Southern Smoke Festival 2026 Tickets Are On Sale Now

Join us for an unforgettable experience of incredible food, drinks, and community on Saturday, October 3. This year, almost 100 celebrated chefs, beverage professionals, and hospitality visionaries will come together for an afternoon of world-class bites, libations, live music, immersive experiences, and more, all to raise critical funds for emergency relief and mental health support for food and beverage workers nationwide.

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Chef Image
Austin, TX /
Hardcore Carnivore
WHERE WILL I BE COOKING:
The Throwdown

Jess Pryles is an Australian-born cooking personality who is widely known for her expertise in barbecue, meat and smoking techniques. She is founder of the Hardcore Carnivore brand, which produces a line of meat seasonings and rubs that have gained popularity in the cooking and grilling community. Pryles’ website is one of the highest ranking resources for meat cookery and information on the internet, reaching millions of meat-fans around the globe each year. Her love for barbecue and meat led her to become a member of the Kansas City Barbecue Society, and she has competed in numerous barbecue competitions across America. TV appearances include hosting BBQuest on Hulu, competing on BBQ Pitmasters, and appearing as a featured judge on Iron Chef Canada, MasterChef, and Channel 7’s Aussie Barbecue Heroes.