Chef Leerae Sellstroom

I’ve loved cooking for as long as I can remember. Over the years I’ve spent endless hours learning, experimenting and perfecting my craft, both at home and professionally. My background includes working with meat preparation, butchery, smoking and barbecue, which gave me a strong understanding of ingredients and flavour and meat cuts from the ground up.

Although I’m known for my love of Texas style barbecue and smoked meats, that’s only one part of what I do. I enjoy cooking everything from hearty comfort food to more refined dishes, and I’m always looking for ways to make a meal perfect. I’m a huge believer that great food doesn’t need to be complicated, it just needs to be done properly.

These days I run my own smoked meats business, where I prepare and sell authentic Texas-style barbecue. Nothing beats seeing people enjoy food you’ve spent hours creating. Whether I’m cooking for a small gathering or a larger event, I put the same care into every dish that leaves my kitchen.

For me, cooking has never just been a job or a business. It’s something I genuinely enjoy. I love feeding people, trying new ideas, working with quality ingredients and creating meals that bring people together around a table.