What do you think of when someone says “Montana cuisine?”
Many born-and-raised Montanans may say locally-raised beef, wild game, huckleberries, or, for kicks and giggles, the notorious Rocky Mountain “oysters.” If you haven’t heard of this quirky dish, give it a quick Google, and you’ll never forget it.
For the most part, we’re a state that keeps its dishes simple, straightforward, and welcoming, much like our people. We like our meats well-roasted and savory, our fruits and vegetables bright and flavorful, and our carbs warm and comforting. Like the plate of steak and fries with a fresh salad on the side that you find in most Montana restaurants, we’re people who know what we like and stick with it.
Of course, there’s nothing wrong with our approach to food. But to make a dish go from standard to standout, you’ve got to look at it through fresh eyes. That’s what Chef Steve Kuntz, Executive Chef Nikki Dupre, and the culinary team at Feast Raw Bar & Bistro set out to do the second they opened their doors in 2015.
The Feast team takes the words “Montana cuisine” seriously, seamlessly blending the staples our region knows and loves with global flavors and elevated techniques. The result: a completely signature gastro experience that can only be described as Montana food fusion.
Curious about what that looks like and how the Feast team reaches such stunning and delicious plates? Let’s dig in (literally).
What “Montana Cuisine” Means at Feast
When asked what “Montana food” means to him, he laughs and says, “It’s so simple. It’s steak and potatoes. It’s hamburgers.” According to Chef Kuntz, owner and general manager at Feast, Montana cuisine starts at our roots: the cowboy. Ranching and the cowboy chuckwagon tradition are huge parts of Montana’s culinary mythos, so hearty meats and no-nonsense dishes are a must. When building Feast’s menu, Chef Kuntz knew he had to have a great steak on there. This is Montana, after all—a place that runs on beef and potatoes. Even with a diverse menu and being well-known as a premier seafood restaurant, Feast wanted to honor those core comforts that satisfy the meat-and-potatoes crowd.
Montana diners generally know what to expect when they go out to eat: a base of savory meat, potatoes or bread, and maybe some local vegetables on the side. At Feast, Chef Kuntz embraces that foundation. Guests can always find those familiar elements like top-quality locally raised beef, hearty sides, and familiar seasonings. As Chef Kuntz jokes, the typical Montana flavor profile is “very basic stuff with salt and pepper and butter, maybe parsley if you want something green (but you don’t eat it).” In other words, Feast respects the straightforward simplicity that Montanans love. Every dish starts with that down-to-earth, satisfying Montana food essence.
Then Chef Dupre and the team elevate it from there.
The Twist: Taking a Global Plate to the Treasure State
Here’s where Feast’s Montana food fusion kicks in. Chef Dupre and the Feast team love to take those simple, solid Montana staples and give them a bold twist using flavors from around the world. They’re always finding new ways to “spin the salt and sugar game on its head,” as Chef Kuntz puts it.
What does that mean? It means your steak and potatoes might come with a zingy fruit reduction sauce, or your roasted veggies might get a dash of Southeast Asian flair. The chefs aren’t shy about borrowing ingredients and techniques from global cuisine to surprise and delight your palate, all while keeping the food healthy and balanced. A splash of fish sauce and garlic to deepen the savory notes, a sprinkle of African spice blend for heat, or an authentic Thai, Vietnamese, or Argentinian sauce to brighten things up (hello, chimichurri!) can elevate a familiar Montana dish into something wonderfully unexpected.
For example, one longtime Feast menu item transforms a humble beef-bone soup into a vibrant international experience. It starts with a rich broth made from local Montana beef bones–nothing unusual there–and features tender Montana-raised pork. Then the twist: that comforting stock is infused with ginger, Thai basil, cilantro, and other Southeast Asian flavors. The result is a bowl that eats like a cozy, all-American beef soup but carries the aromas of a Vietnamese pho. It’s still a hearty, working-man’s meal at heart (nothing too “scary” for traditionalists), but it’s also bold and exciting. Diners can even customize their bowl with as many of the herbs and add-ins as they want, stepping as far outside the Montana mold as their taste buds dare to go.
Another dish might feature the catch of the day—say, fresh Alaskan halibut, a fish most Montanans are perfectly comfortable with—and present it in a new light. The Feast culinary team could plate that halibut over fragrant jasmine rice with a silky coconut-lemongrass curry sauce. Suddenly, a staple seafood dinner is layered with tropical Southeast Asian notes, turning it into a sophisticated dish that’s both approachable and adventurous. In each case, Feast takes something familiar from the Treasure State and gives it a global spin, creating a best-of-both-worlds fusion on the plate.
