The FireStarters

04/07/2026

21/06/2026

These guys look familiar 😂

What started as a free competition entry and a shared love of cooking over fire has turned into a full-blown barbecue adventure for The Firestarters.
The team – made up of Thames-based Edwin Booth and his brother-in-law Jacques Engelbrecht – launched their competitive barbecue journey in April, 2024, after receiving a complimentary entry into Smoke on the Coast through the NZ Woodfire Community Facebook group.
“With us both being from South Africa with a lifetime’s experience cooking over wood and live fire – braai – we thought we would have no problems tackling the competitive scene.
“This has yet to be proven,” Edwin joked.

READ MORE: https://www.valleyprofile.co.nz/2026/06/04/thames-firestarters-chase-barbecue-glory/

23/05/2026

Been a minute, i love the smells on rub day….lets see how long it lasts.

19/05/2026

Little article of us in The Valley Profile this week, onward and upward…Edwin Booth Jacques Engelbrecht

17/01/2026

After a quick 24 hours on the tools, we are super chuffed with our results, doing things a bit different cos we can, $50 Gilmours cheapy briskets, paknsave chicken drumsticks, and the shoulders we cut into thick steaks for a different approach. Results below,
Overall 20/32 didn’t expect that
Chicken 26/32 we know why
Ribs 12/32 fu***ng epic, so close to a call
Pork 24/32 ok
Brisket 15/32 tied with some legends

14/01/2026

Tomorrow this time we will be setting up for the first BBQ Competition of the year at Kumeu Classic Car and Hot Rod Festival in Kumeu. To make it even more exciting, we haven’t even bought any meat yet🤣🤣, so winging it we will be….Shoutout to Swift Ribs NZ for jumping in and sponsoring the ribs for the competition. The FireStarters Edwin Booth Jacques Engelbrecht

15/12/2025

As the year comes to an end, we would like to thank David at Thames Mitre 10 for supporting us with some store credit for supplies for our competition barbecue journey this year. As any team would know, the financial side of competitive barbecue is quite big, so any form of sponsorship or help along the way plays a big part, so a big thank you again for the help, and we will be back again in 2026 buying our supplies from you. Some photos of 2025 hand ins and supplies recieved from David.

08/12/2025

I have some 3d printed BBQ accessories for dad for xmas(or mom).
-Rub crushers, seal your rub bottles with a washable seal, has spikes underneath for those clumpy bits to get loosened. Fits most 60mm bottles. 3 for $10
-Blowpipe live fire blower, $10, you will need to purchase a 10mm pipe from your hardware shop, about $10 for ali per metre.
-ScrapMate kettle scraper $10
-Rub Funnel for those that mix their own rubs, fits over most 60mm bottles. $12
Post is extra if needed, pickup Thames or i will be in Orewa next Saturday afternoon so pickup or drop off along the way if on SH1