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Feed your appetite for cooking with Penguin’s expert authors

How to BBQ

Published

19 March 2026

Who’s the author? Genevieve Taylor is one of the UK’s leading authorities on barbecue and live-fire cooking. She has spent decades teaching people how to cook confidently over flames and runs the Bristol Fire School, where she helps home cooks improve their fire-cooking skills through hands-on classes and workshops.

In addition to her work as a teacher, Genevieve is the author of multiple cookbooks including Scorched, Seared, and Charred, and regularly cooks, teaches and collaborates with barbecue chefs and pitmasters around the world. Her expertise spans everything from simple grilling to more advanced fire-cooking techniques, making her a trusted guide for anyone looking to get more from their barbecue.

What’s it about? How to BBQ is a comprehensive guide to cooking over fire, designed to help everyone from complete beginners to experienced grillers achieve better results. Drawing on Genevieve’s years of experience, this book explains the fundamentals of barbecue cooking in a clear, practical, and accessible way.

The opening chapters cover everything you need to know before you start, including building and managing a fire, choosing the right fuel, and understanding key cooking techniques. Genevieve also answers common barbecue questions and includes beginner-friendly recipes that teach the essential skills needed for successful live-fire cooking.

Once you’ve mastered the basics, the recipes in How to BBQ take you far beyond the typical barbecue fare of burgers and sausages. Expect quick midweek dishes, slow-cooked weekend projects, hearty one-pot meals and crowd-pleasing feasts for sharing with family and friends. Whether you cook on a kettle barbecue, a dedicated grill, or a simple fire pit, this book is packed with practical advice, clever techniques and inspiring recipes to help you cook with confidence.

Perfect for: Anyone who wants to master barbecue cooking, from first-time grillers looking for guidance to passionate outdoor cooks keen to expand their repertoire.

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