Wild & Fired BBQ School

THE LO & SLO STORY

During a challenging time when Norman fell ill, our family rediscovered the importance of prioritising togetherness and following our passions. Cooking became more than nourishment; it became a way to slow down and connect as a family.

Our journey began with a Food Truck, over the years we have served thousands of guests and refined a collection of sauce and seasoning recipes to an award-winning standard.

We’ve since launched our next venture - Wild & Fired BBQ School - our in-person foraging, dining and live fire workshops based at the historic Brook Hall Estate & Gardens in Derry. This experience has now been awarded the first ever 'Green Award' from the Independent Cookery Schools Association for it's commitment to sustainable food sourcing and waste reduction.

We have continued to develop the space by building an outdoor kitchen and dinning space with custom and high quality equipment. This expansion has enabled us to host private and corporate parties of various sizes. It's the perfect setting to gather and connect with friends, family and co-workers alike as our team performs live fire cooking techniques on local produce before your very eyes.

Join us as we celebrate the art of slow cooking, and the enchantment of our beautiful natural surroundings, and connecting over the love of good food.

THE VALUES THAT FUEL OUR FIRE

CONNECTION & EDUCATION

We provide a welcoming space for people to experience a sense of renewal & well-being. By learning new skills, guests build deeper connections with themselves, each other, and the land.

LOCAL & artisanal PRODUCE

We prioritise locally sourced, seasonal ingredients from trusted farmers and producers. Every dish celebrates the rich flavours of our region, enabling our guests to 'Taste the Landscape'.

QUALITY EQUIPMENT & EXPERT GUIDES

Get hands-on experience & master ancient cooking techniques using state-of-the-art grilling equipment, expertly guided every step of the way by our passionate BBQ specialists.

Intimate Communal Dining

Enjoy the fruits of your labour with a communal feast! Savour every smoky bite, & celebrate your culinary triumphs together—an unforgettable way to strengthen team bonds and create lasting memories.

SUSTAINABILITY & RESPONSIBLE SOURCING

Roasted cauliflower on a wooden cutting board with a blurred background
business ethics

our priorities

Whilst we're delivering delicious food, award winning products and memorable BBQ school experiences, we're also being mindful of our responsibility to the wider community. We strive to foster and contribute to a better future for all. Part of this is prioritising the following responsible practices:

Sourcing: Local, organic, and ethically-sourced ingredients reduce our carbon footprint.

Waste Reduction: Recycling, composting, reusable containers, and eco-friendly packaging minimise waste.

Energy Efficiency: We invest in energy-efficient equipment to minimise environmental impact.

Water Conservation: We follow water-efficient practices and educate our staff on reducing water waste.

Community Engagement: We support local sustainability initiatives and give back to our local community.

Continuous Improvement: We are always learning and regularly review our practices to further reduce our impact.

COOKING UP CONNECTION

As a business, we strive to embody values of authenticity, connection, and creative exploration - encouraging a wholesome approach to cooking, sharing and savouring exceptional food experiences. We’re here to share flavourful moments that inspire a lifestyle where genuine connections, celebration, and culinary exploration thrive.

We’re a blend of contrasts at our core — ancient and modern, gritty and refined - you’ll find us embracing diverse flavours and textures with creativity as our guiding tool.

Dedicated to crafting wholesome, additive-free, and high-quality food, we love sharing experiences that encourage our community to indulge in the art of slowing down, relishing real food, and nurturing connections. 

Our secret ingredients? Making every meal an adventure, turning gatherings into cherished celebrations, and connecting hearts over the love of good food.

Have a Question?

Got general questions, feedback, or simply want to chat about all things BBQ?
We'd love to hear from you!

Accreditations & Accolades

Wild & Fired experiences have been awarded a prestigious accreditation for their exceptional teaching standards and facilities, from the Independent Cookery Schools Association (ICSA). This is a first for the industry as it also recognises their sustainability credentials and exceptional outdoor cookery experiences.

Emily was awarded both the 'Local Food Hero, Derry' by the Irish Restaurant Awards 2024 and 'Street Food of The Year - Ulster Winner' in the Yes Chef Awards 2024.

Emily has also been recognised as a 'Platinum Level Innovator' by Invest NI, as well as being a finalist in the Great British Entrepreneur Awards and TedX.

Lo & Slo is a proud member of Slow Food Movement, Food NI, and Legenderry Food Network.  

Great British Entrepreneur Award
Irish Restaurant Award 2024
Northern Ireland Embrace a Giant Spirit
Our FoodNI Power of Good
Legenderry Great Place - Great Taste
Yes Chef Irish Award

AWARD-WINNING

Our sauce & seasoning collection has been recognised by some of the key food industry bodies, including the Irish Food Awards (Blas na hEireann) whom in 2019 awarded Lo & Slo Bronze and Silver Awards for our Original BBQ Sauce and our Chilli Mop Sauce. As well as more recently, Gold and two Silvers at the Great British Food Awards 2023. 

Great British Food Gold Award 2024
Great British Food Silver Award 2023
The Irish Food Award Silver 2019
The Irish Food Bronze Award 2019

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