Kamado Joe fires up search for the UK’s next Young BBQ Chef of the Year

Kamado Joe has partnered with Great British Chefs to launch a nationwide search for the UK’s next Barbecuer of the Year, a new competition launching this spring designed to celebrate live-fire cooking and support emerging culinary talent.

Launching on 3 February, the competition is open to emerging talent across the UK. Entrants simply submit a short video (up to 60 seconds) and a photo of their finished dish along with the full recipe. The deadline for entries is Sunday 22 March. Five finalists are selected and invited to take part in a live cook-off at Great British Chefs HQ in London on the 22nd April.

The finalists will be judged by Michelin-starred chef Paul Ainsworth, with the overall winner receiving the title of Young BBQ Chef of the Year 2026 and a truly money-can’t-buy prize.

Ben Forte, International Marketing Director at Kamado Joe, says: “From world-first innovations like digitally connected ceramic grills to next-level engineering, every Kamado Joe barbecue is designed to help cooks push further. We want to empower a new generation of chefs to cook with confidence, creativity and consistently exceptional results. By teaming up with Great British Chefs, we’re giving young chefs the chance to show what they can do, grow their skills beyond the grill and start shaping an exciting future in food.”

By partnering with Great British Chefs, Kamado Joe continues its commitment to championing live-fire cooking, supporting emerging talent and investing in the future of barbecue.

Visit: www.greatbritishchefs.com/competitions/kamado-joe-bbq-chef-competition

Please contact Harry Hook, PR at RAW Food and Drink PR for further details: harry@rawfoodanddrinkpr.co.uk 

The Young BBQ Chef of the Year is open to entrants aged 18 and over.

About Kamado Joe

The iconic red ceramic grill brand, Kamado Joe is a global leader in outdoor cooking innovation. Renowned for its smart design, versatility, and superior craftsmanship, Kamado Joe is trusted by professional chefs and grill enthusiasts alike. Each grill is built with durable, high-quality ceramics designed to last a lifetime, with the mission to give customers the kit they need to take barbecue to the next level.

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