Seriously Good Barbecue Cookbook: Over 100 of the Best Recipes in the World (Fox Chapel Publishing) Explore BBQ from Texas to Memphis with Brian Baumgartner, aka Kevin Malone from The Office

by Brian Baumgartner

No one takes barbecue more seriously than Brian Baumgartner, aka Kevin Malone from The Office ! Brian Baumgartner (aka Kevin Malone from The Office ) has traveled the world far and wide to bring you a collection of some of the world's most mouth-watering and outrageous BBQ recipes! This ultimate collection of over 100 barbeque recipes includes famous regional styles such as Texas BBQ, Kansas City BBQ, Carolina BBQ, and Memphis BBQ, plus international, vegetarian, and accompanying side dishes, all submitted by home cooks, award-winning chefs, and well-known pitmasters from all corners of the earth. Also included are detailed instructions on how to make the perfect rubs and sauces. If you're new to the world of barbecue, Brian's got you He's included a complete section on the type of wood to use with which type of meat, with an easy-to-follow chart that includes cherry, mesquite, apple, hickory, oak, and more, as well as when to use chunks, chips, sawdust, disks, or pellets. Plus, Brian shares information on using a grill vs smoker, cooking times, a bit of BBQ history, and his own top secret Barbecue Chicken that leaves everyone speechless and begging for more! For every home barbecue master who is serious about their BBQ, Seriously Good Barbecue Cookbook is a definitive must-have!

Genres: Cookbooks

168 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication December 31, 2027

Reviews

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of, Seriously Good Barbecue Cookbook, by Brian Baumgartner, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. The author is from the shoe, The Office, which I have never seen, I love to barbecue, which is why I wanted to read this book. This book has great recipes by region, of your typical barbecue items, ribs, chicken, pork, burgers, etc. This book has some really great recipes, I cant wait to try.

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of, Seriously Good Barbecue Cookbook, by Brian Baumgartner, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. The author is from the shoe, The Office, which I have never seen, I love to barbecue, which is why I wanted to read this book. This book has great recipes by region, of your typical barbecue items, ribs, chicken, pork, burgers, etc. This book has some really great recipes, I cant wait to try.

[J Kromrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

“Over 100 of the Best Recipes in the World” is not just a subtitle—it’s a mission statement.

Brian Baumgartner, best known for playing the affably awkward Kevin Malone on The Office, may not be the first person who comes to mind when you think of global barbecue expertise. But this cookbook is less about celebrity clout and more about culinary celebration. In Seriously Good Barbecue Cookbook, Baumgartner trades chili spills for smoked briskets and brings together a joyful, smoky symphony of recipes, regional traditions, and personal anecdotes that elevate this from “actor-writes-a-cookbook” to “must-have for your summer grill arsenal.”

🍖 What Makes It Seriously Good?

- Global Tour of Smoke and Spice: This isn’t just Kansas City ribs and Carolina pulled pork (though those are here in mouthwatering detail). Baumgartner reaches across continents to explore Argentinian asado, Korean galbi, and South African braai. His curiosity acts like a marinade, infusing the book with flavor and wanderlust.

- Anecdotal Charm: True to his comedic roots, Baumgartner injects humor and heart into each chapter. His stories aren’t filler—they’re the charcoal under the grill, bringing warmth to the meat of the book. You’ll find reflections on tailgates, cookouts, and even Office-inspired gatherings, which gives the recipes a personal narrative sizzle.

- Accessible Techniques, Elevated Results: This book isn’t just for pitmasters. Whether you’re wielding a Green Egg or a secondhand Weber, Baumgartner gives you clear, achievable steps that don’t skimp on flavor. He balances technique with approachability—complex flavors don’t mean complicated instructions.

- Flavor Pairing and Presentation Tips: Alongside the mains, the book includes thoughtful advice on rub combinations, wood choices, and sides (grilled watermelon with mint, anyone?). It’s this attention to the whole experience that makes each recipe feel like the centerpiece of a curated feast.

🎯 Ideal For:
- Backyard grill warriors hungry for more than burgers and dogs
- Culinary adventurers seeking global smoke trails
- Fans of The Office who want a little Kevin with their Korean short ribs

There’s a surprising earnestness beneath the glistening ribs and pimento cheese-stuffed burgers in Seriously Good Barbecue Cookbook. Baumgartner isn’t trying to prove he’s a chef—he’s inviting us into the world he loves, where smoke and fire tell stories, and good food brings people together. It’s a cookbook that doesn’t just teach—it celebrates.

So go ahead: crack open a cold one, fire up the grill, and dive in. This book doesn’t just taste good—it feels good.

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.

Seriously Good Barbecue Cookbook is a nice niche cookbook with recipes curated by Brian Baumgartner. Released 16th Oct 2024 by Fox Chapel, it's 176 pages and is available in paperback and ebook formats.

