BBQ Experience with Luncheon Muncheon; Yateley, Hampshire

Summer and BBQs go hand in hand, but if you’ve ever tried to juggle timing, temperature, and hungry guests, you’ll know just how stressful it can feel. That’s why Luncheon Muncheon’s BBQ Experience has become one of my favourite foodie experiences. Now held at Yateley Village Hall after their partnership with Starburst Studios, it’s still the same relaxed, communal day of learning, eating, and enjoying food whilst learning that I've enjoyed before.

From the moment you arrive, the atmosphere is easy going. There’s no sense of formal class learning and dishes will come out steadily throughout the day. That slower rhythm is what makes the experience feel like such a celebration. It’s not just a class; it’s a gathering, a chance to pause, taste, chat, and take in the theatre of BBQ as much as the flavour. Arrive hungry, but you certainly won't be by the end of the day!

The day unfolds like a story, one dish leading gently into the next whilst you allow dishes to cook and work on something else to keep the flow going. As you go you will learn plenty of tips, tricks and advice on best BBQ technique, BBQs themselves, products and more.

We started with pork belly cooked low and slow, sticky with Char Siu seasoning onto one BBQ, followed by preparing a fresh fennel salad with a bright crunch. Juicy tomatoes cooked simply with a dash of salt were instant winners with peppers and feta offering a hit of summer on a plate.

A whole cauliflower roasted in a miso glaze showed just how satisfying veggies can be over fire and as a great centrepiece. The moinks — those cheeky bacon-wrapped meatballs — cooked alongside these gave us a great plate of food, just as conversation was hitting its stride.

A spectacular flank steak stole the show and was devoured off the chopping board it was that good! Served with hot coals sizzling dramatically atop the compound butter made with the new Chimi-Particles seasoning, it was one of those “remember forever” BBQ moments that's sure to impress! To round it out, roasted carrots and courgettes, seasoned chicken thighs, and homemade flatbreads were made and cooked, adding both comfort and variety to the spread.

As with previous years, the Rural Punk BBQ seasonings played a starring role. They’ve become something of a signature of these sessions — blends that you can buy to take home, evolving each time with new flavours and ideas to keep your own BBQs fresh. They’re clever without being complicated, the kind of seasoning that makes supermarket cuts shine just as brightly as butcher’s specials.

The whole day is built on Simon’s philosophy: BBQs don’t need to be stressful, and they certainly don’t need to be all about meat. By pacing dishes, embracing veggies, and adding a touch of drama to the presentation, the BBQ becomes more of an experience than just a meal.

My Big Takeaways

• BBQs are best when you slow down and let dishes arrive in their own time.
• Both meat and vegetables can be the stars of the grill.
• Rural Punk BBQ seasonings always deliver inspiration and will definitely elevate your food!
• A little theatre goes a long way in making food memorable.

Final Thoughts & Tips

If you’re looking for a BBQ class that feels more like a long lunch with friends than a strict tutorial, Luncheon Muncheon is the one. The new Yateley Village Hall venue makes it accessible no matter the weather, but it still holds onto that relaxed, communal charm. Bring a hat, dress comfortably, and come ready to eat — but more importantly, come ready to slow down, savour the food, and enjoy the kind of day that turns BBQing into an experience, not just cooking.

Event Dates: the classes run the last Sunday of the month most of the year, booking essential. Private classes and gift vouchers also available at request.

Time: approximately 4 hours - 11am - 3pm

Website: Luncheon Muncheon

Date: June 2025