Next year’s Meatstock festival is hosting the best names in barbecue and it doesn’t get much bigger than Moe Cason and Hillbilly Wes. These two smokin’ pitmasters will be heading to New Zealand with the festival to run barbecue classes and demonstrations for both competitors and the public.
Moerlando 'Big Moe' Cason, fan favourite on BBQ Pitmasters, has appeared as a judge and finalist on the US hit show, where he competed against some of the biggest names in barbecue worldwide. Big Moe, a navy veteran and Iowa native, entered his first barbecue competition over 10 years ago and was hooked ever since, with over 130 competitions under his belt.
“What initially was a hobby is a way of life. I am passionate about maintaining the integrity of barbecue by cooking with authenticity, using simple recipes and honouring the history of barbecue,” stated Big Moe.
“I can’t wait for Meatstock NZ! It’s a passionate foodie nation, renowned for producing quality beef and lamb and I look forward to passing on my hot tips to the Kiwi barbecue community."
Australia’s celebrity pitmaster and Good Food AU winner Hillbilly Wes will also be heading to New Zealand for Meatstock and the owner of barbecue restaurant Bovine and Swine Barbecue Co in Sydney is pretty pumped about it.
“It is awesome to see the barbecue movement gaining real traction in New Zealand and Meatstock brings the nation's barbecue community together in one big rocking festival. Things are going to get messy!” enthused Hillbilly Wes.
Over 22 teams from across New Zealand and counting will be battling it out at the first ever Meatstock NZ barbecue wars for $8,000 in cash and prizes and more importantly to be crowned the best barbecuers in the land.
The pro-protein festival is taking place in Auckland from the 25th-26th February, featuring bands and barbecues, beards and barbers, butchers, bourbon and plenty of beer.
