Course Reviews

Based on 44 reviews
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Unlocked my creativity

I was a regular when Sam and Shauna had Hang Fire and was over the moon at learning from them both with the Christmas masterclass.

Long and short, it was a great day: lovely company, delicious food and a good laugh. If you're thinking of signing up, do it! You won't regret it.

I've been cooking American-style BBQ for a few years but found myself in a rut, cooking the same things repeatedly. The masterclass has opened my eyes to the versatility of the BBQ and how to create delicious 'normal' meals with a BBQ twist. I'm looking forward to using it to cook Christmas dinner this year.
Thanks again both, Nadolig Llawen, and enjoy Mexico!

Crackin day!

Great fun cooking with the girls, learnt a few tricks and most importantly ate loads of delicious food!
Lots of laughs had too

A fantastic, fun and informative day!

I went along to the Festive Masterclass with admittedly very little bbq knowledge/skill, but was never made to feel anything but valued and included and now feel encouraged and confident to use the tips, tricks and information I learned during a wonderful day with Sam and Shauna. Such a warm and welcoming couple, they made me feel completely at home in their gorgeous garden and impressive outdoor kitchen. Sam’s cooking skills are another level and she made the most delicious meal with apparent ease, but I know how much prep and planning had gone before in order to make it so seamless! We all got to try out butterflying individual pork loins and filling them with a delicious stuffing which we got to bring home once they had been cooked on the bbq. I learned so much while having the best fun and met some wonderful fellow classmates while eating amazing food! Thank you so much Sam and Shauna for all your hard work in making this a day to remember. I’ll see you next year!

The best!

I was so excited to better my bbq skills from the best and wow they totally exceeded my expectations! The whole day was planned so well and we came away with so much knowledge that I’ve easily been able to implement it into my bbq cooking! The day was also just so much fun from start to finish that I’ll be booking another one that’s for sure! Thank you so much Sam & Shauna! X

BBQ QUEENS

Sometimes when you book classes like this, you have an idea of what it might look like in your mind and the reality doesn’t always live up to the expectation….but, in this case the opposite is true. These two legends welcome you to the class like old friends and make everybody feel completely relaxed - no matter their experience level. The class itself is jam packed with helpful tips and everyone in our class came away with new and improved ways to BBQ. The atmosphere is fun and convivial, helped along by a couple of ice cold beers! We had such a fun day and would definitely recommend to others…
One last thing - come hungry.

Well thought out and delivered masterclass

A lot of work must have gone into planning the class, which effortlessly covered a lot of material. I've spent a fair bit of time trying to learn American BBQ, so have a reasonable grasp of the main concepts, but Sam was brilliant at demonstrating and explaining the processes. We also ate very very well! Definitely recommend.

Great day and confidence to try more things

Fab day. Sam and Shauna were so friendly. Great tips and tricks (and hacks). Food was delicious. I even had a go at making the scotch egg myself at home and it was a huge hit. Thanks for boosting my confidence with dirty cooking and indirect cooking!

We’re Converted

What a warm and friendly welcome, you made us feel like we were all your friends that had been invited to a day of fun, and food. Very informative and we could see the passion you have for BBQ and outdoor cooking, an inspirational pair. Highly recommend to others and we will be back. All the food was spectacular and we have taken a lot of ideas away with us. And as for a pair who don’t like fish, the first thing we will be attempting is the salmon, we were wowed. Thank you both for a day we will remember

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Better Backyard BBQ
Tom Buckley
Outdoor cooking lesson par excellence

Greeted by a proper Belfast accent, made to feel at home among like-minded people, being taught new skills by a pair of amazing women in their own garden! I cannot recommend this course highly enough to those with some skills on the charcoal. Lots of techniques, different approaches to seasoning and new flavours that I’ll take back and apply at home. Here’s to next time!

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Fundamentals of Fire
David Ballard
Simply the best!

