Wayne Schafer facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Wayne Schafer
|
|
|---|---|
Wayne Schafer, Big Fat Daddy's
|
|
| Born | August 28, 1963 Baltimore, Maryland
|
| Occupation | Barbecue Pitmaster |
| Employer | Big Fat Daddy's |
| Known for | Baltimore Pit Beef and Dry Rub Seasoning |
| Spouse(s) | Cindy Fahnestock-Schafer |
Wayne Mark Schafer (born August 28, 1963) is a famous barbecue chef, known as a pitmaster, from the East Coast. He owns Big Fat Daddy's, a business that runs food stands at events and offers catering.
Wayne is a member of the Kansas City Barbeque Society, a group for barbecue lovers. His business has been featured in over 100 articles and on national TV shows. Rachael Ray Magazine even wrote about Big Fat Daddy's for its amazing beef in Maryland. Many people see Wayne as an expert on special dry spice rubs and a type of barbecue called Baltimore Pit Beef.
Wayne also became well-known for his Maryland Crab Dip served in a bread bowl. This dish appeared on the TV show Food Network's Carnival Eats in both its first and second seasons. In 2015, Big Fat Daddy's was named a "Made in America Factory Tour Stop" in York, Pennsylvania. This happened when his business was added to the Southern Food and Beverage Museum.
Contents
The Story of Big Fat Daddy's
Wayne Schafer learned about the festival food business from his stepfather in the late 1970s. He worked for a food company called Roban Foods. After high school, he started his own company, J&W Foods, while also working in restaurants in Baltimore.
At first, Wayne sold carnival foods like Italian sausage, pizza, and onion rings. Later, his menu grew to include many different sandwiches and drinks. Wayne wanted to offer something better than the greasy sandwiches often found at fairs. So, he started trying out different ways to cook beef.
Wayne used his experience to create a new business called Big Fat Daddy's. This business still worked at fairs and festivals. But now, beef and barbecue were the main attractions. Wayne and his brother even opened a small pit beef restaurant. It was in a roadside shack on Route 40 in Baltimore. This area was famous for its pit beef stands.
The Schafer brothers became well-known for their unique dry rub seasoning. They also cooked their pit beef over hardwood at very high heat. Saveur Magazine wrote that this style of beef was Baltimore's own version of barbecue. Later, author Steven Raichlen shared the basic recipe for their dry rub in the New York Times. Raichlen featured Big Fat Daddy's recipes many times in his Barbecue Bible cookbooks.
Wayne Schafer has spoken about wanting food vendors to "go greener." He also talks about barbecue on social media. After many years in Baltimore, Big Fat Daddy's moved its main operations to Manchester, Pennsylvania in 2012. Wayne now supports catering and food stands in eight states. He also teaches cooking classes and makes special appearances.
A Place in History: Museum Exhibit
In November 2014, Big Fat Daddy's was honored by being added to the Southern Food and Beverage Museum (SOFAB). This museum is in New Orleans, Louisiana. It's part of a special exhibit called the "Trail of Smoke and Fire." The museum recognized Wayne Schafer for his important contributions to Maryland's pit beef and dry rub cooking history.
The museum displays Wayne's old Pit Beef Sign and a vintage meat slicer. These items are from his first pit beef stand from around 1982.
On Television
Food Network Shows
Wayne Schafer's "Crab Dip in a Bread Boule" recipe was shown on the Cooking Channel's Carnival Eats. This happened in the first season, on an episode that aired on August 25, 2014. In the show, Wayne taught host Noah Cappe how to make his famous Maryland recipe. The episode was filmed in Vienna, Virginia. Wayne based the recipe on one from his mother, who was from Salisbury.
Wayne was invited back to Carnival Eats for a second time. He was featured for his "Colossal Got Beef Crabcake Sandwich." This episode aired on September 10, 2015. This amazing crab cake had Wayne's famous pit beef on top. It also included bacon, cheddar, provolone cheese, and crab dip. This episode was filmed at the Brandywine Strawberry Festival in Pennsylvania.
ABC News Appearances
Wayne Schafer has also appeared on ABC TV stations. He often supports local fairs where he has worked for many years. In June 2017, he was a guest on Washington D.C.'s ABC 7-WJLA morning show. He served his pork barbecue and talked about the Celebrate Fairfax! Festival. In the same month, he was on ABC News 27-WHTM. He spoke about the 89th annual Jubilee Day in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania.
Hogging Up BBQ Festival
Wayne Schafer helped organize and promote the Hogging Up BBQ & Music Festival. The first festival was held in 2013 in Clear Brook, Virginia. It helped raise money for four different non-profit groups. This festival is also approved by the Kansas City Barbeque Society.
The festival happened again in 2014 in Clear Brook, Virginia. That year, it helped the local SPCA animal shelter. It also included a backyard barbecue contest and a car show.
Factory Tour Stop
Big Fat Daddy's was named a 2015 York, Pennsylvania Factory Tour Stop. This was by the York Convention and Visitor's Bureau. Visitors can take a mini-tour of Wayne's Pitmaster Facility. They can also see his collection of grilling items. Wayne announced that part of the money from each tour admission would go to support the Bell Family Shelter.
Trademarks
Wayne Schafer and his wife own several trademarks. These include trademarks for "Got Beef?®" products like cups and mugs. They also own trademarks for "Got Beef?®" on clothing, such as T-shirts, hoodies, and hats. Another trademark is for spice rubs.
Wayne also owns the rights to the hashtag #BFD when it is used for marketing.
About Wayne's Life
Wayne Schafer started working for his parents' food business, Roban Foods. This experience helped him start his own company after high school. Wayne went to Towson High School and grew up in the Towson and Rosedale areas of Baltimore County.
While running his first company, J&W Foods, Wayne also worked at many restaurants in Baltimore. At one point, he thought about changing careers. He got his Commercial Driver's License and worked as a truck driver for a short time. But he didn't like being away from his family for so long.
Wayne's family dedicates Mother's Day to raising money for the Bell Socialization Services' family shelter in York, Pennsylvania. Wayne also created a scholarship for Kenwood High School. This scholarship was in memory of a young teen he had never met, to help raise awareness about railroad track safety.
Wayne is a big fan of the Baltimore Orioles baseball team and the Baltimore Ravens football team. He enjoys cooking for fun. Even though he is a lifetime member of the Kansas City Barbeque Society, he doesn't compete in contests because his work schedule is very busy. He also enjoys fishing and boating.
Wayne Schafer has three children from earlier marriages. He lives in Baltimore, Maryland, and Danforth, Maine. His third wife is Cindy Fahnestock-Schafer, who is also an artist and author.
