From primal fire to vegetables on the grill

culinaire expeditie06/02/2025

As soon as the sun appears and the temperature rises, we all reach for charcoal, briquettes, or gas. The smell of fire, sizzling meat, and roasted vegetables is as much a part of summer as sand is to the beach. But where does this love for barbecuing actually come from? And how has this tradition evolved from pork belly to smoking cauliflower? In this edition of Culinary Expedition, you will read about the development of the BBQ and today's trends.

Eat 2 gather background

From caveman to backyard grill
The origin of barbecuing literally lies in the fire: preparing food over open flames is as old as humanity itself. Variants developed in different cultures: from the American low & slow tradition to the Argentine asado, Japanese yakitori, or Indonesian satay. The word "barbecue" probably comes from the Taíno word barbacoa, a wooden rack where food was slowly cooked. From South America, the technique and the name spread to North America and the rest of the world.

From Meat Feast to a Wide Variety of Grill Creations
Where the traditional BBQ was all about a lot of meat (preferably as black as possible), we now see a broader view on grilling. The modern BBQ is more creative, healthier, greener, and more international.

Trends We Spot:

  • The Vegetable BBQ – think grilled cauliflower steaks, roasted beets, or eggplant with miso glaze
  • The Fish BBQ – fish packets, octopus over open fire, or scallops on the plancha
  • Worldly Flavors and Rubs – from Korean bulgogi to Mexican elotes (corn) and spice rubs from around the world
  • Live Fire Cooking – cooking without a lid, with fire control as a craft
  • BBQ & Matching Drinks – beer, rosé, bubbles, cocktails, and mocktails. It's all possible! We see more and more BBQs with matching drinks. As long as it's tasty and colorful.


The Barbecue as a Connecting Experience
What makes barbecuing so irresistible? Maybe it's the ritual: gathering around the fire, rolling up your sleeves, sharing food. The smell. The sizzling pan. The slow waiting and then tasting. Whether you're a meat lover or a veggie fan, a seasoned grill master or just love conviviality: the BBQ is for everyone. Barbecuing connects – precisely what Eat2Gather stands for.

In the Mood for a BBQ?
At Eat2Gather, we like to take the barbecue to the next level. Think of a pop-up BBQ in the forest, a live fire chef on location, or an outdoor team-building event where you light the fire yourself. Discover our culinary outdoor arrangements or plan a BBQ experience tailored to you – we are happy to think along with you.

Book your culinary experience at Eat2Gather