Diva Q's Barbecue by Danielle Bennett – Paperback Cookbook

Diva Q's Barbecue is a paperback cookbook by Canadian competition pitmaster and BBQ Crawl host Danielle 'Diva Q' Bennett, packed with 195 backyard recipes for cooking with family, friends and fire on any grill or smoker. It starts with the six recipes she reckons everyone should know, then runs all the way from appetisers to dessert.

Big-hearted backyard barbecue

Danielle Bennett spent three seasons on the road hosting BBQ Crawl, eating, judging and competing her way across the US. This book distils all that into friendly, achievable recipes for real families and real crowds. Bacon gets its own chapter, which tells you everything about her priorities.

What's inside

It opens with the six recipes Diva Q says you need to know most, then moves through appetisers, pork, bacon, beef, fowl, seafood, sides, salads and slaws, breads and desserts. Icons flag direct and indirect cooking, so you can follow along on a kettle, gas grill or smoker, and barbecue great Ted Reader writes the foreword.

There are plenty of meat-free options too, like Portobello-Cheddar Burgers and Smokin' Good Sweet Potatoes with Bourbon Butter, plus a mac and cheese built for the grill. Beyond the recipes she covers getting great char marks and choosing the right meat.

Who it's for

Family cooks, weekend grillers and anyone feeding a crowd. It's one of the most beginner-friendly books in our range, and competition-minded cooks will still find a few tricks worth pinching.

About Danielle Bennett (Diva Q)

Danielle Bennett, aka Diva Q, is one of Canada's highest-ranked competitive barbecue cooks and the host of BBQ Crawl. She has appeared on Food Network, Travel Channel, BBQ Pitmasters and Chopped Grill Masters, and splits her time between Barrie, Ontario, and Lakeland, Florida.

The Rub Smuggler's Verdict

Every fridge needs a slab of bacon and every shelf needs this book. Diva Q has crammed 195 recipes in here, but the bacon chapter, her claim to fame, is the one I'd guard with my life. Grab a copy and your family barbecues will run smoother, tastier and with a lot more crackle. Pair it with Wing Crush by Paula Stachyra for game-day wings and BBQ Companion from Ben O'Donoghue for an Aussie backyard lens. A shake of Meat Church Honey Bacon keeps the theme rolling.

Questions answered

Who wrote Diva Q's Barbecue?

Diva Q's Barbecue was written by Danielle Bennett, better known as Diva Q, host of BBQ Crawl and one of Canada's highest-ranked competitive barbecue cooks.

How many recipes are in Diva Q's Barbecue?

There are 195 recipes, from six must-know basics through appetisers, pork, bacon, beef, fowl, seafood, sides, breads and desserts.

Is Diva Q's Barbecue good for beginners?

Yes. It's written for family backyard cooking and explains basics like char marks and choosing meat.

Is Diva Q's Barbecue a paperback, and how many pages?

Yes. It's a 288-page paperback published by Appetite by Random House in 2016.

Can I cook from Diva Q's Barbecue on a gas grill?

Yes. The book works across all kinds of barbecues and grills, with icons marking direct and indirect cooking.