Jon Finch

Jon is the co-founder of Grillstock festivals and smokehouses and the co-author of a cookery book of the same name. The first annual Grillstock festival was launched in 2010 and attracts over 17000 visitors each year. Grillstock also operates five BBQ joints around the country serving smoked meat to more than 5000 people each week.

BBQ is his one passion and beer is the other. He has been brewing craft beer at home for a decade and even has a full draft beer set up in his garden shed with beer taps mounted on the door.

Jon has a no-nonsensewriting style that speaks from the heart and shoots from the hip (or in this case hop) making his text as entertaining as it is informative and accessible. Above all he writes about what he believes in with a passion commitment and authenticity that is infectious.

Ben Merrington

When Jon Finch and Ben Merrington met they discovered a shared passion for American barbecue food & culture. They have traveled the US researching their craft and cooking with the best of the best when it comes to smoked meat. In 2010 they staged the UK's original BBQ and music festival, Grillstock, which celebrates authentic American BBQ culture. In 2012 they opened their first Grillstock Smokehouse and now have a fast growing restaurant business across the UK, whilst still holding annual Grillstock BBQ and music festivals.>