2 February 2024

A licence to grill: Alpha Fresh hosts first BBQ Driveway Cookout festival

| Lucy Ridge
White truck reading ALPHA.

Alpha Fresh is celebrating all things barbecue at their first BBQ Driveway Cookout. Photo: Alpha Fresh.

Vegetable supply wholesaler Alpha Fresh is hosting their first BBQ Driveway Cookout – a mini food festival they hope to make an annual event.

The free event on Saturday, 3 February, will feature a range of food vendors and cooking demonstrations, as well as a jumping castle, face painting, live music and family-friendly entertainment.

Frank Ianelli is the co-director of Alpha Fresh, which also runs an online fresh food market and delivers to households in the Canberra region.

“It’s like your casual driveway cookout amped up, with a range of mouth-watering food options and entertainment for everyone,” he said.

Man smiles behind BBQ smoker.

Scott Masters will be serving up some delicious slow-cooked meats this weekend. Photo: Smoke Masters BBQ.

Barbecue expert Scott Masters of Smoke Masters BBQ will serve up his multi-award-winning American-style low and slow-cooked meats (with an Aussie twist).

“I’ve watched BBQ grow exponentially over the last 7 to 10 years … in Canberra, the Canberra BBQ Alliance Facebook Group, which was set up by a few of us here, has grown from three people to just under 2000 members over the last 18 months, and COVID had a profound impact on the number of people buying BBQs and Smokers too!” Scott told Region.

“Events like this one at Alpha Fresh on Saturday will show the public that cooking tasty BBQ is something anyone can do with a bit of guidance and that’s what I love about the low and slow world, we always have people that are willing to help out the people new to this method of cooking, and the camaraderie amongst BBQ cooks is just great.”

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If you fancy giving slow-cooked BBQ meats a try at home, there will also be a cooking demonstration from competitive barbecue pro Matt Treloar of Blue Dog BBQ, who will share how you can go from backyard barbecue to champion pitmaster.

Ribs in BBQ

Low and slow is the name of the game for great barbecue meats. Photo: Smoke Masters BBQ.

Alpha Fresh will set up a sausage sizzle and also have fresh seafood platters. They are teaming up with other local businesses like Nonna Maria’s Pasta, Meaty Mate’s authentic Biltong and Palacinke Delicious Crepes, who will all be serving food.

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Beers on tap will be available from Kombi Keg, and The Canberra Distillery will be serving their local spirits, and there will be plenty to keep kids entertained during the day.

“We’re turning up the heat by showcasing the best local producers and produce in a way that’s never been done before. This event is a celebration of our local roots and a nod to our wonderful community,” said Frank Iannelli.

“We’re keeping it close to home by hosting it at our headquarters and have connected with some of our closest comrades to bring it to life.”

Alpha’s Driveway Cookout will be held on Saturday, 3 February, at 16-18 Raws Cres, Hume, from 11 am to 4 pm. Entry is free. Find out more at the Alpha Fresh website.

Original Article published by Lucy Ridge on Riotact.

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