionados.
Their journey from ordinary day jobs to becoming celebrated grill experts serves as a testament to the power of passion and perseverance, inspiring others to follow their dreams and carve – or grill – their own path to success.
