Today we’d like to introduce you to Z.Z. Ludwick.
Hi Z.Z., please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
A Man. A Dream. One Incredible Chicken!
Zev Zalman “Z.Z.” Ludwick didn’t just stumble into great barbecue—he built it from a lifetime of passion. From watching cooking shows at age ten to becoming the go-to grill master at every gathering, Z.Z. learned early that great food brings people together.When a severe fish allergy closed the door on culinary school, Z.Z. didn’t quit creating. A lifelong musician and craftsman, he opened Ludwick’s House of Violin in Silver Spring, Maryland, in 2015. After long days at the workbench, he relaxed the only way he knew how—fire, smoke, and flavor.That’s when he discovered pit-barrel cooking: chickens suspended over live fire, self-basting as they cook to impossibly juicy perfection. Once Z.Z. dialed in his process, the reactions were immediate. One food-service veteran neighbor took a bite and said, “You have to sell this chicken.”Thus, Pit Barrel Poultry Company was born. To make it truly unforgettable, Z.Z. created a proprietary seasoning blend designed specifically for his signature smoked chicken. After months of refinement, Z.Z.’s Smokin’ Spice emerged—a bold, crave-worthy blend now enjoyed by barbecue lovers and home chefs around the world.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Getting Licensed, Kosher Certification.. funds for equipment and products.. proper Research and Development
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Super proud of my amazing spice and also my incredible BBQ, The Pit Barrel Poultry Company ! Also very proud of my other business, Ludwick’s House Of Violin!
The Pit Barrel Poultry Company.. A MAN, A DREAM, AND A CHICKEN!
You’ve heard the expression, “you are what you eat!“; when it comes to someone who takes his hobbies and passions and turns them into two businesses, Zev Zalman “Z.Z.” Ludwick, is definitely no chicken!
From a very young age, the love of cooking and barbecue was a big part of Z.Z.‘s life, from watching cooking shows as a 10-year-old to partaking of the family barbecue every Sunday, he developed more than an obsession with outdoor cooking. His friends always elected him, chef and Grill master at all the parties and gatherings, and the enthusiasm and joy he felt for making people happy with his culinary offerings left an indelible mark that has followed him throughout the years.
Z.Z had a long time dream of attending culinary school, but it was crushed due to his fish allergy preventing him from participating in the curriculum! That didn’t stop him though, being a musician since the age of eight, he took his other passion for instruments and love of woodworking and trained to become a skilled Luthier, eventually opening up his own shop, Ludwick’s House Of Violin in Silver Spring, Maryland, in 2015. During a long day in the shop, Z.Z.’s outlet is to take a break and unwind, lighting up the barbecue or the smoker.
One day his world was turned upside down after he saw a buddy of his, cooking old-school cowboy style with a big piece of meat hanging over a fire. That got the wheels turning, but he didn’t act on that until he saw an ad for cooking in a Pit Barrel, same concept…fire at the bottom of a barrel and meat hanging from hooks at the top, and as the juice from the meat would drip down, it would create steam, creating super moist meat and poultry.
Z.Z. had to try it for himself and purchased his first Pit Barrel. After experimenting to perfect his craft Z.Z. felt it was time to share his culinary delights with a group of his friends. A neighbor with experience in food service, enjoyed one of Z.Z’s applewood smoked chickens and proclaimed, “Z.Z., you gotta sell this chicken!”
Well, that got the smoke billowing, and the Pit Barrel Poultry Company was born. That same neighbor suggested Z.Z. do something even more special and cook his chickens with a proprietary spice blend. This sparked another creative inferno, and after months of tweaking, “Z.Z.’s Smokin’ Spice” became a reality, and is now being distributed worldwide!
Z.Z. is proud to share his passion with the public through his pop-up takeout restaurant and is available to cater your next event.
Come see what all the fuss is about..
Ludwicks House Of Violin..
About Us
Ludwick’s House Of Violin’s founder, Zev Zalman “Z.Z.” Ludwick, was inspired to play the violin when he was just 8 years old. With over 30 years of performing on Banjo, Bass, Guitar, and Mandolin, Z.Z. wanted to delve into the art of Lutherie. Being blessed with completing an apprenticeship with Dalton Potter at The Potter Violin Company in Maryland, Z.Z. went on to Violin,Viola,Cello and Double Bass repair and restoration at several shops in the Mid-Atlantic region. His attention to detail, artistic eye, and ability to listen and interact with musicians has helped him tremendously in the field. There are very few things that bring Z.Z. more satisfaction than to take an old family keepsake instrument and bring it back to life!
Always evolving and advancing in knowledge and application, Z.Z. is now honing his skills as well as building Violins under the guidance of his mentor, Master Violin Maker, Howard Needham!
Along the way, Z.Z. has acquired a network of extremely talented instrument makers throughout the world, and has the ability to offer high quality student and professional instruments, directly from the makers to the customers, reducing middle man costs! We also offer a full line of Bows and Accessories, as well as being a distributor for JonPaul Bows and Bobelock Cases.
At Ludwick’s, we specialize in Violin, Viola, & Cello Sales, Repairs and Acoustic Adjustments serving Maryland, The Mid-Atlantic and beyond! And by popular demand, and because of Z.Z.’s love for all things Mandolin, we are now offering Mandolin sales by special orders only!
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I don’t believe in luck only in the blessings given to me from The Good Lord!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.zzssmokinspice.com
