Want to know how our first ever British Live Fire Cooking Champion did at the World Food Championships in the States...

World Food Championships
in Indianapolis

Mark Hammond

Mark Hammond, winner of the British Live Fire Cooking Championships (BLFCC), recently represented the UK on the global stage at the World Food Championships (WFC) in Indianapolis. Mark, alongside his team, Food en Fire, brought the essence of British live-fire cooking to this prestigious US competition, showcasing his skills in the Live Fire category.

For his first round, Mark recreated his award-winning Deconstructed Caesar Salad - a dish that earned him his initial spot in the BLFCC. This creative and visually striking dish secured him a place in the next round, where he faced a new challenge: crafting a dish around a set ingredient - prime ribeye steak. Demonstrating exceptional skill, adaptability, and creativity, Mark elevated this classic cut of meat in a way that impressed the judges, capturing the spirit of live-fire cooking, but unfortunately, narrowly missed out on the final.

How the WFC Works

The World Food Championships bring together top chefs and culinary enthusiasts from around the world to compete across various categories, including Live Fire, BBQ, Desserts, and more. Contestants move through multiple rounds, beginning with a signature dish and advancing to challenges involving specific ingredients or techniques. The competition emphasises innovation, precision, and creativity, with winners gaining global recognition and advancing to the WFC Final Table for a chance to claim the ultimate title.

His participation marks the first time Kadai and British live-fire cooking have taken centre stage in the U.S., which was an exciting moment for all!

British Live Fire Cooking Champion 2024

Mark Hammond

Why did you enter the BLFCC?

It just felt right up my street. Always up for a challenge, I live in Bridgnorth 25mins from Ludlow, I know the significance of the food festival, I champion the local area and the excellent produce available. I've always been an advocate of being outside and cooking with fire, so it seemed an excellent opportunity to combine all of these.

Ultimately, there was nothing to loose and an excellent opportunity to gain!

Next step for Mark is the World Food Championships in Indianapolis, this November. We wish him the best of luck and can't wait to see what he produces!

Missed it?

First Ever British Live Fire Cooking Championships Ignite at Ludlow Food Festival! 

Ludlow, UK – September 2024

The heat was on at the Kadai Fire Stage as the first-ever British Live Fire Cooking Championships unfolded at the renowned Ludlow Food Festival. From September 13th to 15th, the live fire finalists Joe Gregory, Wayne Smith, and Mark Hammond, competed head-to-head in a sizzling contest filled with flavour, flair, and fire mastery. 

Hosted by the charismatic DJ BBQ, the competition attracted passionate food lovers eager to witness the finest in live-fire cooking. With each round providing a unique culinary challenge, contestants battled to impress the expert judges and the lively crowd at every turn. 

The panel of esteemed judges brought a wealth of expertise and passion to the competition. Adam Purnell (Shropshire Lad) from Embers Café lent his fire-cooking mastery alongside Murph from the Beefy Boys and Sarit Packer & Itamar Srulovich from London’s beloved Honey & Co Restaurant. Kate Humble, celebrated broadcaster and food enthusiast, and Genevieve Taylor, renowned live fire chef brought their culinary expertise . And finally, Sam & Shauna, known for their BBQ brilliance, adding their signature flair to ensure the competition’s dishes were judged with expert eyes. 

Round 1: Friday, September 13th – Friday Night Fakeaway 

The contestants kicked off by reinventing takeaway classics over live fire, presenting flame-grilled take on fish and chips, delicious kebabs, and creative curries. Joe Gregory showcased his inventive style, while Mark Hammond and Wayne Smith delivered deliciously diverse takes on traditional favourites. 

Round 2: Saturday, September 14th – Fridge Raider 

The second round ramped up the pressure with the surprise ingredients revealed just 15 minutes before the contestants started cooking. Wayne Smith gave an impressive performance and the scores were tight, but was ultimately knocked out, leaving Joe Gregory and Mark Hammond to move on to the final showdown. 

Round 3: Sunday, September 15th – Ludlow Food Festival 30th Anniversary Meal 

The grand finale tasked Joe Gregory and Mark Hammond with creating their best two-course celebration meal. After a thrilling battle, it was Mark Hammond’s fire-cooked creativity that earned him the title of British Live Fire Cooking Champion. 

As ongoing sponsors of the Fire Stage, Kadai’s versatile barbecues and cookware accessories, set the stage for this exciting culinary spectacle, celebrating the rich tradition of live-fire cooking using local charcoal and wood supplied by Love Logs.

We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who entered the British Live Fire Cooking Championships, to those who came to watch and cheer on the contestants, and to everyone who supported the competition behind the scenes. Your enthusiasm, energy, and passion for live-fire cooking made the event truly special. We couldn’t have done it without you, and we look forward to seeing you all again next year for another unforgettable culinary celebration!

Our Finalists!

Click on the images below to find out more about each finalist and a description of the dish they cooked that got them to the final!

Mark Hammond

Joe Gregory

Wayne Smith

& a huge well-done to our Semi-Finalists!

We had some insane entries this year and everyone that entered did so well. We just wanted to give an extra-special thanks to all of our Semi-Finalists below and we hope to see you next year!

Click on each picture to find out more about their dish.