One of the most important messages to come out of the daily chores at their summer home is an appreciation of where their food comes from, particularly the eggs and the game meat that he, his wife Susan, their son Jagger, and daughter Peyton harvest as a family.
"In deer season, it's always nice to have that time with my kids and my wife and harvest a deer when we're together," the San Jose Sharks defenseman said. "It makes every meal from that animal special. I think we've learned a lot about different cuts and using everything and we take pride in that. It's a big thing for us. We enjoy that time and I've learned a lot from doing that."
Peyton was a slow, picky eater when she was younger, and changing her relationship with food began with their chickens. It's the kids' jobs to clean the chickens' coops, feed them, make sure they have water, and collect their eggs.
"We saw in her right away that once she felt responsibility with that and learned what comes from the chicken, that sustenance was a big thing," he said.
That appreciation extended to the larger animals they consume, like axis deer and antelope, which Brent prepares using his favorite ready-made dry rubs in his smoker, Kamado-style ceramic charcoal grill, or cast iron skillet.
He likes being able to get a low and slow, consistent temperature in the smoker, but also likes the high heat from the grill, and the ability to sear in cast iron.
He does vegetables the same way. Balsamic-glazed asparagus with garlic, brussels sprouts with bacon, and broccoli with sea salt are among his favorite sides to cook up.
One of his other specialties is his spin on jalapeno poppers, which are stuffed with venison and wrapped in bacon.