Meet Dr. K
Engineer. Surgeon. Outdoorsman. Backyard smoke enthusiast.
It started the way a lot of good ideas do — standing over a hot grill with a cold beer, wishing there was an easier way to get real smoke flavor without spending all day tending a smoker.
Dr. K, an engineer turned pediatric surgeon (and dad of hungry kids who didn’t want to wait hours for barbecue), decided to solve the problem himself. What began as a backyard experiment eventually became Dr. K’s TENN Cans: a simple way to bring authentic wood smoke flavor to any grill in minutes.
Raised by a small-town store owner who believed business should serve the community, Dr. K built the company with those same values in mind. Today, every can sold helps support the local food bank in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Dr. K first trained as an engineer and today works as a pediatric surgeon. Outside the hospital, you’ll usually find him rock climbing, fishing, hunting, grilling, or finding new ways to enjoy life outside in Tennessee.
And yes — around the holidays, even the Elf on the Shelf occasionally needs expert care.
Sage has been around backyard grills, hunting trips, and cookouts since the beginning. She's a trained hunting dog and has spent extensive time taste testing smoked meats. Sage genuinely feels good food is meant to be enjoyed outdoors.
What started as a backyard idea has grown into a business startup focused on making real smoke flavor simple, approachable, and fun for everyday grilling.
Rooted in Chattanooga’s entrepreneurial community, Dr. K’s TENN Cans still carries the same backyard spirit that started it all.
