DJ BBQ (aka Christian Stevenson) is a live fire chef and a leading name in the world of BBQ. After a successful broadcasting career fronting shows for MTV, Channel 4 and Channel 5 (including award-winning Rad), he harnessed his passion for cooking over fire and now has his own YouTube channel with more than 175K subscribers (he’s also a regular big-hitter on Jamie Oliver’s FoodTube). DJ BBQ stars in and hosts festivals including Meatopia, The Big Feastival, Camp Bestival, Grilltopia and The Big Grill. He is a chef on Food.com, and has contributed to This Morning, FHM, Independent, Daily Mail and the Chris Evans Breakfast Show among many others. He has a BBQ spice rub range with US brand Spiceology, and his brand affiliations include Hellmann’s, Renault, B&Q and Kid Rock’s American Bad Ass Grill.
- What got you into BBQ’ng?
I come from the Mid-West in America, my dad and grandfather cooked BBQ. IOWA is cattle and corn country and we had steamed corn nearly every night. BBQ was traditionally cheaper cuts of meat, my mum and dad divorced when I was in year 2 and I shuttled back and forth between them. Basically, my dad was a solo dad raising 2 kids, so he asked me to help with the cooking. He cooked outside and my mum cooked inside. I also got taught some great dishes by my grandparents such as Meatloaf and Tomato Pie
- How many BBQ’s do you have at home and what is your favourite method of cooking?
I only have 3 grills at home 2 Weber 57cm Kettles and a Pit Barrel Kamado. I have 3 smokers in storage that I use for festivals. My favourite bbq to cook on is Weber as that’s where I started, I used a 47cm Kettle for a long time before I upgraded. Kamados are too expensive for many and can take a while to come up to temp.
- What is your favourite piece of BBQ equipment? This can be a BBQ or an accessory and we want to know why.
I use my Weber Tongs for most things they are just very versatile.
- What was the best BBQ food you have ever eaten?
The BBQ food that surprised me the most was at a cattle herding station barn in Brazil where the gauchos had their coffee and food. I was travelling with Giles Coren and Monica Galetti and we had lamb skewered on big swords with pools of fat dripping onto the hot coals. It was easily the best lamb ribs I have had.
- Tell us about your worst BBQ disaster?
When I first started cooking, I was cooking Pulled Pork on a langman 36 and I kept checking the food. As they say “If your looking its not cooking” It took a while!
- Name a dish you have never cooked but would love to try?
I would love to try Marilyn Muskrat. When I was snowboarding in Ecuador in the 1990’s they ate guinea pig. I was always curious.
- Who is the person you would most like to cook with?
When at home I love cooking with my sons. I want to pass down to them an enthusiasm for BBQ in the same way my dad and grandfather did to me. When I am cooking at Festivals I love cooking with T-Bone Chops, Sam Jones and Dave Jennings. It’s such a blast!
- What is your favourite song to cook to?
I haven’t got one favourite song. If cooking with T-Bone Chops its always Rock, if at festivals its Funk and Soul or Hip Hop, when at home I like Indie or Alternative and I love my mix tapes
- Best toppings for a BBQ burger?
For myself my favourite topping is caramelised onion and mushroom. My go to cook for others is an Oklahoma burger.
- What’s your favourite non-BBQ food?
Everything is BBQ Food, LOL. No if I am out to eat, I like a curry or South East Asian Food - What is your favourite dish from the new book?
Maple Bacon Lardy Cake, my friends 2 year old couldn’t get enough of it, or my Aunts Goulash Recipe
The Book is available here :- DJ BBQ’s Backyard Baking
DJ BBQ Books – Amazon Books