US BBQ legend set to cook in Scotland for the first time

Pat Martin and Hattem Mattar are part of an impressive lineup at the Meatopia festival, which will make its Scottish debut at SWG3 in Glasgow from June 6 to 8, 2025.

Tickets are available at www.meatopia.co.uk.

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Pat is a pioneering pitmaster known for his West Tennessee-style whole hog BBQ.

Since opening Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint in 2006, he has become a TV personality with appearances on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives and The Today Show.

Pat Martin (Image: Supplied) He said: “I’ve cooked all around the world, but getting the chance to bring a flavour of Martin’s Bar-B-Que to Scotland for the first time will be special.

“I’m excited to cook with some amazing Scottish produce and explore Glasgow’s food scene while I’m there.

“Meatopia is a world-renowned event, and I can’t wait to get involved in the inaugural Scottish show.”

Joining Pat is Hattem Mattar, the world’s first Arab pitmaster, who founded the Mattar Farm in Dubai.

Hattem Mattar (Image: Supplied) He’s known for his fusion of Middle Eastern flavours with traditional American barbecue.

Both cooks will be making their debut in Scotland at the live-fire cooking festival this summer.

They join a line-up of Scottish, UK, and international chefs.

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Chefs and fire cooking experts Melissa Thompson and Maureen Tyne will bring their Caribbean flavours to the festival.

Melissa Thompson and Maureen Tyne (Image: Supplied) Sam Evans and Shauna Quinn, the team behind the popular Hang Fire Southern Kitchen in Wales, will showcase their expertise in Southern-style barbecue.

The “Flamebaster” Chris Roberts, host of BBC’s Chris Cooks Cymru, will also be cooking at the event.

Some of Scotland’s top chefs will also be present, including Nick Watkins (El Perro Negro), Dean Parker (Celentano’s), Roberta Hall-McCarron and Dominic Greechan (The Little Chartroom and Ardfern), and many more.

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Mat Kemp, creative director of the festival, said: “Pat Martin is one of the masters of fire cooking, and we are proud that he will be among the line-up of top chefs at the festival.

“Anyone who has tried his food will know it’s like no other, this is the kind of once-in-a-lifetime experience we always planned to bring to Glasgow.

“I’m also really looking forward to seeing Hattem Mattar again.

“I first enjoyed his food at Meatopia London in 2022 and can’t wait to eat with him in Glasgow.

“The fact these global icons will be alongside world class Scottish chefs will make this event different to anything before.

“Every year, people come back to Meatopia in London because we pull out all the stops – Glasgow is no different.

“There’s much more to come, we’re building an unforgettable festival.”