From the moment you arrive to the time you reluctantly depart. Shauna and Sam are the perfect hosts. You are welcomed like friends to a relaxed get together in their lovely garden and in this informal atmosphere learning new skills becomes a pleasure. I gained so much in a short period of time with hands on experience cooking the quality ingredients that was provided as we replicated a garden dinner party.

Then at intervals I sat down with the rest of my fellow students and enjoyed the fruits of our labour. Chatting like long lost friends over a drink.

If you want to gain confidence and develop your skills in the art of outdoor cooking I can highly recommend this experience you won’t regret embarking on a magical journey with these two wonderful chefs.

Top drawer! We loved every minute

This was a birthday gift and what a wonderful experience! From the fabulously warm welcome we knew we were in for a fun day. Relaxed and friendly vibes in a beautiful outdoor setup; loads of opportunities to learn from Sam and Shauna and ask questions; incredible food (and plenty of it!); lovely company. Honestly couldn’t ask for more. We loved it and I’ll definitely be back for more.
Huge thanks to you both 😊

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Fundamentals of Fire
Jume Roberts
Outstanding class

Firstly thank you for an awesome class today. wow!wow! what a great experience to come to your class today. Full of knowledge of cooking, ingredients and the most of all is equipments that use in the class coals, logs and fire balls (lighter) is sustainable stuffs local products. You have changed my mind to Love the Scotch eggs😋 love the cool technique of cooking steak and chicken wings is amazing too. Highly recommend 😊

BBQ Brilliance!!

Sam & Shauna are the perfect duo for a fully emmersive bbq course. We cooked together, learnt about bbq's, tried them all, ate like queens. So many skills shared and we can't wait to put them into action. One of THE best days EVER, so much fun and you need to get booking!!!!

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Better Backyard BBQ
Joanne Jones
Excellent day

We have just spent an amazing day with Sam and Shauna at their beautiful outdoor kitchen. I couldn’t recommend this experience enough, it is a fantastic opportunity to learn tips and tricks and cook amazing tasty food whilst being guided by the uk’s best outdoor chef.
Thank you ladies for an exceptional day, fabulous food and fantastic company. Highly recommend Jo & rob

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Better Backyard BBQ
Helen Johnson-Jones
A great day with brilliant food 😀

My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed our day with Sam & Shauna. They look after you really well, taught us some great techniques and tips and we walked away full of confidence to try some new things. It was so worth it, and I'd recommend it to anyone interested in upping their BBQ game.

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Better Backyard BBQ
David Pearce
A beautiful day for a bbq

The amount of knowledge I gained from this session with the delightful Sam and Shauna is incredible! So much to take away, from fuel sources and how to use them, to different types of bbqs, I think there were 8 up and running by the end of the day! The food cooked was incredible, who knew a scotch egg could be made on a bbq? Cooking salmon on Ceder boards was a new one for me and it did not disappoint, neither did the mackerel, but just as important, learning about the accompaniment salads was a highlight. All of this with great company and a beautiful outdoor kitchen garden to spend it in. What a delight it is to sit and eat the course that you’ve just cooked, and chat with others, glass of wine in hand, eager to find out what is next on the menu. I’ll be booking onto this again, one of the best days I’ve had in a long time, thanks Sam and Shauna, I learnt a great amount of bbq knowledge see you soon

Awesome!

My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed our BBQ class at Sam and Shauna’s. The food was delicious and we learnt so much during the day. The class was a great size, small enough so everyone could get really involved in the prep and the cooking. I would highly recommend the class, thanks so much Sam and Shauna, we will be back!

Fantastic!

What a wonderful experience! From start to finish Sam and Shauna were welcoming, warm and wonderful hosts.
The day was structured beautifully and the small group size gave time for everyone to ask questions and see what was going on. There was a lovely mix of teaching, practical, demonstration and of course tasting!
Needless to say the flavours in the food were exceptional. I really loved the fact that the focus was not only on the meats but also sides, fresh ideas for salads and introducing different flavours through herbs, spices, and butters.
I felt I learnt so much and was comfortable asking any questions that came to mind.
I would definitely recommend this to anyone as something different and fun to do.

