About

Hi! I’m Lee!

A self-proclaimed BBQ geek, passionate content creator, and founder of Smoke & Sear.

Most days, you’ll find me firing up the grill, crafting digital strategies for my clients at DigitalEmber, or spending quality time with my three amazing kids and my loyal chocolate Labrador, Wren.

For me, BBQ isn’t just about the food—it’s about the experience. From experimenting with new recipes to connecting with an incredible community of like-minded BBQ enthusiasts, I’m here to share the journey, one smoky bite at a time.

My goal is to share my BBQ journey, inspire outdoor cooking, and help grow the BBQ scene.


I’m a Big Geek at Heart

Before BBQ became my passion, technology was (and still is) a massive part of my life. I’ve spent over 20 years working in digital innovation, blending creativity and tech to deliver cutting-edge solutions. As a developer, I’ve built everything from websites to bespoke digital tools, and as a digital marketing expert, I’ve helped brands grow their presence and connect with their audiences in meaningful ways. From crafting marketing strategies to integrating the latest A.I., I thrive on solving problems and pushing boundaries.

These days, I balance running my own agency, DigitalEmber, with my love for BBQ and content creation. Whether it’s diving into A.I., exploring VR and AR, or building the perfect website, I’m always learning, experimenting, and looking for the next big challenge. Being a geek isn’t just what I do—it’s who I am.

Life in Lincolnshire

In 2024, after a separation and redundancy, I made the move to a quiet little hamlet in Lincolnshire—a place so small it doesn’t even have a shop or pub. It was a fresh start, a chance to focus on myself, my kids, and finding a new balance. Working from home in this peaceful corner of the world gives me the space I need, but some days it’s just me and the Amazon delivery driver for company. That’s where Wren, my chocolate Labrador, comes in. She’s my shadow, my companion, and honestly, I’d be lost without her.

Half the time, though, the house comes alive when my three kids—Oscar, Olivia, and Oakley—are here. They’re my everything, and we make the most of every moment together. Whether it’s crafting, playing Fortnite, or just being silly in the garden, I’m all in for the fun (as long as they follow the rules, help out, and do well at school!). It’s safe to say they’re turning into little geeks like their dad, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Not just cooked . . . this tomahawk was forged in fire.

Reverse-cooked low ‘n slow, then straight-up dirty seared right on the coals for that primal crust. Finished with a fat slice of cowboy butter — melted over the top with a chunk of red-hot charcoal.

Flavour? Savage.
Style? Full caveman.
Crust? Absolute filth.

👉 Full step-by-step recipe now live over on the site if you’re keen to give it a go.

www.smokeandsear.world
Too early for a Christmas-themed turkey cook? Maybe.

But with Thanksgiving just around the corner and festive planning in full swing . . . now feels like the perfect time to drop this belter.

Smoked, brined, and slathered in herby garlic butter – this wood-fired turkey’s an absolute showstopper.

Full cook on the Kamado Joe. Full flavour. Full-on festive vibes. 🎄🔥

🎥 Watch the reel
📌 Save it for the big day
🖱️ Full recipe’s up on the site now

#SmokeAndSear #ChristmasTurkey #BBQTurkey #KamadoJoe #SmokedTurkey #ThanksgivingFeast #FestiveBBQ #BBQSeason #BBQLife #TurkeyDoneRight
Right then — first brew DONE, and what better way to mark it than cooking up something to go with it 🍗🍺

If you saw my reel 20 days ago, @igulubeer had sent me their S1 Smart Home Brewing System (gifted) — and this was the moment of truth. First pour, first taste, and my first ever beer used in a BBQ recipe.

I grilled up some beer-brined, honey beer glazed chicken thighs on the @ninjakitchenuk Woodfire, dropped ’em into warm naan pockets with salad, poured over some of that leftover glaze, and got stuck in 🔥

⸻

🧂 Beer Brine:

	•	250ml cold water
	•	250ml of my freshly brewed German Helles
	•	50g salt
	•	25g sugar
	•	1 garlic clove (smashed)
	•	1 bay leaf
	•	5–6 peppercorns

Brined boneless, skinless chicken thighs for 6 hours, patted them dry, and cracked on.

⸻

🍯 Honey Beer Glaze:

	•	150ml beer
	•	2 tbsp honey
	•	1.5 tbsp French’s yellow mustard
	•	1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
	•	1 tsp smoked paprika
	•	Salt & pepper
	•	Knob of butter

Simmered until it thickened up and got sticky, then basted the chicken in the last few mins.

⸻

🔥 Cooked in the Ninja Woodfire:

	•	Grill Mode: HIGH
	•	Around 10–12 mins, flipping halfway
	•	Glazed the last 3–4 mins ’til it was glossy and banging

⸻

Served it all in naan pockets with fresh salad, poured over some of that leftover glaze, and washed it down with a cold pint of the beer I brewed myself. Not gonna lie — for a first try, I’m proper impressed 👌

The only problem? I’ve no CO2 setup yet, so the keg needs finishing sharpish . . . looks like it’s gonna be a very decent night 😂

👉 What should I brew next?

#ad @igulubeer 

www.igulu.co.uk

#igulu #iGuluS1 #gifted #bbqandbeer #firstbrew #beerbrined #stickychicken #ninjawoodfire #beerrecipe #bbqrecipe #cheekydrink #comingsoon #brewtobbq
1 year to the day . . . and I still can’t believe little old me was flown to Nashville by @ninjakitchenuk . First time in America, first time doing anything like that — honestly one of the biggest moments of my BBQ life. And yep, the FlexFlame review I wrote back then is still getting loads of daily traffic too. Madness.
Simple Beef Stew & Fire-Roasted Mash in the Kamado Joe

No thrills. No fancy edits. Just a proper wholesome family dinner cooked low and slow outdoors. Diced beef braising steak, smoked and stewed in the Smoke Pot, with jacket spuds roasted next to it and turned into mash — easy as you like.

Kept the reel as simple as the cook — no crazy angles, just real food, cooked for me and the kids. And sometimes, it’s the simple things that just hit the spot.

Not that you’ll need it, but the full recipe’s up on the website as usual 😉

www.smokeandsear.world

#SmokeAndSear #KamadoJoeCooking #SimpleBBQ #FamilyFood #BeefStew #BBQMash #OnePotCook #RealFoodRealFire #OutdoorCooking #BBQLife
Right then . . . @igulubeer got in touch and asked if I fancied giving their S1 Smart Home Brewing System a go 🍺

We had a few honest chats – I’ve never brewed beer before, but I do love trying out new gear, especially when there’s tech involved. They sent over the S1 – their latest smart brewing machine – along with a German Helles brew kit, and this reel shows the unboxing and kicking off that first ever brew.

Apparently, it takes 20 days until it’s ready to drink – so this is just the start.  There’ll be more coming soon as I pair a few brews with proper cooks off the BBQ 🔥#

Now, quick heads up – the S1 is currently out of stock in the UK. But if you like the look of it, stay tuned – once it’s back on sale, I should be able to sort you out with a cheeky discount 👀

Could this be the new bit of kit the BBQ shack was missing?

Let’s see how it turns out . . . 

What should I brew next?

#ad @igulubeer 

www.igulu.co.uk

#igulu #iGuluS1 #gifted #bbqandbeer #firstbrew #homebrewing #smartbrewer #comingsoon