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.

Still buzzing from The Big BBQ Community Cookout at Millington Hall Farm, Cheshire 🔥

What. A. Weekend.

Old mates, new friends, non-stop food, live fire, beers, banter, and some of the best people you could ever meet. From the butchers demos to the fire stage, the wing challenge, and the teepees glowing late into the night — this one had it all.

Huge shoutout to @charredfoodco & @cheshire_grill for pulling off something incredible for their first event 👏 

Rumours are already flying for next year, and I can’t bloody wait.

Big love too to everyone I got to hang with, but special shoutouts to — @jons.bbq , @wazs_sauce_hut , @alfresco_chapel_bbq , @meatf_reaks & the lads, @banquet1415 , @liamthecateringbutcher , @firetitsbbq , and Tom from @kendogrills — absolute legends every one of you 🙌 

The BBQ community in the UK is strong, growing, and full of heart. Many friends for life made this weekend ❤️

#BBQCommunity #LiveFireCooking #UKBBQ #BBQFamily #SmokeAndSear #BBQLife #Cookout #MillingtonHallFarm #BBQEvent #Pitmasters #FoodFamily #GoodVibesOnly
Shot on Hohem iSteady V3 Ultra 🎥🔥

I had some fantastic dino ribs from idevour that needed smoking — so I decided to put the new Hohem iSteady V3 Ultra through a proper real-world test while cooking.

Producing BBQ content solo is hard work — juggling tripods, chasing angles, and trying to film when your hands are covered in seasoning is honestly the most stressful part of sharing the journey.

But this gimbal genuinely made life easier.

🙌 Gesture control to start/stop recording and enable A.I. tracking worked a treat — reliable every time.

📸 The built-in tripod meant I could drop it exactly where I was cooking.

💡 The variable light module helped even out those tricky shadows.

🎮 And that removable remote with live-view screen . . . game-changer. I can finally use my phone’s rear camera for proper quality and still see exactly what I’m filming. A quick tweak on the joystick and framing’s sorted.

I’m still exploring the different gimbal modes and plan to dive deeper into the Hohem app, but for a first run it was seriously impressive — smooth, stable and intuitive.

Admittedly, filming myself using the gimbal filming me cooking got a little confusing at times (had to prop up an iPad to catch the chaos 😂) — oh, the joys of content creation!

In short: if you’re a solo content creator who wants to simplify your workflow while levelling up filming quality and creative angles, the Hohem iSteady V3 Ultra is an absolute winner.

🔗 Check it out via [link in bio]

#Hohem #iSteadyV3Ultra #HohemV3Ultratryout #Videography #ContentCreation #BBQ #SmokeAndSear #SoloCreator #BBQCommunity

@hohem_global @hohem_na 

⸻

⚠️ Gifted Item Disclosure:

The Hohem iSteady V3 Ultra was sent to me by Hohem to try out and review. Opinions and content are my own.
🔥 This is probably the thing I’m most proud of in my BBQ journey.

I’m not a pitmaster or pro chef — just a geek who started cooking outside during lockdown and wanted to remember what I’d learnt.

So I built Smoke & Sear - a site that’s now packed with:

✅ 100+ step-by-step BBQ recipes
✅ Honest reviews of grills, gadgets, and gear I’ve actually used
✅ A full UK BBQ Events calendar
✅ Top UK BBQ Instagram accounts
✅ Rub competitions, pitmaster map & more
✅ Sizzle – my own AI BBQ assistant (yep, I went full nerd)

All built to support the UK BBQ community — nothing fancy, just useful stuff from someone who lives and breathes it.

📍 114,000+ have found it via Google
📈 27,000+ users in one week (at peak)
🌍 Visitors from 170+ countries — but always flying the UK flag

—

💬 If you’ve ever used the site, let me know what helped.

If you haven’t yet, go have a mooch - it’s all free.

👉 https://www.smokeandsear.world

What else would you like me to add or do?

I’m a geek — and if it helps the UK BBQ community, I’ll see what I can do.

— Lee | Smoke & Sear

"Just a bloke with a BBQ obsession and a dodgy memory."
"Low ‘n’ slow till it falls apart in your hands – @ninjakitchen Woodfire pulled pork that’s smoky, juicy and dangerously moreish 🐖🔥"

Here’s the move:
🐖 Pork collar rubbed, scored and (optionally) injected for max flavour
💨 Smoked at 120°C until the bark is set and the colour’s spot on
🥤 Foil-wrapped with cider vinegar, BBQ sauce… maybe even a cheeky splash of Dr Pepper
🔥 Cooked through till probe-tender at 95°C, then rested so it pulls like butter
🥪 Load it into buns, pile it on fries, or stuff it into a jacket spud – it’s BBQ gold

No shortcuts, just patience and smoke working their magic.

