As a kid in suburban Detroit, Brian Howard felt like cooking was in his blood. He grew up watching and emulating chefs such as Julia Child and Jacques Pepin, and discovered a fascination for the craft.
“From around age 8, I would cook food and arrange it nicely on a plate and take pictures of it,” Howard said.
Having spent nearly 20 years in Southern Nevada working his way through some of the top kitchens in town — starting as a dishwasher and ascending the ranks to executive chef — he formed Brian Howard Hospitality in 2016, and now serves as chef and owner of Sparrow + Wolf, a restaurant that has earned national acclaim.
“We have successfully established an amazing concept that focuses on delivering great hospitality and delicious food — that’s it,” Howard said. “I believe my professional accomplishments come from within my organization and my family: I curate and develop the ideas, but they are the reaction of that. But my accomplishments go beyond that, and that’s having a full dining room 90 percent of the time. That’s a win in my eyes.”
Howard is always looking to the future and scouting locations for future projects.
“For me, it’s not about moving fast but making an impact, and only time will tell what that is,” said Howard, who supports Three Square, KNPR, Green Our Plant and the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health.