How It Started: BBQ Roots in the Garden of England

Barbecue isn’t just a cooking method — for me, it’s part of who I am. Some of my earliest memories are from the 1990s, standing beside my dad at our family home in Kent, firing up a traditional smoker in a time when almost no one in the UK even knew what that was. That rich, smoky aroma hooked me from the start — and I’ve been chasing better flavour ever since.

Back then, BBQ smokers were rare. But we didn’t let that stop us. We built our own setups, mastered the fire, and learned the kind of patience only stick-burning smokers can teach. That fire control — literally and metaphorically — was the foundation for everything that came next.

🇺🇸 Learning from the Greats – Across the US and beyond

While the roots are undeniably in American BBQ, my flavour education didn’t stop there.

I spent years travelling through the southern US, eating my way through smokehouses, food trucks, and backyard joints. I learned from Pitmasters in Texas, Carolina and Kansas — understanding not just the spice, but the story behind every style of barbecue.

But it was further afield where things really started to evolve. A trip through Southeast Asia opened my eyes to new ways of using smoke, balance and bold spice. Sweet, citrusy, fiery, funky — I started experimenting with fusion flavours that could cross borders without losing identity.

I didn’t go to culinary school — I trained in back gardens, BBQ joints, and dusty smoke pits, soaking in stories and seasoning ideas from legends of the craft. It’s this mix of grassroots graft and global influence that defines what we now call Smokey Rebel.

Smokey Rebel isn’t American BBQ seasoning. It’s globally inspired rubs, created for people who want their food to punch above its weight — wherever they cook it.

🧂 Why I Launched Smokey Rebel BBQ Rubs

I wanted to create a range of BBQ seasonings that let anyone — whether they’re using a smoker, grill, air fryer or oven — bring real American BBQ flavour to their food. No gimmicks. Just bold, balanced blends that make your cooking unforgettable.

Each Smokey Rebel rub starts from scratch — no fillers, no shortcuts. Just premium spices, hand-blended in small batches. Every label tells a story. Every can is built to inspire. We’re here for home cooks, weekend warriors, and serious BBQ heads alike.

We believe flavour should spark curiosity. That’s why each blend is designed to work across cooking methods — from brisket to beans, tacos to wings.

🔧 BBQ Equipment That Raises the Bar

In 2022, we took things a step further — becoming an authorised UK dealer for Yoder Smokers, the Kansas-built beasts trusted on the US competition circuit. From the legendary Yoder Cimarron to backyard classics, we’re bringing high-end American BBQ gear to the UK market.

Catch us on tour with the Smokey Rebel team, or even hire us for a live-fire stage experience — powered by real flames, pellet smokers and Rebel-grade flavour and shenanigans.

🦝 Meet Smokey – Our Mascot and Spirit Animal

Our raccoon mascot, Smokey, isn’t just a logo — he’s a symbol of what we’re all about: mischief, fire, and flavour. He’s cheeky, adventurous, and always up for a BBQ. If you spot him at an event, you know good food’s not far behind.

🥩 My Signature BBQ Dish

If I had to pick one cook to eat forever, it’s Mesquite-smoked brisket tacos, rubbed with our Revolution Rub and topped with fresh salsa and homemade guacamole. It’s what I call MexiCue — a blend of bold Texas BBQ and vibrant Mexican street food.

🫢 Guilty Pleasure? Burnt Ends

The best bite in barbecue? For me, it’s brisket burnt ends. Tender, smoky, rich — and usually devoured by the pitmaster before they ever hit the plate. Guilty as charged.