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De Ultieme Kamado Test

The Ultimate Kamado Test

The ultimate test; what really is the best kamado? LONG READ: IMPORTANT RESEARCH I myself have been cooking on Big Green Egg for many years. Why? Because I discovered, bought and used them first. And I had no reason to...

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In de voetsporen van Phil Rosenthal in Venetië

In the footsteps of Phil Rosenthal in Venice

I'm a fan of the culinary travel show Somebody Feed Phil. Phil Rosenthal is a funny guy (Everybody loves Raymond) and apparently also likes good food. He has been traveling the world for Netflix for 6 years, to make new...

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Hoe maak je pizza op de BBQ

How to make pizza on the BBQ

Pizza on the bbq is super easy and yet it can often fail. Here is the technique that works on any bbq with a lid.   1. Use the right charcoal. You need to use charcoal that ignites quickly and...

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Weet je nog toen houtskool nog gewoon houtskool was?

Remember when charcoal was just charcoal?

When I used to light the bbq, no thought was given to charcoal. My mother probably bought it at the supermarket and took what was there. However, in recent years there has been such a great evolution and there are...

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Mijn vlees heeft een donkere kleur, is dat dan verbrand?

My meat has a dark color, is that burnt?

You sometimes see a very dark piece of meat as a result of a longer low and slow session. Sometimes you may even think it is burnt. But if it is done well, it really adds value.   So, what...

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Ik doe mee aan het Belgisch Kampioenschap Low en Slow BBQ. Help! Deel 10

I am participating in the Belgian Championship Low and Slow BBQ. Help! Part 10

The devil was in the detail! With 2 last minute competitions left in December my first competition year has come to an end and although we could only participate in 1 of these 2 competitions, and that one did not...

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En toen kwam The Professor

And then came The Professor

Sunday, just after noon. We are still recovering and relaxing at the Butt Ranch. In the distance we see a car pulling into the driveway. Someone says, “That's Tuffy.”   Uh, wait? I think Tuffy, here? I think   The...

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The Jack, een bbq wedstrijd die alles heeft veranderd.

The Jack, a BBQ competition that changed everything.

In early August we were told that we had been invited to cook at the Jack, the world championship invitational barbecue. What follows is an account of what it was for me and what it has become since then. Match...

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Ik doe mee aan het Belgisch Kampioenschap Low en Slow BBQ. Help! Deel 9

I am participating in the Belgian Championship Low and Slow BBQ. Help! Part 9

Last weekend it was finally time. Make or break. In the last match of this season, the Championship of Waasland, in Sint Niklaas, there was a gathering. About 25 teams, with even 2 teams from Estonia, competed for a new...

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Nieuwe stijl BBQ and ik ben helemaal fan!

New style BBQ and I'm a total fan!

This year I have of course been busy with low and slow bbq, but there is absolutely nothing wrong with a little grilling, and I have also done some more research on cooking on an Argentinian grill (Parilla). But of...

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We gaan naar het World Championship Invitational Barbecue!

We're going to the World Championship Invitational Barbecue!

How did we end up there again?   Suddenly I got a message on my phone: “You've been pulled!” At first I couldn't believe it, but then I looked in my mailbox: Congratulations! We are so excited that you earned...

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En toen stonden we in de Holy Smoke in Zweden

And then we were in the Holy Smoke in Sweden

Report of a short road trip to the Texas of Sweden.   Suddenly I saw a workshop in my Facebook feed where 2 pitmasters from Texas would explain how they prepare ribs and brisket low and slow. Location: Holy Smoke...

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ABOUT BARBECOA

As a true BBQ enthusiast, Tom Bertels was increasingly consulted by his friends for BBQ tips, which he collected on his blog Barbecoa.be

When he decides to participate in the Belgian Championship Low & Slow BBQ, things go fast! Together with his teammate Dimitri, they become Belgian BBQ Champion in 2022 in the Ribs category. They are also the only Belgian team allowed to go to the World Championship BBQ in Lynchburg, Tennessee, and end up in 4th place with their BBQ sauce! Afterwards, they achieved a 13th place at the World Championship BBQ in Texas, in the Ribs category.

But it didn't stop there. In 2024, Tom will win 3 Belgian titles - not only overall, but also in both the Ribs and Brisket categories. As icing on the cake, he will become Vice European BBQ Champion 2024 in the Brisket category.

Meanwhile, rubs and sauces are being developed and released. These products are not only appreciated locally - they are gaining international recognition.

His Perfect Blend BBQ Sauce wins the Gold Medal at the International Flavor Awards and takes 2nd place at the prestigious American Royal BBQ Sauce Contest.

The Holy Grail rub follows with a Silver Medal at the International Flavor Awards 2025, while its Base for Taste rub previously won a Silver Medal at the International Flavor Awards 2023.

From hobby griller to multiple champion - Tom's journey proves that passion, perfection and perseverance lead to world class results.

Welcome to Barbecoa - where champions share their secrets!