Next Class: April 18th, 2026
What You'll LearnPractical, Real World Barbecue
Students will learn the fundamental frameworks of Offset & Direct Heat wood-fired barbecue in an end-to-end real time cooking experience. Practical skills are taught to fit into various lifestyles & cooking journeys.
The class is designed to cater to a wide range of skill level, equipment and budgets in order to fit into day to day backyard barbecue
Bases and Specifics Covered
Topics Include:
Why offset & direct heat barbecue are different and how to use each method
Distinguishing types of charcoal/wood
Simple butchery and seasoning
Learning broad, principle based skills to duplicate on their own equipment
How to utilize cooked leftovers & trim byproduct
Wrapping, resting and slicing
Student Led. Student Focused
A completely hands on class where students will:
- Do their own butchery
-Learn how to and will run offset & direct heat barbecue pits
-Cook/eat their own foods at the end of the day
Small class sizes are intentional by design. Time is allocated for 1-on-1 attention to students by walking them through each step of the process throughout the day.
What's all Included:Offset & Direct Heat Style Barbecue Pits For Student Operation
Equipment Allocated For Each Student: Stainless Steel Tables, Cutting Boards & Knives & Gloves
All Meats For Butchery & Cooking
Lunch & Dinner. Students eat what they cook along with other One Oak Barbecue classics
Students Take Home:Individual Leftovers From Student Cooks
Leftover Trim From Butchery With Guides On How To Use It
PDF Recipe Guidelines For All Food Items Used In Class
Specific Gear Guide For All Class Equipment
Meet Your Instructor
Stephen Christopher
-Trained and worked with renowned barbecue chefs/figures including Evan LeRoy of Leroy & Lewis, Matt Register of Southern Smoke BBQ & Will Andrews of Rolling Bones Barbecue.
-Executed Pop-Ups In Charleston throughout 2024 & 2025 at locations including Hobcaw Brewing, Odyssey Bottle Shop & others.
-Involved in acclaimed events such as Charleston Food & Wine, Holy Smokes Barbecue Festival, Lockhart Rising, Appalachian Trail Days, The Marcus King Family Reunion & More.
Your Questions, Answered-
-The foundations class will take place at One Oak Barbecue Headquarters in West Ashley, Charleston, SC. The address, parking information and other details will be provided via email after purchase.
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-Yes. The class is entirely outside and taught in a backyard setting.
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-A 500 Gallon Offset smoker & a Steel Hot Box Direct Heat Smoker.
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Students will trim and cook their own pork spare ribs and whole chickens. This isn’t an in depth “Chicken” or “Ribs” class. This class focuses on learning Offset & Direct Heat barbecue. Both proteins will both be cooked on each type of smoker. Basic butchery, seasoning and cooking methods for ribs & chicken will be taught as an overall part of the learned cooking principles.
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-The Foundations Class is for anybody of any skill level. From beginners looking to start in wood fired barbecue or the person looking to explore direct heat or offset cooking methods.
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-Yes. Initial instructor demonstrations of butchery, seasoning, fire management, etc., are shown to students, who will then do the cooking themselves with 1-on-1 guidance.
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Yep! Students will make their own lunch as part of the class. Dinner is a family style barbecue tray including a few One Oak Barbecue favorites, as well as the proteins students cook.
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The class will be held rain or shine, with available rain covers if necessary.
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-The tentative timeline is approximately 8 hours start to finish
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-Please wear appropriate clothing for the weather and clothing you do not mind being exposed to the inherent characteristics of live fire barbecue. Closed toed shoes are required.
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-No. Given the utilization of live fire elements and their inherent risks, children accompanied by adults are not allowed during this class.
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-We will be using all charcoal/wood fired barbecue pits. Certain fundaments skills taught within this class could translate over to be utilized on pellet smokers, but none will be used or demonstrated during this class.
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Yes! Soon. They’re currently in development. Stay tuned for focused class drops!