Meat & Greet BBQ Podcast

We'd love to hear from you, drop us a text! Ever wondered how a chef goes from two-star French rigidity to painting with fire in the garden and landing Selfridges with a sauce born at a dinner party? That’s the pulse of this conversation with Mat Blak—restless, funny, bruised by failure, and absolutely electric about food that respects where it comes from. We start with boundaries and how to b...

We'd love to hear from you, drop us a text! A beatbox nickname, two expulsions, a near-miss with a gang, and a single dishwashing shift that changed everything. Matt Burgess AKA matblak joins us to chart a wild, human journey from a chaotic Wellington childhood to Michelin-level kitchens, catertainment stages, and a sober, purposeful life built around live fire and community. We dive into the...

We'd love to hear from you, drop us a text! What happens when your kamado tries to swan dive off the outdoor kitchen mid-cook? We get candid about the mess, the ash, the panic, and the fixes that stop it happening again. From a Christmas “brisketta” that blew past the predicted timeline to a gammon glazed in rum and coke that turned out beautifully, we unpack how small choices shape big result...

We'd love to hear from you, drop us a text! A promise to honour a father’s memory became a cookbook that rallied a whole barbecue community. We sit down with John Wilson to trace the gritty, very human path from “let’s do a book” to holding a 204‑page charity cookbook that climbed Amazon’s barbecue charts and put first‑time contributors next to big names. John walks us through the real barrier...

We'd love to hear from you, drop us a text! Fire changes everything—how food tastes, how we cook, and how people gather. We sat down with Ben, co-founder of Somerset Grill Co, to explore the craft behind Argentinian-style, wood-fired grills built in the UK for serious durability and everyday joy. From a superyacht encounter with a $30,000 parrilla to welding the first prototype in a shipping c...

We'd love to hear from you, drop us a text! A food truck, a festival stage, and a sword stacked with sizzling meat—DJ BBQ shows how live-fire cooking becomes unforgettable when craft meets theatre. We dive into his story from early days on the Jamie Oliver network to building a mobile pit operation that feeds tens of thousands, all while sharing the techniques that make barbecue consistent and...

We'd love to hear from you, drop us a text! Forget the oven-first myth and the burnt banger stereotype. We sit down with Alan from Totally Awesome Barbecue to unpack how simple methods, smart gear choices, and a little patience can transform any backyard into a reliable smokehouse. Alan’s story starts where many of us do—over-firing a cheap grill—then moves through practical upgrades, masterin...

We'd love to hear from you, drop us a text! The fire isn’t lit, but the warmth is real: we’re sitting under a brand-new pergola on Christmas Eve, talking through how a messy garden corner turned into a clean, year‑round outdoor kitchen built for 365 cooking. We get practical about design—why the old workshop had to go, how a Somerset grill became the centrepiece, and the small layout shifts th...

We'd love to hear from you, drop us a text! Smoke you can see, stories you can taste. We welcome Full Moon BBQ David Maluff to share how a tiny 50–60 seat Birmingham spot with an open wood-burning pit became a 17-store stalwart without trading away its soul. David walks us through the choices that matter: hickory over shortcuts, open kitchens over back-room mystery, and a service mindset that...

We'd love to hear from you, drop us a text! We catch up with Ian “The Barbecue King” on life after retirement, the seven‑grill line‑up, and how a hobby turned into demos, brand partnerships, and feeding crowds without losing the fun. Travel, community, and a few honest fails shape a smarter, calmer approach to live fire. • retirement, part‑time work, grandad life and more time at the grill • s...

We'd love to hear from you, drop us a text! Ever wondered how someone cooks a full week of meals on a single smoker without sacrificing flavour or sanity? We bring on Sarah from South Louisiana—aka Meat Me at the Smoker—to break down her exact weekend flow: brisket first with the smokestack choked for deeper early colour, then chicken once the draw opens, followed by ribs, bacon, and veg to ro...

We'd love to hear from you, drop us a text! A shed went up in flames—and a lifelong love for live-fire cooking rose from the ashes. We sit down with Kate O’Driscoll to trace an unlikely journey from a no-name kamado to festival demo stages, and we get into the real talk: the kit that earns its keep, the cooks that keep you humble, and the community that makes you braver. We swap stories of Web...

