Top 100 UK BBQ Instagram Accounts 2026 voting is now open. Closes Monday 11th May.

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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.

Lee Bishop - Smoke & Sear

smoke.sear

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DRAGON, edge of the sky.

Flt Lt Tom Nation, the 2026 RAF Typhoon Display Pilot, putting the Typhoon through its paces over Coningsby.

Tom’s name is now on the jet, the black flying suit is on, the helmet has been unveiled, and the 2026 display season is starting to feel very real.

The aircraft, the pilot, the team behind it — all coming together for what looks like it’s going to be an unbelievable season.

Fast, precise, aggressive, controlled . . . and absolutely breathtaking to watch.

@raf_typhoondisplayteam
@eurofighter.typhoon

#RAFTyphoon #TyphoonDisplayTeam #EurofighterTyphoon #RAFConingsby

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DRAGON, edge of the sky. Flt Lt Tom Nation, the 2026 RAF Typhoon Display Pilot, putting the Typhoon through its paces over Coningsby. Tom’s name is now on the jet, the black flying suit is on, the helmet has been unveiled, and the 2026 display season is starting to feel very real. The aircraft, the pilot, the team behind it — all coming together for what looks like it’s going to be an unbelievable season. Fast, precise, aggressive, controlled . . . and absolutely breathtaking to watch. @raf_typhoondisplayteam @eurofighter.typhoon #RAFTyphoon #TyphoonDisplayTeam #EurofighterTyphoon #RAFConingsby

Dirty-Seared Côte de Boeuf with Cowboy Butter 🔥

Picked up this absolute beauty from @mountainsfarmshop in East Heckington, Lincolnshire — proper local butcher, proper bit of beef.

This is the way I like to cook a big thick steak like a Côte de Boeuf / bone-in ribeye.

Cooked in the @kamadojoeuk over @bigkproductsltd lumpwood — and this bit matters: use good quality lumpwood, fully lit and burning clean. You want heat and crust, not a steak that tastes like a shed fire.

I also used some @fourge.bbq whisky oak we’re currently testing.

Temps tracked with the @meatermade , because guessing on a steak like this is how you turn dinner into financial regret.

Finished with cowboy butter, rested, sliced, juices back over the top.

Simple process. Big flavour. No bollocks.

Comment COWBOY and I’ll send you the link to my website with the full step-by-step guide for how I cook a steak like this, plus how I make the cowboy butter.

Hope this new step-by-step, no-bollocks format helps. 🔥

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Dirty-Seared Côte de Boeuf with Cowboy Butter 🔥 Picked up this absolute beauty from @mountainsfarmshop in East Heckington, Lincolnshire — proper local butcher, proper bit of beef. This is the way I like to cook a big thick steak like a Côte de Boeuf / bone-in ribeye. Cooked in the @kamadojoeuk over @bigkproductsltd lumpwood — and this bit matters: use good quality lumpwood, fully lit and burning clean. You want heat and crust, not a steak that tastes like a shed fire. I also used some @fourge.bbq whisky oak we’re currently testing. Temps tracked with the @meatermade , because guessing on a steak like this is how you turn dinner into financial regret. Finished with cowboy butter, rested, sliced, juices back over the top. Simple process. Big flavour. No bollocks. Comment COWBOY and I’ll send you the link to my website with the full step-by-step guide for how I cook a steak like this, plus how I make the cowboy butter. Hope this new step-by-step, no-bollocks format helps. 🔥

Spatchcock chicken on the Ninja FlexFlame 🔥

Kept it simple, kept it juicy, and hit it properly with SPARK rub by @fourge.bbq — bright, herby, lemony, and bang on for chicken.

Barbecue without the bollocks.

What should I cook next? 👀

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Spatchcock chicken on the Ninja FlexFlame 🔥 Kept it simple, kept it juicy, and hit it properly with SPARK rub by @fourge.bbq — bright, herby, lemony, and bang on for chicken. Barbecue without the bollocks. What should I cook next? 👀

This was, I believe, the last @raf_typhoondisplayteam display practice before Flt Lt Tom Nation’s PDA at RAF Coningsby later this week . . . and what a display to watch.

