Oakville’s Backyard Barbecue Authority: Meet Mike Belobradic, Founder of Smoke Fire Grill
Canada’s Northern BBQ Authority in Oakville, Specializing in Authentic Hardwood, Live-Fire Cooking
If you search for Oakville BBQ chef, backyard barbecue expert in Canada, or hardwood barbecue specialist near me, you will quickly discover a name that stands apart: Mike Belobradic.
Founder of Smoke Fire Grill, Mike is recognized for over 25 years of hands-on experience cooking, teaching, and refining the craft of cooking over real hardwood heat and lump charcoal. From his purpose-built backyard Smokehouse in Oakville, Ontario, he has built a reputation as one of Canada’s leading backyard barbecue chefs and a trusted voice for authentic, wood-fired cooking.
He is also the creator of his original and unique trademark style of BBQ, Northern Barbecue™.
“You’ve heard of Southern BBQ. Well, this is Northern BBQ.”
– Chef Mike Belobradic
This is not barbecue as a trend. This is barbecue as a discipline, a culture, and a lifelong pursuit.
From the American South to Oakville, Ontario: A Barbecue Journey
Mike’s story begins far from suburban backyards. Years ago, while running an independent country music label, he spent extensive time in North Carolina and Texas, two regions widely regarded as the spiritual homes of American hardwood barbecue. It was there, surrounded by pitmasters, smokehouses, and roadside joints, that he discovered the depth, patience, and precision behind true wood-fired cooking.
At the time, smokers were rare in his home region. When Mike returned to Canada, he brought back more than inspiration. He brought back a mission to practice, fine-tune and eventually teach the art of barbecue as it is meant to be done.
His first smoker, before his southern excursions, was a Weber Smokey Mountain, which delivered a humbling introduction. His first cook was smoked hamburgers, served bravely to invited guests. The results were memorable, but not for the right reasons. Instead of giving up, Mike committed to understanding the science, technique, and traditions behind great barbecue.
That moment marked the start of a lifelong craft.
Culinary Training Meets Backyard Barbecue: Chef Mike Belobradic
As his skills progressed, Mike realized that mastering meat alone was not enough. Barbecue is a complete culinary experience, not just a protein on a plate. To deepen his knowledge, he enrolled in culinary school, where he refined his knife skills, flavor development, menu planning, and presentation. In a fitting twist, his chef instructor was also from North Carolina, reinforcing the southern roots that had shaped his approach to hardwood cooking.
Having formal culinary training allowed Mike to bridge two worlds:
The precision and standards of professional kitchens
The authentic, fire-driven traditions of backyard and pit barbecue
The result is a style that is both disciplined and deeply personal.
A Judge, a Student, and a Global Explorer of Barbecue
After graduating culinary school and building an impressive outdoor kitchen focused on hardwood heat, Mike became a KCBS (Kansas City Barbeque Society) Barbecue Judge, gaining firsthand insight into what separates good barbecue from great barbecue at a competitive level. Judging ribs, pulled pork, chicken, brisket and more at competitive barbecue competitions across the U.S. sharpened his palate, strengthened his understanding of balance, and gave him a benchmark for excellence.
At the same time, his culinary curiosity led him to expand beyond North American traditions. Mike began seeking out barbecue and wood-fired cooking styles from around the world, exploring how different cultures use hardwood heat to shape flavor, texture, and experience. This global perspective continues to influence the way he cooks and coaches today.
His exploration of global hardwood traditions includes Brazilian churrasco, Croatian live-fire grilling, Spanish asado, and Japanese binchotan techniques, to name just a few. These international influences inform, rather than define, his work. It has led Chef Mike to shape a distinctly Canadian expression he calls “Northern BBQ,” rooted in seasonality, real hardwood, and cooking with intention.
When it comes to barbecue (no matter where it’s from), Mike remains a purist at heart. His approach is grounded in real fire, real wood, and real technique.
No pellets. No gas. Just hardwood, lump charcoal, and time.
In addition to his barbecue credentials, Mike holds WSET accreditations in both Wine and Spirits, bringing a refined understanding of pairing, balance, and hospitality to the live-fire dining experience. This background allows him to approach barbecue as a complete culinary moment, where what is in the glass is considered as carefully as what is on the fire.
