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The Provider Cookbook

Fish and Game Recipes for Eating Wild and Living Off the Land

Published by BenBella Books
Distributed by Simon & Schuster

About The Book

2022 NATIONAL INDIE EXCELLENCE AWARDS FINALIST — COOKBOOKS: GENERAL

“An ideal culinary resource replete with kitchen cook recipes for palate pleasing and appetite satisfying recipes…” —Midwest Book Review

Innovative wild game, fish, and fowl recipes for modern-day Providers: those who hunt, garden, cook, and live off the land

In our modern ways of cooking and eating, we’ve gotten out of touch with Mother Nature. Those who hunt, fish, and enjoy wild game know that we should always respect and cherish our food and where it comes from.

For hunter/chef Chad Belding and MMA star Chad Mendes, hunting and ethical farming are crucial ways to reinforce our connection to nature. In The Provider Cookbook, Belding and Mendes share recipes and stories to celebrate this way of life and keep it alive for generations to come. Here you’ll find everything from comfort-food classics to more refined cuisine, including:

  • Wild Game Stroganoff

  • Bear Bourguignon

  • Elk Pizza Meatballs

  • Korean Barbecue Venison Street Tacos

  • Wild Turkey and Dumplings

  • Mossy Pond’s Smother-Fried Quail

  • Duck Egg Rolls

  • Pulled Goose Barbecue Sandwiches

  • Seared Tuna Medallions

  • Cajun Fried Catfish Sandwiches

  • Brian’s Coconut Curry Halibut

    They also share tips for properly storing food, plus recipes for domestic meats and their favorite vegetable sides and sauces. Accompanied by gorgeous food and landscape photography, the recipes and stories in The Provider Cookbook will take you on a journey from field and farm to table.
  • About The Authors

    Chad Belding, born in Reno, Nevada, is a lifelong sportsman and outdoors enthusiast whose love of the lifestyle was instilled at a very young age by his father, who ensured that both Chad and his brothers were encouraged to evolve an appreciation of the outdoors at every turn. Chad’s passion eventually led him to predator and waterfowl hunting, and he later became involved in competitive duck and goose calling while attending college at The University of Nevada Reno. Following his graduation with a Bachelor’s degree, he put his background in business to good use, co-owning and operating several businesses across Nevada, Colorado, and Washington.

    In 2008, Chad founded Banded, a video production and merchandising company that specializes in hunting gear and accessories. That same year, he became a part of The Fowl Life, which is still airing on The Outdoor Channel. Chad started his podcast This Life Ain’t For Everybody in 2018, where he covers a wide assortment of themes and topics related to the outdoors. Always looking forward, Chad is also closely involved with The Provider, a new brand that will provide live workshops on dog training, hunting / shooting, and preparing your bounty. When he’s not hard at work or spending time with his family, Chad loves music, baseball, and boating, and is also a philanthropist working with several charities including Ronald McDonald House, Freedom Hunters, St. Jude’s, and Special Ops Excursions, amongst others.

    Chad Mendes was born and raised in central California, where wrestling, hunting and fishing were a huge part of his life growing up. He was recruited to wrestle at Cal Poly SLO, where his small town palette was introduced to a whole new world of cuisines. There he became a two-time NCAA D-1 All-American and runner up during his senior year. After graduating, he moved up to Sacramento and began his UFC career. Within his 10 years of fighting, he fought for the UFC world title three times, competing against opponents such as Conor Mcgregor and Jose Aldo. With hunting being such a huge part of his life still, he teamed up with Chad Belding of The Fowl Life to bring readers The Provider Cookbook, featuring their favorite recipes.

    Product Details

    • Publisher: BenBella Books (November 9, 2021)
    • Length: 264 pages
    • ISBN13: 9781637740224

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    Raves and Reviews

    """No one knows a connection to food better than a hunter. This book really showcases the bond between the tradition of hunting and the act of sharing an amazing meal with friends and family. It bridges the gap between food and the hunter's unique connection to the outdoors.""
    —Remi Warren, hunter, outdoor writer, and media personality

    ""Ready to eat like royalty? You'll find so many new favorites in The Provider Cookbook, you'll wonder how you were preparing wild game and domestic meats without it. This is the rare book that truly feeds body, mind, and soul.""
    —George Brett, MLB Hall of Fame baseball player for the Kansas City Royals

    ""Nothing is more rewarding than the feeling of preparing a meal literally from start to finish, with no ‘middle men.' We as providers have full ability to ethically hunt, farm, and cook our own food, and it seems too many people are forgetting this—kudos to Belding and Mendes for keeping tradition alive.""
    —Riley Green, country music superstar

    ""I've always loved the outdoors and sharing meals with family. This is so much more than just a cookbook!""
    Max Thieriot, actor

    ""Cooking is an art form, and Chad Belding and Chad Mendes understand that to their bones. Their passion shines through on every page of The Provider Cookbook.""
    Chad Ward, founder of Whiskey Bent BBQ Supply

    ""Feels almost weird to call this a cookbook because it's so much more . . . It's a tribute to a simpler time, to the ‘call of the wild,' and to amazing dishes that nourish not only our bodies, but the long-starved human spirit.""
    Clay Guida, fighter in the UFC Hall of Fame

    ""Filled with stunning photos and mouth-watering recipes, The Provider Cookbook is truly something to savor. The stories within will inspire everyone who appreciates traditional methods of acquiring and preparing food.""
    Cody ""No Love"" Garbrandt, former MMA Bantamweight Champion"

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