Is Interactive BBQ’ing the Next Big Thing?

There’s a shift happening in the world of food experiences, and it’s coming straight off the grill. More and more, people aren’t satisfied with simply being handed a plate of food — they want to be part of the moment, feel the heat, smell the smoke, and get involved in the process.

Interactive BBQ’ing — cooking with your guests rather than for them — is fast becoming one of the most talked-about trends in event dining. And honestly? It makes a lot of sense.

The Age of “Experience Eating”
We’re living through a moment where food isn’t just food — it’s entertainment, storytelling, and connection.
Think:

open kitchens in restaurants,
chef’s tables,
wine tastings,
sourdough workshops,
cocktail-making classes,
sushi masterclasses.
People want to learn, participate, and feel closer to the craft. Interactive BBQ fits naturally into this wave simply because fire is already captivating. It pulls people in like moths to a flame — quite literally.

Fire Is a Social Magnet
There’s something ancient and instinctive about gathering around a fire. At events, the grill becomes the heartbeat of the evening:

People drift toward the warmth.
Conversations spark more easily.
The fire becomes a centrepiece rather than a backdrop.
Guests get curious — “What’s that? Can I try flipping it?”
Even the shy ones can’t resist a peek.

In a world of digital everything, an open flame feels grounding, real, and communal.

People Love Seeing Their Food Being Cooked
There’s a reason live-carving stations, open-fire cooking, and slow-smoked meats have exploded in popularity. Transparency is comforting — and fun.

Watch a steak go from raw to sizzling perfection, and suddenly it tastes better.
See a chef basting chicken over coals, and you’re already invested in the flavour.

Interactive BBQ’ing takes this one step further: guests get to turn the tongs, baste the marinade, or sear a piece of veg. It’s hands-on without being high-pressure — participation, not performance.

It Breaks the “Formal Event” Mould
A lot of modern parties — especially corporate or wedding celebrations — are ditching stiff formality for something more relaxed, social, and conversation-friendly.

Interactive BBQ’ing naturally encourages:

mingling
movement
curiosity
laughter
connection
shared moments (and often shared plates)
It’s the opposite of a sit-down three-course meal where everyone stays put and waits for the next knife-and-fork round.

It Mirrors Global Traditions
If you look around the world, communal cooking is nothing new.

South Africans gather around the braai.
Argentinians cook asado as a group affair.
Koreans grill meat right at the table.
Middle Eastern cultures build meals around shared fire-cooked foods.
Interactive BBQ’ing is simply the modern event-catering version of something humans have been doing for centuries.

So… Is It the Next Big Thing?
In many ways, it’s already here.
Wedding couples want more relaxed, immersive dining.
Corporate groups want something that feels like a shared activity, not just a meal.
Private hosts want to give guests something to talk about the next day.

And as the appetite for experience-driven food grows, interactive BBQ’ing ticks every box:

sensory
social
fun
memorable
delicious
and genuinely unique
It feels less like a trend and more like a natural evolution of how people want to eat together.

The Fire Isn’t Going Anywhere
One thing is certain: when people gather around a grill, something special happens. The fire draws them in, the food keeps them there, and the experience carries the night.

Interactive BBQ’ing isn’t just a fad — it’s a return to something timeless, reimagined for modern events. And judging by the smiles, flames and full plates, it looks like this style of dining is only getting started.