After eight years of striving for glory, Emu Plains’s own Lukas Armstrong has been crowned the 2023 Australian Barbecue Champion.
The 2023 Barbeques Galore Australian Barbecue Championship was a very close battle, with three teams ending the season in a tie, forcing a countback to decide the winner. Lukas, from the Jacks Creek BBQ Team, received his trophy on the 19th of December by the Australasian BBQ Alliance and Barbeques Galore Australia at the local Penrith Barbeques Galore store.
“After coming so close in previous years, it was exciting but relieving at the same time to finally win,” Lukas said. “We were in NZ at a competition when we found out we had won the championship. We had a few quiet drinks that night to celebrate.”
The Championship occurs over twelve months and, in 2023, Lukas and his team competed in 17 competitions, travelling as far south as Melbourne and North/West as Oakey in Queensland.
“Most competitions involve at least a week of preparation, then usually a lot of hours on the road and a ruined sleep pattern,” Lukas said.
While Lukas may wear the crown, he credits the people around him for his success.
“To be the best, you need to surround yourself with the best people, products and services,” said Lukas. “Having the best team around me makes my job so much easier. Companies like Jacks Creek Beef, Scotty at East Blaxland Butcher, Heats Beads, 7sins BBQ with rubs and sauces, Traeger Grills Australia and the list goes on. There are a million people I could mention.”
His goals for 2024 remain the same – to win! However, Lukas has his sights set on international glory.
“We plan on taking it to the USA and winning a competition there, so keep an eye on our socials as we will be doing some BBQ classes to help fund the trip.”
Lukas is always ready to fly the flag for local business, insisting he would not be where he is without them.
“Without the support of so many people and local businesses, we couldn’t do any of this, so please support your local butcher and BBQ supply store.”
To keep up to date with Lukas and support his quest for an international trophy, follow him on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/RollingSmokeQue.