A smoked pretzel experiment sparked by a friend’s question has grown into a full-time business for Ryan DeCheney of Holland.
When a friend asked whether he’d ever smoked hard pretzels, a lifelong passion for cooking (and a smoker he’d purchased the previous year) encouraged experimentation.
The result became Back 40 BBQ, which operates primarily at farmers markets and vendor shows statewide. The business is also expanding into retail options, with pretzels available at The Stave and Barrel at Holland Town Center.
“It’s really gained a lot of traction,” DeCheney told The Sentinel. “It’s become a thing and people are loving it, so we’re riding the momentum and going 100 miles per hour right now.”
Back 40 BBQ is truly a family business. DeCheney launched the endeavor with his wife, Holly, and their children — 15-year-old Kaylin and 8-year-old Lily — help with cooking and tasting.
At first, the family purchased pretzels at the store. Now, they’re going through enough product to order pretzels by the pallet — producing hundreds of pounds of special flavors at a time.
“We had friends and family try it and they said there was something to it,” DeCheney said. “We started experimenting with our garlic parmesan flavor and that developed into what we have today.”
The pretzels are first coated with a butter binder and smoked. After removal, they’re coated with seasonings and re-smoked.
The company’s name and mission are rooted in the family’s faith, including the prominence of the number 40. The family aims to build community and serve others.
Back 40’s current flavors include garlic parmesan, maple bourbon and white cheddar jalapeno, with a honey mustard variety in development.
“I’ve always wanted to get into the food industry,” DeCheney said. “I have a passion for food. It’s an artistic thing for me, and I love to experiment with flavors. My favorite thing in the world is when people try my food and I see their facial expression light up.”
Learn more at back40barbeque.com.
— Contact reporter Austin Metz at ametz@hollandsentinel.com.
This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Holland family turns smoked pretzel hobby into full-time business
Reporting by Austin Metz, Holland Sentinel / The Holland Sentinel
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By Austin Metz, Holland Sentinel | USA TODAY Network
