A food truck, a festival stage, and a sword stacked with sizzling meat—@djbbq 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 crowd-pleasing. Think precise temperature zones, the confidence to probe to target, and the art of trusting the rest so joints finish tender, not tough.
We get practical and specific: why British-made lump charcoal beats chemical‑laden imports, how grass‑fed British brisket delivers deep flavour once you’ve mastered fat and carryover, and when beginners might “goofproof” with imported packers. Christian breaks down cooking by senses—listening for sizzles, reading smoke, feeling for that soft‑to‑tough‑to‑soft arc—and admits the hard lessons learned from opening pits too often or trapping embers in greasy gloves. The tips are actionable: pull turkey around 64°C and rest upward, carve radiant heat for rare spit‑roast beef, and skip full-bed coals in a kettle to keep a safe zone for flare‑ups.
The conversation roams where the fire leads. We champion winter grilling with stews, chilis, and cauldrons over embers; trade notes on Weber kettles, Kamado efficiency, and insulated fireboxes; and set our sights on pizza—New Haven and New York styles that crackle without the heavy chew. Regional cues thread through it all: Alabama white sauce you can double-dip on the grill, Memphis-style one-hour ribs at Rendezvous, and the Piedmont “outside brown” technique that turns pork shoulder into burnished, addictive steaks. It’s a celebration of the UK’s melting pot—techniques and flavours borrowed, blended, and made our own.
Ready to level up your barbecue with skills you can use this weekend? Hit play, then share your winter fire plans and favourite live‑fire tip. If you enjoyed the show, follow, rate, and leave a review—your support helps more people find the flame.
Sponsored by @aosoutdoorkitchens
AOS Kitchens are a leading outdoor kitchen design and installation specialists based in Hampshire