Local Farms & Purveyors: the Constant Tie to Montana Food Roots
Even as Feast plays with global flavors, the kitchen stays firmly grounded in Montana through its dedication to local farms and purveyors. The menu at Feast is largely defined by what’s fresh and in season here at home.
Chef Kuntz is a big believer in supporting the community by sourcing ingredients from nearby ranches, farmers, and foragers. This not only means the food is super fresh and seasonal, but it also ensures that every bite has a genuine connection to Montana’s land and people. The offerings at Feast change and evolve throughout the year based on what local producers are harvesting, keeping the restaurant true to its Montana food roots no matter what creative direction the flavors take.
Some of Chef Kuntz’s favorite Montana-sourced ingredients to work with (and why he loves them) include:
- Montana Beef: It’s hard to get more Montana than a juicy, locally raised steak. The beef from area ranchers is exceptionally high quality and packed with flavor. The Feast culinary team loves featuring Montana beef because it honors the state’s ranching heritage and satisfies that hometown craving for tender, savory perfection.
- Farm-Fresh Veggies: Montana’s growing season may be shorter, but our local farmers still produce incredible vegetables and greens. From sweet summer corn and heirloom tomatoes to hearty root vegetables and squash in the fall, Chef Kuntz enjoys incorporating whatever is fresh from nearby farms.
- Wild Fruits & Berries: Montana’s wilderness offers some special treasures, like huckleberries, raspberries, and chokecherries, to name a few. The Feast team finds creative ways to use these bold, local flavors in everything from sauces to desserts.
By partnering with local purveyors and showcasing Montana-sourced ingredients, Feast ensures that even the most globally inspired dish has its foundation in the Treasure State.
Beloved by Locals: Surprise and Delight in Every Bite
Feast’s unique take on Montana cuisine doesn’t just intrigue visitors from out of town; it’s beloved by locals. Feast’s dishes are renowned for surprising and satisfying at the same time, a rare combination in the food scene.
One thing that often delights first-time guests is Feast’s commitment to authentic flavor. The culinary team isn’t interested in watering down bold spices or global recipes to play it safe. If a dish is inspired by Thai or Indian cuisine, they’ll use the real curry paste or the proper masala spice blend, not a toned-down version. Diners can taste that genuine character.
At the same time, the team is careful to respect the integrity of the ingredients. As Chef Kuntz says, “You want the steak to taste like steak. You want the halibut to taste like halibut.” The goal isn’t to mask the local meat or fish, but to enhance it. This balance between staying true to the main ingredient and embracing big, authentic flavors from abroad is what makes a meal at Feast so memorable. You get the comfort of something familiar and hearty, and the thrill of something new, all in one bite.
Another factor that surprises and delights people is the way flavors are layered so thoughtfully. Feast’s team of culinary wizards has true skill and years of training in building dishes that hit multiple notes yet feel harmonious. You might notice a Moroccan spice rub peeking through on a lamb special, or a sprinkle of fresh herbs that gives a pop of brightness to a rich stew. Many guests have commented that the flavor pairings at Feast are so well balanced, each bite feels intentional and crafted. It’s the kind of cooking that can be as warm and comforting as a grandmother’s hug, even when it introduces an exotic spice you’ve never tried.
Let’s Look at the Menu
A creation that Chef Kuntz often points to as the epitome of “Treasure State to Plate” is Feast’s Montana pork chop. It’s become a signature dish, perfectly encapsulating the restaurant’s philosophy. It starts with a beautiful, thick-cut pork chop from a local Montana pig. But before it ever hits the grill, the chop is rubbed with a dry mole spice blend, a nod to the rich, complex sauces of Latin America. That mole-inspired rub (with its mix of chiles, cocoa, and warming spices) infuses the pork with a depth that’s totally unexpected and utterly delicious.
Instead of the usual applesauce or gravy one might pair with pork, Feast plates this chop with a silky roasted red pepper and carrot purée, adding a pop of color and a sweet-savory twist. The final plate is a dish that takes something you know—a pork chop with veggies—and elevates it into a whole new realm. It’s familiar enough for comfort, yet innovative enough to feel special and new. In many ways, this one plate tells the whole Feast story: Montana ingredients transformed by global inspiration into a meal you can’t find anywhere else.
We’re Hungry: Are You?
If you’re craving an adventure in Bozeman’s food scene, come on in to Feast and experience this Montana food fusion for yourself. Your plate will tell you a story of tradition and innovation coming together, a story that’s as inviting and bold as Montana itself. Book your reservation today, and we’ll see you at the table!