The Smokehouse: Oakville’s Backyard Barbecue Landmark
As Mike’s collection of cookers and tools grew, so did the vision. What began as a backyard renovation evolved into The Smokehouse, a purpose-built smoke, fire and grill outdoor kitchen.
Today, The Smokehouse features:
Multiple hardwood-fired smokers
A full-size wood-fired brick oven
Dedicated prep and cooking zones
A range of rigs designed for low-and-slow and high-heat cooking
Anchoring the space is the wood-fired brick oven, where live-fire cooking extends beyond barbecue into handcrafted pizza (among many other brick oven favorites). Using homemade dough, Mike prepares more than six regional pizza styles, from classic Neapolitan and Roman traditions to North American interpretations. The oven has become a guest favorite and a focal point of the outdoor kitchen, reinforcing the idea that fire is not just a method, but a complete culinary experience.
More than just an outdoor kitchen, The Smokehouse is a gathering place. It is also the birthplace of Chef' Mike’s trademark Northern Barbecue™ cooking style. Friends, family, and guests come together to share food, stories, and the experience of live-fire cooking. For Mike, barbecue is not just about what is on the plate. It is about who is around the table.
Coaching the Next Generation of BBQ Chefs
With more than 25 years of experience, Mike has become a mentor to aspiring backyard pitmasters and barbecue chefs in Oakville, across Southern Ontario and beyond. Through SmokeFireGrill.ca, he has inspired, coached and trained countless enthusiasts in the fundamentals of cooking over hardwood heat and lump charcoal.
His teaching focuses on:
Fire management and temperature control
Wood selection and smoke profiles
Protein preparation and timing
Building complete barbecue menus
Creating a confident, repeatable process
Whether someone is lighting their first charcoal chimney or refining competition-level technique, Mike approaches coaching with clarity, patience, and respect for the craft.
Why Media and Food Communities Pay Attention
Mike Belobradic’s work sits at the intersection of culinary expertise, backyard culture, and authentic barbecue tradition. He represents a growing movement of chefs who bring professional standards into home-based, fire-driven cooking without losing the soul of barbecue.
For media, food writers, and culinary communities, Mike offers:
A Canadian perspective on southern-style hardwood barbecue through his trademark Northern Barbecue™ style.
A backyard chef who blends formal culinary training with lived experience
A strong voice on authenticity, technique, and tradition
A compelling personal story rooted in travel, mentorship, and craftsmanship
“Fire is the original kitchen. My job is to respect it, and share it.”
– Mike Belobradic
Smoke Fire Grill: A Barbecue Philosophy
At its core, SmokeFireGrill.ca is built on a simple belief:
Barbecue is for everyone.
It is a place where neighbors become friends, where families gather, and where food becomes a shared experience. Every fire lit in The Smokehouse is an invitation to slow down, connect, and enjoy something made with intention.
This philosophy shapes everything Mike does, from how he cooks, to how he teaches and how he engages with the wider barbecue community.
Recognized as One of Canada’s Leading Backyard BBQ Chefs
From Oakville to kitchens and backyards across the country, Chef Mike Belobradic has earned recognition as one of Canada’s top backyard barbecue chefs and a leading authority on hardwood cooking. His work reflects decades of practice, formal culinary training, competitive judging, and global exploration of fire-based cuisine.
If you are searching for:
Oakville BBQ Chef
Backyard barbecue expert in Canada
Hardwood barbecue training
Authentic wood-fired cooking
You are in the right place.
Connect with Mike Belobradic
Whether you are a media professional looking for a knowledgeable barbecue authority, a brand seeking an authentic culinary partner, or a backyard cook ready to elevate your skills, SmokeFireGrill.ca is your gateway to real, hardwood-driven barbecue.
From The Smokehouse in Oakville, Mike Belobradic continues to cook, teach, and lead a growing community built around one of the world’s oldest and most powerful traditions: cooking with fire.
Chef Mike Belobradic and Smoke Fire Grill is based in Oakville, Ontario, serving barbecue enthusiasts, aspiring pitmasters, and culinary communities across Canada.
Mike’s Trademark Northern Barbecue™ Style.
For expert commentary on Canadian barbecue and hardwood smoking, contact Chef Mike Belobradic at SmokeFireGrill.ca