Meet the Chef
Chef Chip - Carl L Huckaby II
Husband to Melissa Huckaby
Father to Zach Huckaby, Addison Huckaby, & Lucy Huckaby
The Prodigal Son of Carl L Huckaby CEC, CEPC, CCE, AAC & FMP
The Oldest Son of Leva Huckaby
Brother to Darrel Huckaby, Tracy & Kathy McDonnell, Chris Lee
Second Fiddle to the Family Pup, Romeo!
Carl L. Huckaby II (Chef Chip) began his career standing on five-gallon buckets alongside his father, Chef Carl L. Huckaby CEC, CCE, CEPC, AAC, FMP.
It was Chef Chip’s greatest advantage to learn beside his father, his mentor, in their family bakeries and restaurants. He stayed by his father’s side, learning the trade and committing himself to achieving goals of his own in the culinary arts.
He’s worked at beloved restaurants like the Hillview Country Club in Franklin, Indiana, the famed Chez Jean Restaurant Francais in Camby, Indiana, as well as the world-renowned Indianapolis Motor Speedway as Executive Chef of the Brickyard Crossing Golf Resort & Inn.
From there, he transitioned to helm at Barto’s Banquets and Catering at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. In coalition with owner John Barto, they redefined the image of “State Fair Food” and it was there that he and John would launch Food Guys Catering in January of 2014, providing a truly customized catering option for Central Indiana.
In December of 2015, John Barto and Chef Chip carried their talents back to the Southside of Indy to launch Hops & Fire Craft Tap House in Greenwood. With the ever-growing need for restaurant and catering crafted to provide quality to those with allergies and dietary concern, Chef Chip helped push the envelope at Hops & Fire Craft Tap House with its 4 custom full-service menus. Making it possible for Vegan, Vegetarians, & Gluten Free Diets to dine in normalcy with friends and family.
In 2019, Chef Chip joined his expertise with Keith Johnson at Smokehouse Catering Company to continue growing with each other and provide “Good Food Made Fresh.”
There they would expand and adjust to survive the COVID epidemic, while tailoring to meet the local needs.
In Late 2022, Chef Chip would create Creative Culinary Concepts, and branch out on his own. It is time to take everything he has learned and experienced with him, and create his own Culinary dreams. With this venture would come Smokehouse BBQ Steaks & Sweets, Chef Chip’s Mobile Food Services, & Chef Chip’s Catering & Events.
“Everyone deserves those happy moments. Everybody deserves good food made fresh!”