Just when you thought you could BBQ pt2

Sure to my technological ignorance sir of my previous review was lost, so bear with me, I'll try and fill the gaps.

You eat what you cook so be careful! 1st course was a BBQ scotch egg (well worth the course on its own) 2nd up was how to prepare and BBQ salmon and mackerel, beautiful and main course was a fab porcetcha (excuse my spelling), a rolled lump of belly pork with herbs, garlic and lovely spicey sausage. Cooked over coals on a rotisserie. Absolutely gorgeous

Just when you thought you knew how to BBQ!

What a fabulous day. I like to think I was the braii king, nah, Sam & Shauna show you exactly how to do it. Great insight into complimenting protein with sides, something I was useless at doing. Fantastic setting well designed for up close and personal learning. Plenty to eat and drink during the day. I was with a lovely like minded bunch and a great day was had by all. I can't recommend this enough.

Thanks both, I will be back!!

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Fundamentals of Fire
Tracey Edwards
Wow wow wow - a must for everyone

Spent the day at Sam and Shauna’s house learning the basics of Barbecuing. Now I thought I knew how to bbq but we’ve been doing it wrong for years.
The course is fantastic. They explained the different fuels, controlling temperatures with direct and indirect cooking and how to cook chicken, veg and steak. Sharing recipes with us.
Sam and Shauna are great hosts, making the course fun, relaxing and informative.
Drinks and food are provided throughout the day and the group size was perfect.
I highly recommend this course.

A must for anyone who enjoys BBQ!

Attended this course today by Sam & Shauna, and highly recommend to anyone who enjoys Barbecuing.

We went through the types of fuel, temperature control, direct and indirect cooking, dry rub and marinated, and cooked various parts of chicken to make a lunch, followed by cooking different types of steak for a steak dinner.

The course was very informative, in a relaxed manner and in a small group so you get to ask plenty of questions as well as gets hands on experience. Even with experience working in the food industry, still learnt so much today.

Sam and Shauna were excellent hosts, made you feel very welcome and relaxed in their beautiful outdoor kitchen. Drinks and snacks were provided throughout, and of course you get to eat what you cooked on the day!

Having been a follower of them for many years, it was great to learn directly from them. Will definitely be looking to put what I learnt into practice soon, as well as booking onto the intermediate course!

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Fundamentals of Fire
Melanie Constantinou
Fun, Food & Friends!

What a brilliant day spent learning the basics of barbecuing with the perfect hosts! Sam & Shauna provide everything you need to learn the essential “how to’s” of bbq from fuel choices, hot spots, temperature control, flavourings, rubs & marinades. Best of all, once you’ve tried your hand at it all you get to sit in their lovely garden and eat the fruits of your labours! This is a relaxed class that de-mystifies cooking outdoors in an easy and accessible way. Absolutely loved it - highly recommend

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Fundamentals of Fire
Edo Velthuis
I thought I knew the fundamentals of BBQ....

We've just got back from this course at Sam and Shauna's beautiful outdoor kitchen. What an awesome experience. So many things learned about BBQ'ing that I thought I knew but quickly realised I didn't. I highly recommend this course for beginners and intermediates alike. The atmosphere was fun and relaxed, the group size just right and the time between learning and eating spot on. And yes, there's plenty to eat and drink!

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Better Backyard BBQ
Emma Boulton
Incredible experience!

My husband and I had an incredible day at Sam and Shauna’s learning the fundamentals of BBQ. They were both so warm and welcoming and we were made to feel at home at once. We learnt so much in just a few hours and have come away feeling really inspired. We will be booking another class soon once we have practised our skills from this one!

Thanks Sam and Shauna ☺️