Houston's barbecue scene is set to sizzle with news that top pitmaster Willow Villarreal is set to join forces with the acclaimed Killen's empire. In a move that has set tongues wagging among meat connoisseurs, Villarreal and his partner Jasmine Barela have taken their culinary talents to Killen's Barbecue and Killen's Steakhouse in Pearland, respectively.
After making a name with the delectable smoked meats and sides at Willow's Texas Barbecue, the duo had a stint at J-Bar-M Barbecue before Villarreal decided to reach out to Killen's when he saw a hiring post. Joining the renowned team, the self-taught pitmaster is aiming to learn the ropes of running a high-volume operation from Ronnie Killen's successful group. "We’re both self-taught. Getting in there and gaining knowledge is key," Villarreal told CultureMap.
Killen, the mastermind behind the group that includes multiple steakhouses, barbecue joints, and other concepts, believes in mutual learning. "If there’s anything you can do to better us, we’re all for it," Killen stated, according to the CultureMap. Villarreal is currently being schooled in Killen's procedures by veteran pitmaster Manny Torres and is expected to split his time across locations, including Minute Maid Park.
However, the story of Villarreal doesn't end here. Prior to joining Killen’s team, Villarreal, alongside his partner, was planning a brick-and-mortar project in Houston's East End neighborhood. Their dream: transforming a 1922 Italian grocery into a local culinary haven. While barbecuing is in their DNA, the pair envisioned a neighborhood restaurant with a diverse menu including burgers, sandwiches, and Barela’s famed sides. “We love this area,” Villarreal said in statement obtained by the Houston Chronicle. Design reporters got their number, and the buzz began about how the couple play to grow their food project into a destination despite not being on a major thoroughfare.
The aspirations to open their own restaurant are still baking in the background. Ronnie Killen, who has faced the heat and come out successful, especially through the pandemic, has offered to guide Villarreal through the kneading process of setting up a restaurant. "If you want to open a restaurant, I can show you what you need to do and how to do it," Killen generously offered, as per CultureMap. With a track record of opening two restaurants during the pandemic without a shutdown, Killen’s support spells a meaty future for Villarreal's aspirations.
