Welcome to Smokin’ Oak Barbecue.

We’re Matt and Heather – barbecue lovers, caterers and creators based right here in the heart of the Waikato.

Our journey started back in 2012 after getting hooked on shows like BBQ Pitmasters. Keen to give it a go ourselves – but with few charcoal barbecues available – we built our first one out of an old 44-gallon drum. Safe to say, those early feeds were a bit rough… though a few brave friends and family stuck by us!

We kept at it, and in 2017 entered our first barbecue competition. That kicked off six years of travelling the country, competing, learning and improving along the way – picking up category and competition wins and eventually earning the title of 2022 National Reserve Grand Champions.

One of our proudest moments? Taking out season two of TVNZ’s Cooks on Fire in 2023. An experience we won’t forget anytime soon.

Barbecue has taken us to some incredible places and introduced us to some great people along the way – and that’s something we don’t take for granted.

Smokin’ Oak Barbecue was built on that journey, with the goal of sharing proper low and slow barbecue with more people. It’s been an awesome ride so far – and we’re just getting started.

So whether you’re planning a wedding, a work event, or just a good old feed, we’d love to bring barbecue to you.