About Us

OUR STORY

BBQ Culture began in 2015 as a series of weekend cookouts among friends in the suburbs of Perth. Founders Jack Thompson and Mia Cooper, both passionate home grillers with backgrounds in hospitality, noticed that while American BBQ was gaining global recognition, Australia's unique grilling heritage remained largely uncelebrated beyond our shores.

What started as casual weekend gatherings in Jack's Bayswater backyard quickly evolved into organized workshops as word spread about their expertise in traditional Australian barbecue techniques. By 2016, they had outgrown the backyard and moved to their first permanent location—a converted warehouse that allowed them to host larger events and educational sessions.

The turning point came in 2018 when their instructional video on preparing and grilling kangaroo went viral internationally, highlighting the distinctive aspects of Australian barbecue culture. This unexpected exposure led to partnerships with local meat producers, native spice suppliers, and eventually, the development of their signature product line.

Today, BBQ Culture has grown into Western Australia's premier barbecue community and educational platform, with a flagship location in Bayswater featuring demonstration areas, retail space, and community gathering spots—all dedicated to preserving and evolving Australia's unique approach to outdoor cooking.

MISSION & VALUES

OUR MISSION

To preserve, celebrate, and innovate Australia's unique barbecue traditions while creating an inclusive community that shares our passion for outdoor cooking and the lifestyle it represents.

OUR VALUES

AUTHENTICITY

We honor traditional Australian grilling methods while embracing innovation that respects our culinary heritage.

SUSTAINABILITY

We promote responsible sourcing of local ingredients and environmentally conscious cooking practices.

COMMUNITY

We believe barbecue brings people together across all walks of life, creating connections that extend beyond the grill.

EDUCATION

We're committed to sharing knowledge that empowers people to experience the joy of Australian barbecue traditions.

MEET OUR TEAM

JACK THOMPSON

FOUNDER & HEAD GRILL MASTER

A third-generation butcher with over 20 years of experience in hospitality, Jack combines his understanding of meat preparation with traditional Australian cooking techniques. His specialty is perfecting the art of cooking over eucalyptus wood and native charcoal.

MIA COOPER

CO-FOUNDER & NATIVE INGREDIENTS SPECIALIST

With a background in botany and Indigenous food studies, Mia brings expertise in native Australian ingredients to our recipes and products. She has documented traditional cooking methods from Aboriginal communities across Western Australia.

DAVE MURRAY

EVENTS DIRECTOR

A former competition barbecue champion, Dave oversees our workshop program and annual festival. His background in event management ensures our educational experiences are as entertaining as they are informative.

SARAH NGUYEN

CULINARY DEVELOPMENT

With training from top Australian restaurants, Sarah develops our recipes and product line. She specializes in blending traditional Vietnamese flavors with Australian barbecue techniques, reflecting our country's multicultural culinary landscape.

OUR ACHIEVEMENTS

BBQ Culture winning Best Australian Food Experience award

BEST AUSTRALIAN FOOD EXPERIENCE 2022

Awarded by Tourism Australia for our immersive barbecue workshops that showcase traditional Australian cooking techniques to international visitors.

5,000+ WORKSHOP PARTICIPANTS

We've educated over five thousand barbecue enthusiasts through our hands-on workshops, from complete beginners to professional chefs.

NATIVE SPICE PRESERVATION PROJECT

Our partnership with local Indigenous communities has helped document and preserve traditional cooking techniques using native Australian ingredients.

SUSTAINABLE BARBECUE CERTIFICATION

First Australian barbecue organization to receive certification for sustainable cooking practices, including responsible sourcing and carbon-offset programs.

WHAT PEOPLE SAY

"As a classically trained chef, I was skeptical about taking a barbecue workshop. But BBQ Culture's approach to Australian ingredients and techniques completely transformed my cooking. Their native spice blends are now staples in my restaurant."

JAMES WILSON

EXECUTIVE CHEF, RIVERFRONT GRILL

"BBQ Culture's workshops completely changed how I approach outdoor cooking. Their focus on Australian techniques and native ingredients gave me a whole new perspective on barbecue that my blog followers absolutely love. The community they've built is truly special."

EMMA CRAWFORD

FOOD BLOGGER & PHOTOGRAPHER

"I've attended barbecue classes in three different countries, but none captured the unique spirit of Australian outdoor cooking like BBQ Culture. Their hands-on approach and focus on community made the experience unforgettable. Now our family barbecues are legendary in the neighborhood!"

ROBERT KIMURA

PASSIONATE HOME COOK

READY TO JOIN OUR BBQ COMMUNITY?

Whether you're a complete beginner or a seasoned grill master, we have events, workshops, and resources to help you elevate your barbecue game. Get in touch to learn more about upcoming opportunities or to schedule a private session.