406 BBQ

Stephen Kina

Instagram TikTok

From Big Sky to Big Flavor

Meet Stephen Kina of 406 BBQ

Aloha! My name is Stephen Kina, I am the owner of 406 BBQ. A catering and food truck company in Kalispell, MT. We have been open for 4 years and last year we got the opportunity to cater for the 150th Kentucky Derby. I love to bbq and be creative; doing things outside of the normal bbq tradition like blending asian and Polynesian flavors to traditional bbq.

Hometown:
Napa, CA
Favorite Recipe:
Right now, it’s roasted Dungeness crab with garlic butter, but ask me again in a week.
Fun Fact:
I was high school prom king!
Favorite Activity:
Spending time with my wife and daughter.

FAVORITE GRILL

Big Flavor, Bigger Grill

Masterbuilt Product of Choice

The Masterbuilt Gravity Fed XT is my go-to for rich, smoky taste and serious cooking capacity.

Learn more
A Gravity Series XT Grill and Smoker sitting outside on a paved patio in front of a landscaped bed of bushes and trees. The charcoal hopper and control panel are on the right side. The front shelf is folded down. The left side shelf is up with a spatula and grate lifter hanging from the bult-in utensil hooks, and a roll of paper towels is installed on the paper towel holder under the shelf.

Mastering the Grill: Q&A with Stephen Kina

What inspired you to start barbecuing? How long have you been doing it? Tell us how you got started!
I was inspired to BBQ from having my first bite of brisket. I absolutely feel in love with smoked meat, especially in Texas. I have been smoking meat since 2020 and started my catering business in 2021. I started my business because there was no bbq in Montana where I now reside.
What advice would you give to Someone new to grilling? do you have any advice for a new content creator in the BBQ space?
For someone new to grilling, don't be afraid to try new things. There are certain bbq "rules" that isn't set in stone such as flavor profiles and techniques to cook. Be creative and don't try to fit in the oversaturated box that bbq and content creating is currently in.
What is your favorite grilling technique that you've learned and why?
My favorite grilling technique is low and slow, traditional Texas style. That is what I first learned and that is what I built my business on so I keep it close to my heart.

Stephen Kina’s Favorite Recipes