Steven Raichlen

Steven Raichlen is an American culinary writer, journalist, television host, and lecturer recognized for his influence on the modern barbecue movement. Raichlen received a Thomas J. Watson Foundation Fellowship to study medieval cooking in Europe and trained at Le Cordon Bleu and La Varenne cooking schools in Paris, providing a foundation for his interest in live-fire cooking and global grilling techniques. Before focusing on barbecue, Raichlen worked as a French literature scholar, medievalist, translator at a Parisian cooking school, restaurant critic, and wine and spirits writer.

Raichlen is the author of 32 books, including international bestsellers such as "The Barbecue Bible," "How to Grill," "Planet Barbecue," and "Project Smoke." "The Barbecue Bible," based on extensive research and travel, received an IACP Julia Child Award. His books have sold more than 6 million copies, won five James Beard Awards and three IACP Julia Child Awards, and have been translated into 17 languages. In "The Brisket Chronicles," Raichlen explores global methods of preparing brisket, while his novel "The Hermit of Chappaquiddick" marks his entry into fiction. His memoir, "Man on Fire," details his journey from literary scholar to grilling authority.

Raichlen has hosted more than 200 television shows, including the Public Television series "Project Fire," "Project Smoke," and "Primal Grill," as well as "Steven Raichlen's Planet Barbecue." He has appeared on programs and networks including Good Morning America, The Today Show, CBS This Morning, Discovery Channel, Oprah, and CNN. Raichlen also competed on Japanese television, defeating Iron Chef Rokusaburo Michiba in a barbecue-themed competition.

As a journalist, Raichlen contributes to The New York Times, and his work has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, Esquire, GQ, and major food magazines. He is a member of the KCBS Barbecue Hall of Fame and the Taste Awards Hall of Fame. Raichlen has traveled to more than 70 countries on six continents while researching his books on barbecue and grilling.

Raichlen founded Barbecue University, held at the Alisal Guest Ranch in Solvang, California, and has lectured on the history of barbecue at institutions including Harvard, the Library of Congress, and the Smithsonian Institution. He developed the Star Grill by Steven Raichlen restaurant concept for the Windstar cruise line. Raichlen is known for his expertise in barbecue, grilling, and global culinary traditions.