The British Barbecue Society - How It All Began

My passion for BBQ grew out of entertaining large groups of people, quickly realising slow cooking a large joint of meat and having a beer with friends beats sitting over a grill cooking burgers and sausages.

I entered the British BBQ Championships in Ilminster not having cooked competition BBQ previously and realised after 1st in Brisket, 1st in Pork and 2nd in chicken my natural style of cooking was easily transferred to competition BBQ. I had well and truly been bitten by the bug.

The most frustrating aspect of previous BBQ competitions in the UK is that they all seem to be one offs with profit the only motivation of the organisers. I have been responsible for several company start-ups in various industries and decided to create something out of passion rather than for profit.

Launched late 2008 to raise awareness of real BBQ and to offer a consistent BBQ competition circuit with a fixed set of rules, 2009 proved to be a successful year for the British BBQ Society. With two competitions held in Surrey, Rotherham and British BBQ Society teams representing Britain at the 2 most prestigious BBQ competitions in the world, the American Royal and the Jack Daniels Invitational the society is quickly becoming accepted as a major force in BBQ.

There are individuals out there that look upon BBQ from a purely financial perspective, others use BBQ for individual promotion, the society aims to raise awareness of low and slow in competition and social environments What separates the British BBQ Society from others claiming to be the driving force of BBQ in the UK is the passion of its members, not only do they compete for the title of British BBQ Society Grand Champion they host BBQ events for local business and charities and offer advice freely via the Society's forum.

2010 is proving to be even better, with places confirmed at the Jack Daniels Invitational & American Royal, team numbers doubling and a 3rd competition added to the calendar, media and sponsors are starting to take note that we are genuine and here to stay.

I wish all of our teams the best of luck this year and look forward to meeting some new faces.

Toby Shea
President
British BBQ Society