A Native Eagle Rocker's Burning Passion (Video)

Quick question: How many times have you gone past the short stretch of Eagle Rock Boulevard between the corner of and , just by Merton Avenue—and wondered what lies behind an imposing wrought-iron gate a stone’s throw from the sidewalk?

Okay, here’s the answer: The gate is the entrance to , where custom-made, state-of-the-art wood-fired ovens are manufactured from scratch. And not just that—behind the business’s modern yet industrial façade lies one of the most well-equipped, not to mention comfortable and inviting, outdoor BBQ deals you’re likely to find for miles around. (Wildwood Ovens regularly hosts food-centric fêtes late into the night and open to the public—the next of which is a wild-boar dinner on July 23—and the space is available for events.)

Wildwood Ovens & BBQs is owned and run by Michael Gerard, whose equal-parts European and Brazilian heritage neatly captures the ethnic diversity of Eagle Rock, where he grew up in a large family whose daily rituals revolved around backyard gardening and cooking.

As you’ll see in the video to your right, Gerard has his opinions about ovens—especially about “Ovens v/s BBQs,” which really should have been this business’s name. But the gist of his oven-centric message is simple, pointed and, many would say, persuasive: When you have a BBQ going, everyone conspicuously moves away from the smoke and the heat. But when you have an oven in your backyard, it becomes the heart of your party—and family.