This is, simply, a good collection of BBQ techniques and dishes to suit tastes from very casual backyard BBQ to fairly fancy sit-down type meals. There are even some vegetarian friendly options (barbecued pineapple, yum) and side salads and accompaniments.

The recipes are arranged thematically: a history/primer/techniques tutorial is followed by the recipe chapters, with recipes arranged by geographic location, then seafood, sides, sauces rubs & marinades, desserts/sweets, and drinks. The author has sprinkled his own personal stories throughout, and the whole reads like a friendly chat over the BBQ grill with good friends.

Graphically, it's casual and appealing. There are cartoon sidebar illustrations throughout, as well as really beautiful color photos and illustrations. Food is styles professionally, attractively, and appropriately. Recipe ingredients will mostly be available at any well stocked grocery store in North America. Measurements are given in imperial (American) units throughout.

Four stars. It's a good all-around barbecue book with something for everyone.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

[Em · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seriously Good Barbecue focuses on different regional barbecue recipes and the accompaniments.

The Sections are
All About Barbecue: history, essentials, cooking techniques, etc.
Brian’s Recipes
Kansas-City Style
Texas-Style
Southern-Style
Other Regions
International
Seafood
Barbecue Takes
Sies
Sauces, Rubs, and Marinades
Sweet Treats
Thirst Quenchers

Each recipe has a recipe blurb, servings, prep time, cook time, ingredients, directions, and tips. Each recipe includes a picture of the food. One thing is on some recipes it says to use barbecue of your choice which I wish he would say the brand he used or the page of which barbecue sauce from the cookbook as there are multiple recipes (ex: Mom’s BBQ Chicken).

There are some classic recipes, but some more unique ones likeStrawberry Soda Pork Spareribs.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Tyson Stewart · Rating 2 out of 5]

There were several interesting recipes that vary in skill level and necessary equipment. The majority of the recipes require specialized equipment. Although Brian Baumgartner is listed as the author the majority of the recipes came from outside sources. Although Baumgartner gathered a nice collection of recipes from a variety of experts, I do wish he contributed more to this book.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Options, options, and more options! There is so much to choose from in this book and for every palate. It gave me a ton of great ideas and tidbits! My thanks to the publisher for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seriously Good Barbecue Cookbook is a fun cookbook by a cast member of The Office. It's an interesting compilation of barbecue classics and unique takes on classics.

[Vnunez-Ms_luv2read · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another winner!!!! I cannot wait to try quite a few of the recipes in this book. My only regret is I do not have a smoker to try them all !!! Recipes are listed in a way that seems easy to follow. And the end results pictures made my mouth water. A couple of the recipes call for a smoker, but I wil follow the recipes as far as ingredients and preparation, and slow roast in oven. Can’t wait to try them. Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the ARC of this book in return of my honest opinion of the book. Receiving the book in this manner had no bearing on my thoughts.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seriously Good Barbecue Cookbook by Brian Baumgartner is a lip-smacking collection of 100+ traditional and less traditional (but just as satisfying) barbecue recipes. Though Baumgartner is from the land of the barbecue, southern USA, he makes it clear other regions and countries have their own barbecue traditions. Regardless of the origins, I haven't met a barbecue style I haven't been besotted with. At risk of looking silly, I could practically lick the photographs in this book.

In addition to the swoon-worthy recipes, Baumgartner includes tips, a barbecue timeline, common barbecue meat cuts, barbecue essentials and, most importantly, encourages readers to spend time barbecuing with others.

Nearly every recipe appeals to me, unlike some cookbooks in which only a handful excite me. Amongst others, Best Grilled Chicken Breast with Whipped Garlic Sauce, Candy Pork Belly Burnt Ends, Kansas City BBQ Chicken Legs, Rosa's Ribs, Georgia Gold Chicken, Maple Chipotle Salmon, Sweet and Spicy Bacon Wrapped BBQ Carrots, Mint-Lemonade Popsicles and Cranberry Cooler scream summer. Heck. Any season. We've barbecued in -40C to 40C.

My sincere thank you to Fox Chapel Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with an early digital copy of this enticing book.

[Reading Adventures · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our family loves good barbecue. My husband especially. We really enjoyed this book. In this collection of BBQ recipes from around the world Brian Bumgartner gives us the best collection you could dream of and includes his own top secret BBQ chicken recipe. Includes a wide variety of BBQ styles. The recipes are detailed and easy to follow step by step instructions that even a newbie to BBQ like me can do. I love the photos of the food, makes my mouth water and I wanna taste every single recipe. I found some new favorites for me like Barbecued Lobster and Strawberry Soda Pork Spareribs. We can't get enough of this delicious book. Any BBQ lover in your life will love it too. We received it as an ebook ARC but can’t wait to add it to our home collection. I definitely will be gifting one for my daddy! Enjoy!