Born in 1980, he developed a passion for cooking at an early age thanks to both his parents — his mother a cook and pastry chef, and his father a pizzaiolo — who sparked his love for the culinary world.
At 18, he began searching for books about barbecue. One in particular captured his attention so deeply that he decided to buy his first grill. From that moment on, he became a true devotee of BBQ.
After many cooking experiences with family and friends, he gained enough confidence and skill to start grilling at private parties and local festivals. When he learned about a new talent show dedicated to BBQ enthusiasts, he decided to audition. Fortune was on his side: he was selected as one of the nine contestants and chose to put his pitmaster skills to the test. It was a unique and unforgettable experience that significantly contributed to his culinary growth, thanks also to the guidance of judges Paolo Parisi, Cristiano Tomei, and Gabriele Rubini (Chef Rubio).
After winning the talent show “I Re della Griglia” (The Kings of the Grill), he had the opportunity to write the book “PASSIONE BARBECUE.” The book is rich in information and recipes inspired by his personal style — simple, approachable, and designed for anyone wishing to explore BBQ culture and its many nuances.
He is currently working on his second cookbook, featuring more complex recipes developed over the years as his culinary knowledge expanded, with the goal of publishing it soon.
Since then, in addition to being the winner of “I Re della Griglia,” he has become:
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WBQA (World Barbecue Association) Regional Champion of Emilia-Romagna
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WBQA Italian Champion
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Judge at regional and Italian WBQA championships
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WBQA Certified Instructor for training new judges
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Competitor at the WBQA World Championship in Morocco
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Member of the official Italian team at the WBQA World Championship in Gothenburg, Sweden, achieving excellent results
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5th overall at the European Championship in Bremen
He has participated in numerous BBQ competitions, earning great satisfaction. With his team, he achieved 1st place overall at the Italian Championships in Varese, including Best in Show for the creative “Chef’s Choice” dish and 2nd place in the Ribs category. In Modena, he replicated the same success with another creative dish, and the team’s combined scores led them to win the championship.
He is currently a certified Pitmaster — a chef specialized in grilling and barbecue.
On social media, he is a micro-influencer within the BBQ niche, with a strong and dedicated following.
Today, whether working solo, with his team, or alongside other chefs, he organizes private dinners, home events, show cooking sessions, step-by-step BBQ courses, corporate team-building events, and special dinners. He provides consulting and collaborations for restaurants wishing to expand their meat offerings, and he teaches on call at the hospitality institute in Ferrara, introducing students to grilling and BBQ techniques to broaden their culinary knowledge.
Every day, he dedicates more time to his passion for cooking and BBQ, creating new dishes that satisfy himself, his guests, and restaurateurs who appreciate this style of cuisine.
Always open to new collaborations and eager to explore different meat cuts and their qualities.
Facebook: Luca Bini (Il Re della Griglia)
Instagram: ilredellagriglia_official
