This started as a daft little comp I set up in the UK BBQ WhatsApp Community to get the regional groups talking, cooking, meeting up and generally giving each other grief.
Most regions went suspiciously quiet.
But two actually stepped up.
SOUTH vs NORTH
The South came in swinging with a proper land, sea and fire feast — venison haunch wrapped in nori, reverse-seared smoked lamb, lobster, scallops, shell-on prawns, Sussex mackerel, monkfish, black sea bream, focaccia, fresh green sauce and a Sussex Smokie finished with a breadcrumb crust.
Then the North answered with an absolute monster board — rack of lamb, black pudding burnt ends with Newcastle Brown Ale sauce, sticky pork ribs, Cumberland sausage, smoked chuck scouse, fish and chips, roast beef, ribeye steaks, venison burgers, grilled potato skewers, sweet Yorkshire pudding with bone marrow crème pâtissière and smoked sticky toffee pudding with bourbon ice cream.
And honestly, this is exactly what it was meant to be about.
People getting together. Cooking outdoors. Making new mates. Sharing ideas. Having a laugh. Creating something that represents where they’re from.
But… there can only be one winner.
To vote, comment:
SOUTH
or
NORTH
I’ll somehow collate the votes from Instagram and Facebook on Monday 6th July, and we’ll find out who takes the regional glory for 2026.
More details on both cooks are on the website, and you can also join the UK BBQ WhatsApp Community there if you fancy getting involved. It really is a cracking bunch.
Now then…
Who gets the glory?
SOUTH or NORTH?