We'd love to hear from you, drop us a text! A Somerset Grill transforms a backyard into a theatre of flames, smoke, and sizzle. Owen's new Argentine Asado-style cooker became the centerpiece of an unforgettable five-hour cooking session where we lost ourselves watching flames dance across carefully prepared meats. The adjustable grates allow precise temperature control as wood burns down...

We'd love to hear from you, drop us a text! Thinking about firing up the barbecue but feeling a bit intimidated? You're not alone. In this practical, no-nonsense guide to barbecue basics, Dan and Owen demystify the essentials that every beginner needs to know before approaching the grill. The cornerstone of successful barbecuing isn't expensive equipment or complex techniques—it&apos...

We'd love to hear from you, drop us a text! After a barbecue hiatus that left their grills gathering dust, Owen and Dan reunite with renewed passion for the flame. This candid conversation captures that magical moment when the spark returns to a beloved hobby – something many enthusiasts will recognize in their own journeys with outdoor cooking. The episode takes an unexpected turn when Owen s...

We'd love to hear from you, drop us a text! Ready to dive into the world of barbecue but feeling overwhelmed by all the options and techniques? We've got you covered. This episode strips away the complexity and focuses on the absolute essentials every barbecue beginner needs to know. Starting with equipment, we make a strong case for why a kettle barbecue with a lid and thermometer should...

We'd love to hear from you, drop us a text! After a refreshing eight-month break, we're finally back at the grills and ready to reconnect with our barbecue community! This comeback episode delves into why we needed time away and how we've been rekindling our passion for outdoor cooking. Dan shares his experiences moving house and setting up a new barbecue sanctuary—from positioning h...

We'd love to hear from you, drop us a text! What if your barbecue mishaps could lead to your most memorable grilling experiences? Join us for an engaging conversation with Simon from the Grill Shack, an Instagram sensation known for his unfiltered approach to all things barbecue. Simon shares his journey from novice to barbecue aficionado, highlighting the importance of cooking for sheer enjoy...

We'd love to hear from you, drop us a text! What happens when baking and barbecue collide? Join us as we chat with Sean, the culinary wizard known as the Irish Egg on Instagram. From the humble beginnings inspired by his mother and grandmother's Irish soda bread to crafting intricate Japanese-style gingerbread houses, Sean's journey is nothing short of extraordinary. Listen to Sean&a...

We'd love to hear from you, drop us a text! Get ready to be inspired by the incredible journey of Lily Bond, a teenage entrepreneur who turned a simple spice blend into a thriving business. At just 13, Lily saw a gap in the market for low-sodium seasonings and decided to fill it herself, starting with a taco seasoning that quickly became a hit. We discuss her fascinating path from perfecting r...

We'd love to hear from you, drop us a text! Get ready to transform your barbecue game with insights from none other than cricket legend turned grill master, Matthew Hoggard! Hoggy, as he's affectionately known, takes us through his incredible journey—from his days on the cricket field to becoming the passionate proprietor of Hoggy's Grill, a thriving barbecue school. You'll hear...

We'd love to hear from you, drop us a text! Get ready to uncover the secrets of exceptional barbecue and ethical meat sourcing with Alex from Hunter Gatherer Cooking. This episode promises to guide you through Alex's journey from a gas grill novice to a master of offset smokers, all while blending his passions for barbecuing, shooting, and country living. We explore the therapeutic aspect...

We'd love to hear from you, drop us a text! Ever wondered how to get into UK competition BBQ? Join us as we chat with Kev from Comp Barbecue UK, who has led the charge in competition grilling in the UK. From the structured KCBS contests to the creative freestyle events, Kev breaks down the highs and lows of the barbecue competition circuit. We'll uncover surprising truths about the global...

We'd love to hear from you, drop us a text! A Special Offer from Waz - 15% off orders until 1st September 2024 use code MG15 Can sauces transform your culinary experience? Join us for an exciting episode as we chat with the talented Warren, aka Waz, from Waz's Sauce Hut. Waz takes us through his flavorful journey from a food-loving child, influenced by his chef father and flavor-savvy mot...

We'd love to hear from you, drop us a text! What does it take to transform from a joiner to a culinary entrepreneur in just three years? Join us as Steve from Charred Food Company shares his inspiring journey, ignited by casual pre-lockdown cookouts and fueled by a deep passion during lockdown. Steve recounts his evolution from a barbecue novice to running a professional barbecue kitchen, high...