Jodie Tonks, 34, impressed the judges with a menu inspired by her Caribbean heritage and more than a decade of cooking outdoors, beating finalists from across the country to take the title.
The Wolverhampton home cook works 32 hours a week as a buyer in the aerospace industry while raising her 10-year-old son, Roman.
The judging panel included Michelin-starred chef Paul Ainsworth, Vietnamese cookery writer and chef Thuy Diem Pham, food editor Samuel Goldsmith and Kamado Joe international marketing director Ben Forte.
Since winning the competition, Jodie has contributed recipes to BBQ Magazine and Great British Chefs and appeared at food festivals.
Her prize also includes membership of the Guild of Food Writers and a place on its mentorship programme, where she will receive six months of guidance from established food-writing professionals.
Jodie said: “I still can’t quite believe it. Barbecue has always been something I’ve loved, but it’s been very personal to me. It’s the way I cook for my family, the way I bring people together and it’s where I feel most like myself.
“I started cooking outdoors properly because I didn’t want all the smoke and smells in the house, but it grew into something much bigger. I cook in all weathers and before I knew it, I had created a little outdoor kitchen area at home. It’s my happy place.
“To win this competition and now have the chance to be supported by a global barbecue brand and the Guild of Food Writers is amazing. I’d love to build more confidence in writing about food, sharing recipes and telling the stories behind the food I cook.”
Jodie’s interest in barbecue began more than a decade ago. She trained at catering college in Wolverhampton, worked on grills in pub kitchens and developed her skills while cooking for family and friends.
She began experimenting more seriously with outdoor cooking, smoking, marinades and spice blends during the pandemic.
Her winning menu featured Caribbean-marinated meats, homemade roti, Scotch bonnet slaw and pickled cabbage.
Paul Ainsworth, chef patron of Michelin-starred Paul Ainsworth at No. 6 in Padstow, was among the competition judges.
He said: “On the day of the competition, Jodie was quietly getting on with her cooking and keeping her head down. But then she approached the judging table with the most staggering array of Caribbean-marinated meats, Turkish platter style, with homemade rotis, a Scotch bonnet slaw and pickled cabbage.
“We just stopped talking and there was silence as we made our way through the different meats. It was all seasoned beautifully and showcased what the Kamado Joe is all about.
“I also loved the way Jodie made it accessible for everybody to cook a showstopping dish, and, most importantly, inspiring people to try BBQ cooking at home.”
The Barbecue of the Year competition was organised by barbecue manufacturer Kamado Joe and food website Great British Chefs to recognise emerging live-fire cooks from across the UK.
Ben Forte, of Kamado Joe, said: “Jodie is exactly the kind of cook this competition was created to champion. She has skill, creativity and a deep understanding of flavour, but she also cooks in a way that feels real and joyful. Her food tells a story.
“We’re here to help Jodie build on her talent, develop her voice and inspire others to get grilling.”
Jodie said the win had encouraged her to consider making food and recipe writing a bigger part of her future.
She added: “I have a busy job and family life, so food has always fitted around everything else. But this has made me feel like maybe there is a path there.
“I’d love to do more recipe writing, more content, maybe one day pop-ups or events locally. I just want to keep learning and see where it can go.”
She now hopes to take part in pop-ups, food festivals and community events across the West Midlands.
Jodie added: “For me, barbecue is about connection. It’s not something to rush. You take your time, you savour it and you enjoy feeding people.”
