Digbeth Dining Club is bringing back Sear & Smoke, its festival of barbecue and open-fire cooking, with a two-day event at Tudor Grange Park in Solihull on Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 May 2027.
The festival will bring together 15 specialist food traders and live cooking demonstrations, with music, independent businesses and local breweries also part of the weekend.
First held in Birmingham in November 2017, Sear & Smoke returns with an expanded programme celebrating barbecue traditions from around the world, including Argentinian asado, Mexican barbacoa, Caribbean jerk, American BBQ, Indian tandoor, Greek souvlaki, German grillen and gridiron cooking.
Each of the 15 traders will serve £5 tasting dishes alongside full-sized portions, so visitors can try several different cooking styles over the course of a visit.
Demonstration stages will host chefs and barbecue specialists sharing their knowledge of cooking over fire, from traditional grilling techniques to smoking and slow cooking.
The festival will take place in Tudor Grange Park, one of Solihull’s best-known public green spaces, which holds Green Flag accreditation. Its central location, with public transport links and parking nearby, is expected to draw visitors from across the Midlands.
“It’s been nearly ten years since we first brought Sear & Smoke to Birmingham. Back in November 2017, we took over a major venue in Digbeth with twelve of the UK’s best BBQ and meat traders, alongside some brilliant local and national chefs.
Jack Brabant, Co-founder and Director, Digbeth Dining Club
“A lot has changed since then, both in the food scene and in what people want from festivals. We’ve been looking at how we can bring something different to our events, and Sear & Smoke felt like a great one to bring back.
“This time we’re making it a bigger day out. The food is obviously the main attraction, but we also want people to enjoy the music, meet the traders, watch the chefs at work and spend time with friends and family.”
Live bands and DJs will perform throughout the weekend, with an independent traders’ market and bars featuring local breweries also planned.
The return of Sear & Smoke follows a decade of growth for Digbeth Dining Club, which has built up a programme of street food events, venues and festivals across the Midlands, working with independent traders, venues and local partners.
“We’ve also made affordability a big part of the event, with dishes starting from just £5, giving visitors the chance to sample different traders and try a bit of everything.
Jack Brabant, Co-founder and Director, Digbeth Dining Club
“Ultimately, it’s about celebrating the incredible food, drink and creative talent across the West Midlands, while giving people a fantastic experience and real value for money.
“Whether you came along in 2017 or you’re discovering Sear & Smoke for the first time, we want you to make a day of it and leave having found something new.”
The full line-up of food traders, guest chefs, performers and independent businesses for the May weekend will be announced in the coming months.
Publisher of Hospitality and Leisure News, 365 Retail, Retail Source and organiser of the Creative Retail Awards.
