Texas BBQ: Pitmasters by Firedoor and Let's Texas

Travel Texas and Firedoor are bringing a landmark Texas pitmaster series to Sydney this May, uniting Firedoor's Lennox Hastie and Austin-based pitmaster Kareem "KG" El-Ghayesh of KG BBQ for four events across a long weekend of smoke, brisket, honky tonk and fire-forward dining. Two of the world's great live fire cooks, together in Sydney for the first time.

Taking place across Sydney Brewery Rozelle and Firedoor restaurant from 1 to 4 May, the series spans four unmissable events: a honky tonk feast complete with live country music and two-step, a brisket 101 masterclass, a public Texas-style cookout, and an intimate five-course collaboration dinner at Firedoor. This marks KG's first-ever visit to Australia, and Sydney's first real taste of what's been turning heads in Texas.

For Sydneysiders who have ever wanted to know what all the fuss is about the smoke rings, the rubs, the low-and-slow techniques of barbecue, this is the weekend to find out. Seats are limited and going fast.

Event schedule

Friday 1 May: Honky Tonk (waitlist only)

• Sydney Brewery Rozelle, from 6pm.

• A share style BBQ feast, complete with Swamp Dawkins country band and two-step line dancing, featuring classic Central Texas-style smoked brisket alongside KG's signature fusion.

• Expect sizzling pits, crowd pleasing plates and honky tonk energy deep into the night.

• Tickets include a special Firedoor x Sydney Brewery collab beer or Tito’s Handmade Vodka cocktail on arrival. Strictly 18+.

Saturday 2 May: Brisket 101 Masterclass (waitlist only)

• Sydney Brewery Rozelle, 9am.

• Guests step behind the smoker for an intimate live demo masterclass with Lennox and KG, hosted by food writer Myffy Rigby.

• Learn the art of smoking a legendary brisket, from choosing and trimming the cut to wrapping, resting and slicing, followed by a Q&A covering technique, wood, timing and regional BBQ styles.

• Includes tasting and a Firedoor x Sydney Brewery collab beer.

Saturday 2 May: Saturday Social (Free entry)

• Sydney Brewery Rozelle, from 2pm until sold out.

• The Saturday Social is free entry, with the option to register for a free ticket to go into the draw to win a BBQ meat tray to take home on the day (valued at $250). We recommend arriving early - once the meat's gone, it's gone. Competition T&Cs here.

• Watch Lennox and KG at the smoker and sink your teeth into Texas style barbecue with an Egyptian twist, with a Messina gelato pop-up, live music and cold beers rounding out the afternoon.

Monday 4 May: KG Meats Firedoor (waitlist only)

• Firedoor restaurant, from 6pm.

• The Firedoor team welcomes KG into their fire fuelled kitchen for an intimate collaboration dinner. A curated five course experience bringing together the duo's backgrounds, storytelling, and artistry in fire forward cuisine.

Tickets for all public events are on sale now via the Firedoor website here.

Limited seats are available across all sessions.

Getting to Texas has never been easier, event partner American Airlines offers direct flights to Dallas-Fort Worth from Brisbane (October – March), as well as Sydney and Melbourne (codeshare with Qantas). Visit aa.com for more information.