BBC Gardeners’ World Live

Meet your Pitmasters and Chefs

This year we’re bringing the atmosphere, flavour and theatre of live-fire cooking to BBC Gardeners’ World Live with a brand-new feature: The Smoke & Fire Zone.

Designed as a fully realised outdoor living space, this area will show visitors how a garden can be more than something to admire — it can become the place where friends gather, families eat together and evenings last long after the sun goes down.

Discover the spaces at the show

The Smoke & Fire – Eat • Heat • Retreat Garden

Step into a garden at BBC Gardeners’ World Live that’s designed to be lived in, not just looked at.

From beautifully styled outdoor kitchens and sociable dining spaces to a wood-fired sauna and hot tub retreat, this feature shows how your garden can become the place everyone gathers.

Discover how cooking, entertaining and unwinding outdoors can flow effortlessly together — and leave inspired to recreate the experience at home. 

BBQ Alley

Discover the right grill for you

Thinking about upgrading your BBQ but unsure where to start?

BBQ Alley brings together a range of grills and smokers in one place so you can compare them side-by-side and speak directly to the experts. You’ll be able to see and learn about:

• Ceramic kamado cookers
• Gas BBQs
• Charcoal grills
• Pellet smokers
• Live-fire cooking equipment including traditional Kadai fire bowls

You won’t just see them at Gardeners’ World Live — you’ll watch them being used properly, throughout the day, by experienced cooks and chefs.

Monolith BBQ School

Learn by doing – Bookable experience

The highlight of the zone at Gardeners’ World Live is our hands-on BBQ School.

Rather than just watching demonstrations, you can take part in a guided cooking session led by our professional pitmasters and butchers. These small-group sessions are designed to give you real, practical confidence.

In this 60 min class you’ll learn:

• How to choose the right cuts of meat
• Fire control and temperature management
• Direct vs indirect cooking
• How to cook steak, chicken and more properly over fire
• Tips you can use immediately at home

And yes — you get to eat everything you cook.

Whether you’re new to BBQ or want to improve your skills, this is the fastest way to go from guessing… to knowing.

Places in BBQ School are limited, so we recommend booking early to secure your session.

The Ember Artisan Market

Around the zone you’ll also find the Ember Artisan Market, a collection of specialist makers and suppliers dedicated to outdoor cooking and craftsmanship.

Here you can explore:

• Handmade leather aprons
• Bespoke chopping boards
• Knife sharpening and knife care advice
• BBQ rubs, seasonings and sauces
• Accessories to elevate your outdoor cooking

You’ll also have the chance to speak directly to producers and learn how to get the best from the products you use at home.

More than BBQ

The Smoke & Fire Zone is not just about cooking — it’s about outdoor living.

Our aim is simple: to inspire you to step outside more often, cook with confidence, and turn your garden into a place people naturally gather. You’ll leave with ideas you can implement straight away, whether that’s lighting a charcoal grill for the first time or planning a full outdoor entertaining space.

If you’ve ever thought “I’d love to do more with my garden” — this is where it starts.

Book your visit here now and use code SMOKE20 for a special Smoke and Fire 20% discount off on your entry.

Your ticket includes entry to the Good Food Show Summer too – right next door with no barriers between the two! It’s two great days out rolled into one, filled with plants, inspiration, shopping and flavour.

Terms and conditions

*Ticket offers valid on adult/over 65s standard entry tickets only. Not valid on VIP or 2-day tickets, on added extras, or with any other offer. Ends 23:59 on 13 April 2026. Subscribers save 25% off standard tickets, when using their unique subscriber number. Not valid on VIP or 2-day tickets, on added extras, or with any other offer. £4.25 transaction fee per order. Entry ticket is required to book and attend the Theatre, including the free BGC sessions. Details correct at time of send.