What has happened in 2026 to SParkyBBQ?
Well, if you follow on Instagram you will see there has been only a few cooks. A lot has happened and is still to happen.
First up, lets get the big one out the way.
I am currently taking anti-depressants.
There has been much going on which has contributed to this.
First up, 2025 was NON-STOP for us, was so physically demanding that I had to take steps as I knew I had hit my limits.
It actually all started with a job offer in November that came quite out of the blue (I was contacted). It’s with a start up, someone I know and the product is incredible, however, that job as still not started (SOON I HOPE).
As part of my mental health, knowing this job was coming, I quit my second job in the church. This has financial implications but I had to do it. It was the second job that took so much of my time and was quite demanding.
It was a weight off my mind knowing I now had no responsibility for that job, as time has gone on though, the financial implications of doing that have grown & grown and because the new job has still not come, it was really getting me down and anxious.
I spoke with the doctor about it, they agreed that medication was the right answer for now. I also asked for a referral for Adult Autism and ADHD. There are quite a few signs of this for me and just want to know if there really is something there. I am on a long list.
So yes, there’s that, but I’m doing ok.
Having been able to take a step back, we’ve relaxed…a little.
We have been camping 4 times this year at Competitions
Competition List:
- Twin Smoke in Vilnius, Lithuania (stayed in a Spa Resort)
- The Belgisch BBQ Weekend in Boom, Belgium (stayed in an Ibis)
- The Whole Hog in Pickering, UK (camped)
- The Lazy Buzzards Cook Off, Skegness, UK (camped in a bell tent)
- Smoke & Fire Festival, Malton, UK (stayed in a hotel) – Event Called Off at the last min, more on that later)
- Beefstock, Hereford, UK (camped)
- Smoke on the Waters – The Return, Umberleigh, UK (camped)
- The Angry Shrimp BBQ Contest – Still to happen at time of this post, will be. a day visit.
We’ve fully embraced camping life, including buying a camping stove…we even took our firepit to Smoke on the waters.
Why was Smoke & Fire Festival called off. We had a mad heatwave and this was causing wildfires (or rather dumb people were causing them mostly) and the government put out a warning not to have BBQ’s.
The council pulled the plug on the festival after that warning, literally 12 hours before the festival opened.
Was this the right choice, IMHO, nope but it is what it is.
We’ve enjoyed all the competitions this year, have eaten some amazing food and already looking forward to comps next year (Croatia anyone?)
What have I cooked?
Briskets (yes, 2 this year)
Pulled Pork
Ribs
Chicken Wings
Chicken Thighs
Moinks
Pork Belly
Pork Belly Burnt Ends
Smash Burgers
Oh, and a Suckling Pig (much better than the last time!)
Still to come
Steak
Pork Loin
Christmas Gammon (somehow)
Hopefully, next year will be a better year