In conversation with Don Caruso BBQ

According to his own account, Camillo Tomanek runs the oldest barbecue blog in the German-speaking world. As ‘Don Caruso BBQ’, he is well known and well connected within the scene. Even after more than 20 years at the barbecue, he hasn’t grown tired of it, as the leisure activity of barbecuing has long since evolved into a lifestyle phenomenon. “In the past, barbecuing was something people did on the side; today, the barbecue area is the living room of the garden,” says Tomanek. What used to take place mainly in the summer is now a year-round outdoor experience.

When asked about new product developments from the recent spoga+gafa, Camillo Tomanek first highlights the wide range of new products on display. “The sheer variety at the trade fair is particularly impressive every year,” says the BBQ blogger. “With the new products, the innovation often lay in the details, such as BeefEater’s well-designed grease collection system.” He also spotted innovative details at Enders. The barbecues from the German-based manufacturer reach extreme temperatures in record time and offer clever accessories such as a digital lid thermometer that can be controlled via an app.

Camillo Tomanek has noticed an increasing variety in barbecue systems and outdoor kitchens: “The range is expanding,” says the influencer. “For a long time, outdoor kitchens were an investment that could have bought you a car,” says Tomanek. “Nowadays, there are complete systems available in every price range.” Among the highlights he discovered at spoga+gafa was Enders’ new outdoor kitchen. The complete outdoor kitchen, featuring a gas barbecue, hob, plancha, sink, corner unit and fridge module in a matt black finish, leaves little to be desired and is set to be available at a reasonable price in early 2027.

When it comes to barbecuing on cooler days, the creator of Don Caruso BBQ has also spotted some exciting new products. Fire barrels that produce little smoke offer an authentic outdoor experience and are also suitable for terraced house gardens. At spoga+gafa, Petromax unveiled the PX Fire Centre, a multifunctional fire bowl with numerous upgrade options. Barbecues that use wood as fuel are also on the rise. “Barbecook’s fire kitchen is very exciting in this regard,” says Camillo Tomanek. The Belgian manufacturer offers a visually appealing outdoor asado kitchen that offers good value for money. Tomanek’s basic tips for barbecuing on cooler days: “Warm feet, something you can eat without a knife and fork, and a campfire.”

As a recognised BBQ expert, Camillo Tomanek has also contributed tips and ideas to this year’s spoga+gafa. The blogger helped design the two new special exhibition areas, BBQ for every Wallet and Flavour Market. “In my view, formats like these are always very interesting,” says Tomanek. “They provide a quick overview in just a few minutes, and I might spot something I hadn’t even considered before.” Alongside such innovations, the upcoming spoga+gafa will once again offer a diverse trade fair experience centred on the BBQ lifestyle. From 15 to 17 June 2027, Cologne will once again become the meeting place for the international barbecue scene.