Join host James Golding as he sits down with Elky Whittaker, better known as Smokin' Elk, a barbecue phenomenon and founder of the Smoking Elk Barbecue School near Portsmouth. In this lively conversation, Elky shares his inspiring journey from a 20-year IT career to becoming a celebrated chef and educator.

Discover how Elky turned his passion for fire cooking into a thriving business, blending American barbecue traditions with UK flavours and techniques. He dives into the differences between UK and US barbecue culture, emphasising the importance of temperature control and mastering the barbecue lid for perfect results every time.

Elky reveals his love for using pure maple syrup in sauces and glazes, preferring it over honey for it's unique balance of sweetness. He also talks about the evolving barbecue scene, including the growing popularity of live fire cooking and fusion flavours inspired by Middle Eastern and Asian cuisines.

Listeners will get a peek into Elky's recent adventures, including a whirlwind tour in Texas, a creative cooking stint in Thailand, and exciting upcoming projects like his new barbecue business Ember and Iron, plus collaborations with world-renowned barbecue chef's.

Whether you have a burning passion for open fire cooking or want to try something new, Elky's "don't overthink it" and "just get stuck in" attitude will inspire you to enjoy the craft of barbecue with friends and family.

You can find more about Elky and his BBQ School here: https://www.thesmokinelk.com/

For more seasonal recipe inspiration using pure Canadian maple syrup, follow Maple from Canada UK: www.instagram.com/maplecanadauk/ or visit the website https://www.maplefromcanada.co.uk/