Celebrity Chef Vincent Fiore didn’t originally have Story, Wyoming, on the itinerary for his new “Cookin’ With Cowboys” episodes, which have recently begun streaming on YouTube.
But the “Wise Guy Kitchen” chef is always up for a new adventure. That impromptu adventure led to an unexpected deal for Fiore.
A new restaurant at the Wagon Box Inn, where he plans to soon hang both his apron and his chef’s hat.
Fiore has loved the West for as long as he can remember, and he particularly loves Wyoming, which is why his new “Cookin’ With Cowboys” television show honed in on the Cowboy State, filming episodes in Cody and Casper.
“Cookin’ With Cowboys” is a travel and cooking TV series hosted by Fiore that blends Italian culinary flair with Western cowboy culture through adventures at ranches, resorts and restaurants across America. Episodes stream on Roku TV’s Black Rock channel.
So far, it had all been a great ride, but not necessarily one where Fiore was expecting to find a new restaurant of his own.
“Kelly Eastes took us all over,” he said. “We went to Powell, and Cody, and Wapiti and all of that. We wound up going to Casper and we did Douglas. We went to the Powderhorn Ranch, and we went to Alcova resort. We did all these crazy things, and it was wonderful.”
Eastes is Visit Casper’s film liaison, but often also helps production crews find their way around Wyoming.
“He goes, ‘Yeah, I know this place called the Wagon Box,’” Fiore said. “’And it would be a pretty good place for you to film.’”
Fiore wasn’t sure his schedule was going to allow for a location so off the beaten path, but ultimately decided to shoehorn it in on Eastes’ recommendation.
“I don’t know the whole history of it, but when I got there it’s such a beautiful little place,” Fiore said. “And it’s right outside of Sheridan.
“So, if you want the bigger city, you’re just 20 minutes away. And if you want the mountains and the rivers…