Steven Raichlen

Author, journalist, lecturer, and TV host, Steven Raichlen is the man who launched the barbecue revolution. His 32 books include the international blockbusters "The Barbecue Bible," "How to Grill," the New York Times bestselling "Planet Barbecue," and "Project Smoke." In "The Brisket Chronicles," Raichlen explores how this epic meat is prepared around the world, from Texas barbecue to Jewish pastrami to Vietnamese pho. His latest book, "How to Grill Vegetables," focuses on global plant-based grilling. Raichlen’s books have won five James Beard Awards and three IACP Julia Child Awards and have been translated into 17 languages.

Raichlen hosts the popular TV shows "Steven Raichlen’s Project Fire" and "Project Smoke," "Primal Grill," and "Barbecue University" on American Public Television. His new show, "Steven Raichlen’s Planet Barbecue®" –focused on global grilling — launched on Memorial Day, 2023. Raichlen also stars in several French-language TV shows, including "Le Maître du Grill" and "Les Incontournables du BBQ." His Italian TV show, "Steven Raichlen Grills Italy," airs on Gambero Rosso. An award-winning journalist, Raichlen writes regularly for The New York Times. His work has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, Esquire, GQ, and all the major food magazines. In 2015, he was inducted into the KCBS Barbecue Hall of Fame.

In 2021, Raichlen launched Planet Barbecue®, a line of ready to heat and eat barbecue and grilled foods. He also created the Steven Raichlen Signature lines of grilling accessories and seasonings. His latest venture is a new restaurant concept: the Star Grill by Steven Raichlen for the Windstar cruise line. Raichlen founded Barbecue University®, now held at the Alisal Guest Ranch in Solvang, California, and has lectured on this history of barbecue at institutions as diverse as Harvard, the Library of Congress, and the Smithsonian Institution.

Raichlen holds a degree in French literature from Reed College in Portland, Oregon, and studied medieval cooking in Europe on a Thomas J. Watson Foundation Fellowship. He was also awarded a Fulbright. When not grilling, you’ll find him at the helm of his sailboat, Barbacoa. He and his wife, Barbara, live in Miami and Martha’s Vineyard.