If all goes well, this is the final step before Tom begins public Typhoon displays around the country and beyond for the 2026 season. Living near RAF Coningsby means I’ve been lucky enough to watch so many of these Typhoon display practices and workups as they’ve built towards this point, and honestly, seeing the progress, precision, confidence and sheer power of the jet has been incredible.

So Flt Lt Tom Nation – DRAGON01, if you ever happen to see this, go absolutely smash your PDA mate. You’re a legend. Go DRAGON.

#raf #raftyphoondisplayteam

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This was, I believe, the last @raf_typhoondisplayteam display practice before Flt Lt Tom Nation’s PDA at RAF Coningsby later this week . . . and what a display to watch. If all goes well, this is the final step before Tom begins public Typhoon displays around the country and beyond for the 2026 season. Living near RAF Coningsby means I’ve been lucky enough to watch so many of these Typhoon display practices and workups as they’ve built towards this point, and honestly, seeing the progress, precision, confidence and sheer power of the jet has been incredible. So Flt Lt Tom Nation – DRAGON01, if you ever happen to see this, go absolutely smash your PDA mate. You’re a legend. Go DRAGON. #raf #raftyphoondisplayteam

Welcome to what’s more than likely my first and last attempt at doing unplanned face-to-camera content . . . and episode one of ‘BBQ Ain’t F*****G Difficult’ 😂

The kids wanted pulled pork, so I stuck a shoulder on, used @fourge.bbq EMBER rub — best there is, obviously — and talked my way through the cook without overcomplicating it.

Because that’s the point really. Pulled pork is forgiving, BBQ doesn’t need gatekeeping, and not every cook needs to be made out like some pitmaster secret.

After @chumsbbq kept dropping edits of my “interview” from The Big Community Cookup last week, I thought any video I made myself couldn’t be more embarrassing than that . . . jury’s still out.

P.S Sorry Mum, I’ll rinse this potty mouth out soon. Blame the nerves . . .

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Welcome to what’s more than likely my first and last attempt at doing unplanned face-to-camera content . . . and episode one of ‘BBQ Ain’t F*****G Difficult’ 😂 The kids wanted pulled pork, so I stuck a shoulder on, used @fourge.bbq EMBER rub — best there is, obviously — and talked my way through the cook without overcomplicating it. Because that’s the point really. Pulled pork is forgiving, BBQ doesn’t need gatekeeping, and not every cook needs to be made out like some pitmaster secret. After @chumsbbq kept dropping edits of my “interview” from The Big Community Cookup last week, I thought any video I made myself couldn’t be more embarrassing than that . . . jury’s still out. P.S Sorry Mum, I’ll rinse this potty mouth out soon. Blame the nerves . . .

Oh good f*****g lord . . . I think I’ve just witnessed the best Typhoon display I’ve seen yet.

Today was proper grim as well — cold, windy, dark moody skies, low cloud cover — but somehow that just made it even better. The whole thing felt more dramatic, more aggressive, more powerful. That sky absolutely set the mood.

And Flt Lt Tom Nation – DRAGON01 . . . good lord mate. How the hell he went straight from take-off into that display is on another level. That was unreal.

#raf #typhoondisplayteam

@raf_typhoondisplayteam @planetom91

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Oh good f*****g lord . . . I think I’ve just witnessed the best Typhoon display I’ve seen yet. Today was proper grim as well — cold, windy, dark moody skies, low cloud cover — but somehow that just made it even better. The whole thing felt more dramatic, more aggressive, more powerful. That sky absolutely set the mood. And Flt Lt Tom Nation – DRAGON01 . . . good lord mate. How the hell he went straight from take-off into that display is on another level. That was unreal. #raf #typhoondisplayteam @raf_typhoondisplayteam @planetom91