About the Author
The Story Behind the Book
From a prize-winning jam at the Priest River Huckleberry Festival to a beloved cookbook — the story of Stan and Julie Simonik and their lifelong love of the wild huckleberry.
Stan Simonik
Author & Huckleberry Enthusiast
Stan and Julie Simonik discovered the joy of huckleberries in the summer of 1983 after moving to northern Idaho from Hawaii. They found them near Priest Lake, and the very next day Stan entered a jar of gourmet huckleberry jam in the bake-off competition at the Priest River Huckleberry Festival.
"It won the first prize in its category and the second overall. Life hasn't been the same since."
In 1997, Stan published the first edition of the Huckleberry Haus Cookbook while operating the Huckleberry Haus Bakery & Gift Shop to help support his ministry. The Simoniks left Priest Lake in 2000 to serve other congregations in Arizona, New Mexico, Alaska, and Texas, where Stan eventually retired.
His passion for huckleberries was rekindled in August of 2023 while visiting their son Albert, stationed at Mountain Home AFB in Idaho.
"Our visit would not have been complete without immersing ourselves in the beauty of the forest and looking for huckleberries. We found them quickly, and that evening I made a huckleberry pie, grinning from ear to ear."
Now the Simonik family continues their annual huckleberry picking excursions to the Northwest, delighting in bringing their treasured berries back to Texas. Changing nutritional considerations motivated Stan to update the recipes in the New Revised Edition, published last year.
"I just hope to share the joy of huckleberries with other purple-fingered enthusiasts and inspire them to appreciate the beauty of God's creation."
The Inspiration
Why the Huckleberry?
"Gentle breeze whispering through the forest. Breathing the piney air. Warm sunshine in search of luscious huckleberries. Blessed tranquility interrupted only by your son's excited voice, 'Dad! I found a jackpot!' Life is good!"
— Stan Simonik
Rooted in Tradition
Recipes passed down through generations of Northwest families, updated for the modern kitchen.
120+ Recipes
From muffins and pies to jams, ice cream, and beverages — a complete guide to cooking with huckleberries.
For Every Cook
Whether you're a seasoned baker or picking up a huckleberry for the first time, every recipe is easy to follow.
Ready to Cook with Huckleberries?
Order your copy of the Huckleberry Haus Cookbook and bring the wild harvest into your kitchen.
Order Your Copy — $14.95