Returning for the fourth year, Mill Scale Metalworks is once again helping the festival run smoothly for our chefs and farmers. Founded by Matt and Caleb Johnson in Lockhart, TX, Mill Scale creates offset smokers and live-fire grills trusted by chefs worldwide.
Field Guide sat down with Matt for a quick Q&A – check out full interview at our blog:
Field Guide is lucky to have partnered with Mill Scale since year one of the festival in 2021! Why do you think that community events are important for the culinary scene in Austin?
Matt: Food brings people together in ways that just don’t happen in other situations. Sharing a meal with someone who comes from a different place and may think a different way provides common ground to celebrate the life and community that we all share together. There is power through food to make the world a better place.
What do you think is special about the BBQ in Central Texas and the chefs who prepare it?
Matt: Central Texas BBQ stands out because of its deep-rooted history. The region essentially sparked the BBQ tradition we cherish today. The combination of abundant beef, post oak wood, and honed techniques for smoking and preserving meat make it unique. But what truly sets it apart are the people behind the grills. The diversity, heritage, and craftsmanship they bring to the BBQ culture shape the rich flavors that define this art.
What fuels Mill Scale to continue to innovate and create for its chef and BBQ community?
Matt: The never-ending chase for knowledge and understanding of food,culture, people and cooking techniques.
Your new workshop and retail space in Lockhart has been open for a year now! How has the customer and retail experience changed for Mill Scale with your new space?
Matt: The biggest change is the ability to welcome visitors into our physical showroom. Now, enthusiasts can come see and touch the equipment up close, which helps them understand its quality and purpose. It’s also been incredible to be a part of Lockhart’s BBQ community. As the BBQ Capital of Texas, it’s an honor to contribute to the history and future of this town’s BBQ tradition.
Get to know them more by following their Instagram @mill.scale, or take a moment to visit Mill Scale’s new retail store and showroom in Lockhart.