Great BBQ Challenge

Age: 27 Lives: VIC Signature dish: Marinated rabbit thighs with mint pineapple

Ivan describes himself as a likeable bloke from Melbourne who enjoys most aspects of entertaining. He’s heavily involved with community theatre, and has also been known to pull out a guitar or short story on occasion. He loves the company of good friends, and believes that a good friend can be found in any stranger. His main pleasures in life are a large meaty meal, a decent supply of booze, and being anywhere in the vicinity of charming ladies. Most of Ivan’s working life has been spent in jobs he has hated. So the weekend is the time when he truly lives, and he likes to spend it in song and amusement. “I’m honestly quite talented at the things I love, but don’t permit myself the liberty to truly believe so. I like to think of myself as a nice, regular fella who breaks the mould.” I'm Australia's Best BBQ'er because: “I have fun with my BBQ and I realise that BBQ cooking is much more than sticking meat on a hot plate. It’s about creating an environment of comfort and ‘stresslessness’ where anyone can feel at home. You have to know how to cook food and care for your barbie, of course, but the meals are just the tip of the BBQ experience. It’s these peripheral qualities that truly aid your BBQ, and I like to think that I am very good at ensuring all these relevant aspects complement each other.”