Sunshine, soulful beats and a sizzling grill… the classic barbecue remains a culinary summer staple.
And who better to ask for his BBQ tips than meat master Richard H. Turner: Butcher, chef and restaurateur extraordinaire?
Trained by kitchen icons such as the Roux brothers, Pierre Koffmann and Marco Pierre White, the self-described ‘ethical carnivore’ is famed for his internationally renowned Hawksmoor restaurant group, as well as London-based food festival Meatopia and various outings as a food writer.
Visiting Ibiza to man the coals at the five-day Beat Hotel Ibiza pop-up, Richard H. Turner took some time out from grill duties to share his juicy tips for the perfect BBQ and his restaurant hotlist on the island…
What is your connection to Ibiza?
I’ve been coming here for thirty years and have friends and family on the island. And also, I opened a restaurant with Abel Matutes some eight or nine years ago.
How did the collaboration with Beat Hotel come about?
I already knew some of the team through my festival Meatopia in London, and I work with another one here on the island, so when they suggested it I obviously jumped at the chance to come back!
What are the key ingredients for a good BBQ?
Tip top ingredients, great charcoal and wood, time and patience. Over decades of cooking you learn that a truly great barbecue isn’t quick, it takes time.
And what about the beverages – beers, wine or cocktails?
Not my area of expertise, but then, thanks to my friends in gastronomy, it really doesn’t need to be.
The Balearics are famous for their fresh, local produce. Where did you source the ingredients for the Beat Hotel BBQ?
I’m slightly geeky in my ‘locavoreism’, and try really hard to source as much as possible from the Balearics. Luckily I’ve built up a small network of suppliers over the years, but I won’t share them – sorry, not sorry!
When you have a BBQ with your friends, do you let other people handle the grill?
Actually yes, my BBQ with friends is called Meatopia and I definitely let other people handle the grills…
And what is on your summer BBQ playlist?
I’m lucky enough to know the Groove Armada boys, so I think it’s their albums! And I have a nostalgic soft spot for the original Café Del Mar album, too.
Ibiza’s food scene has exploded in the past years, and continues to evolve. Where do you like to eat on the island?
I have way too many favourites!
Obviously I love Casa Jondal, who doesn’t, and the new (old) kid on the block is Sa Capella – it’s near perfect! I’m slightly biassed, but actually anything by the Mambo Group works for me.
I also love the stalwarts of the island, like Sa Caleta, Can Pilot and Cas Pages. El Zaguan in town is bloody marvellous… there’s too many to list. Ibiza has some of the best food in Spain in my book.
But my absolute favourite? A small Uruguayan restaurant in San Carlos called… San Carlos Bar Restaurante! They cook meat over live fire, what else is there to say?
For more information on the travelling Beat Hotel event series and its next pop-up visit www.beat-hotel.com or follow on Instagram at @beat_hotel. To stay up to date with Richard H. Turner check out his Instagram at @richardhturner.
Credit: Food imagery via Cala Gracioneta, another great Mambo Group eatery!
