Get your grills out because Meatstock Melbourne is back for another year, and they’ve pulled some big smoking guns to come headline a stacked program in April of next year. Both Tuffy Stone, four-times world BBQ champion, and Jess Pryles, renowned Hardcore Carnivore, will sit at the top of a lineup that once again aims to show off all angles of good ol’ fashioned barbecued meats over two days of classes, demos, cook-offs, live music, BBQ food trucks, craft beer, and all the meat you could ever hope for.
While both Stone and Pryles will run their own barbecue classes and demonstrations – for both competitors and the public – they’ll be in good company with over 26 Australian BBQ teams who will be battling it out at the first ever Meatstock Melbourne barbecue wars, the winners of which will grab a cool 10 grand in cash, prizes, and the title of best barbecuers in Victoria.
Competition dominates Meatstock, and just to add another bit of flavour to the mix next year’s festival will also feature “King of the Grill”, a competition where barbecue enthusiasts can compete for the title of best steak, best burger, and best wings. It’s also the first ever cook-off in Australia to be officially sanctioned by America’s Steak Cook Off Association.
Of course, a lot of the spotlight will be on the Aussie return of Tuffy, who has proven himself to be one of the most successful cooks on the BBQ competition circuit, building a total of 37 Grand Championships and earning the nickname of “The Professor”, a nod to his sharp attention to detail.
“Melbourne is Australia’s foodie capital, so I’m looking forward to sharing our BBQ techniques together next year”, said Stone. “It was so much fun meeting the BBQ teams from around the country last year in Sydney’s sell out festival, so I am super keen to experience Melbourne”.
Pryles will be no less of a force at Meatstock, a Melbourne-born cook, author, TV host, and full time Hardcore Carnivore who runs The Carnivores Ball and is the co-founder of the Australian Barbecue Alliance.
“Being able to come back and host Butcher Wars [a live battle between Australia’s finest butchers] in my home town will be such an incredible full circle moment”, said Jess. “I think it’s fantastic these talented men and women are getting the chance to show off their craft, some of their speeds and creations have to be seen to be believed”.
Further details about the full Meatstock program are forthcoming but for now mark those diaries for Meatstock Melbourne, taking place on 22nd and 23rd April, 2017. For more information head to the official website HERE.
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