This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Patrick Montgomery, a former Army Ranger and the founder of KC Cattle Company, an American wagyu farm. It has been edited for length and clarity.

At a summer cookout, I prefer a snappy hot dog to a juicy burger. It might be a controversial take, but my love for these links started when I learned how to make them by hand. During culinary school, ...

Patrick Montgomery founded KC Cattle Company with little ranching experience after leaving the Army. His startup went viral overnight — then he had to learn how to scale fast. KC Cattle Company has ...