👉 Full recipe here:
https://www.smokeandsear.world/BBQ-recipes/perfect-pulled-pork-in-the-ninja-woodfire/

#SmokeAndSear #PulledPork #NinjaWoodfire #LowAndSlow #BBQPork #UKBBQ #BBQComfortFood #SmokeGameStrong
"Golden fries drowned in melty cheese, topped with smoky shredded beef cheeks that fall apart with a fork. Comfort food, BBQ style 🍟🔥🥩🧀"

The play-by-play:
🥩 Ox cheeks smoked in the @ninjakitchenuk Woodfire, then braised till buttery tender
🍟 Fries cooked crisp and golden, ready to carry the load
🧀 Cheddar, mozzarella & parmesan melted into gooey goodness
🌶️ Garnished with red chilli, spring onion & coriander for a fresh kick

It’s indulgent, messy, and exactly the kind of food that makes a BBQ table go quiet for a few minutes.

👉 Full recipe here:
https://www.smokeandsear.world/BBQ-recipes/shredded-beef-cheeks-and-cheese-loaded-fries/

#SmokeAndSear #LoadedFries #BeefCheeks #CheeseGoals #BBQComfortFood #NinjaWoodfire #UKBBQ #MessyEats
"Rotisserie Picanha with a fat cap sizzling, gooey Brazilian cheese bread, smoky sweet potato wedges and a mango-pomegranate salsa that hits like Rio Carnival 🎉🥩🧀"

This cook’s a full-on flavour trip:
🐂 Picanha steaks skewered and spun over live fire until medium-rare perfection
🧀 Pão de Queijo (Brazilian cheese bread) – crispy outside, chewy, cheesy middle
🍠 Sweet potato wedges with smoked paprika, grilled till fluffy inside and crisp outside
🥭 Carnival salsa with mango, pomegranate, coriander, lime & a kick of chilli

Stick it all on a big board, crack a cold one, and you’ve got yourself a proper celebration of fire and flavour.

👉 Step-by-step feast guide here:
https://www.smokeandsear.world/BBQ-recipes/picanha-steak-pao-de-queijo-carnival-sides/

#SmokeAndSear #BrazilianBBQ #Picanha #PaodeQueijo #BBQFeast #CarnivalOnAPlate #UKBBQ #RotisserieMagic
"Forget your meal deal – this is the kind of sandwich that needs two hands and a bit of silence while you eat 🥩🥖🔥"

Here’s what makes it special:
🐂 Prime rump joint from Village Butchers, dry brined & cooked rotisserie-style over coals
🔥 Rested, sliced thin, juicy and tender
🥖 Artisan baguette toasted over the fire for that charred crunch
🌿 Fresh rocket for peppery bite
🥵 Slathered with a mustard-horseradish-mayo sauce that packs just the right amount of punch

It’s messy, it’s meaty, it’s smoky – basically the ultimate steak sandwich.

👉 Full step-by-step recipe here:
https://www.smokeandsear.world/BBQ-recipes/prime-beef-rump-joint-sandwich-with-zesty-sauce/

#SmokeAndSear #SteakSandwich #BeefDoneRight #BBQSarnie #UKBBQ #RumpSteak #FireCooking
First night away in the @tentbox I bought from @nomadtrailers ✅

Kept it local and, despite a few niggles, I loved it. 

Stayed at the @theglampingpub pub & campsite — can’t fault it at all. Friendly owners, loads of chats with locals and other guests, self-serve beer pumps (dangerous 😂), and the food was spot on after hiking the Footsteps of Kolkr.

Lessons learned:

	•	I need a @jackery.uk or similar . . . power is everything ⚡️

	•	Waterproof jacket = essential for packing away in the rain 🌧

	•	Snacks . . . don’t forget the snacks 🥨

	•	Mobile reception is rubbish — might have to treat myself to portable Starlink 📡

Wins:

	•	Two plastic tubs system worked perfectly (one for tent & dog bits, one for comfort gear — @chillbeamofficial lights, speaker, chargers etc).

	•	My double sleeping bag was a game-changer — best night’s sleep ever. 😴

	•	TentBox setup was smooth, even if pack-down in the rain took me 15 mins instead of 5.

Overall: cracking little adventure, and I can’t wait for the next one… which just happens to be the Big BBQ Community Cookout next weekend 🔥🍻