Originally from Brisbane but raised in New Zealand, Hayley Mark’s journey into the world of BBQ and open-fire cooking has been anything but conventional.
A self-described “fussy eater” in her youth, Hayley’s culinary exploration truly began when she moved out of home and spent two years camping across Canada. With limited resources, she discovered the magic of cooking meals over the fire, using nothing more than a household fry pan.
Three years ago, Hayley returned to the Gold Coast, where her father built her a custom smoker from a keg. This simple gesture sparked an unquenchable passion, setting Hayley on a journey to master BBQ and fire cooking.
“My dad and I would have these mini cook-offs. That’s when I realised how much I love this world, and I’ve got my dad to thank for it.”
Whether at home or out in nature, Hayley brings an infectious enthusiasm for creating flavourful, crowd-pleasing dishes. A true adventurer, her favourite places to camp and cook include Bluff Creek in Kenilworth, with its stunning views and dog-friendly vibe, and the beautiful Teewah Beach, where fresh-caught fish makes for unforgettable meals by the sea.
Hayley’s cooking style is grounded in simplicity and flavour, using native Australian herbs to capture the essence of the land. She describes these ingredients as a way to “learn the Australian background through flavours – it’s like going on a journey."
Her camping essentials? Samba briquettes, natural fire lighters, and the newly launched torch - perfect tools for getting a meal started, along with the game-changing fire logs that ensure a steady burn. “You can’t beat cooking up a crispy porchetta and feeding the whole crew.” Hayley says.
When it comes to her go-to setups, Hayley swears by Samba’s Smoke ‘n’ Grill range, which she loves for both its versatility at home and reliability at the campsite. Her cooking methods vary from low-and-slow on her pellet smoker to fast and intense over lump charcoal with each technique tailored to the flavours she wants to bring out.
For Hayley, barbecuing is not only about creating great food; it is also about the memories created around the fire, bringing people together and celebrating the spirit of outdoor cooking.
Follow her journey on @rise_and_grill and @hayley_and_hodge to experience her inspiring approach to barbecue.
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