Chef Suzie Bakos to bring Middle Eastern fire-cooking to Jimmy’s BBQ Club for one-day Southbank takeover

Iraqi-born chef Suzie Bakos will take over the kitchen at Jimmy’s BBQ Club on London’s South Bank for a one-day event on 17^th August. The special takeover will feature a six-course Middle Eastern-inspired tasting menu, with dishes cooked at diners’ tables using Big Green Egg barbecues. The event, running from 1 till 4pm, is a ticketed experience priced at £64.80, with bookings essential to take part.

Bakos, who was born in Iraq and raised in London, specialises in fire-cooking techniques and heads up a series of dining events called Little Sauce. Her cooking blends traditional Middle Eastern flavours with British ingredients, and she has built a following for her use of bold spices and live-fire preparation. The upcoming collaboration with Jimmy’s BBQ Club will showcase these elements in a communal dining setting.

“I grew up around powerful flavours and food that told stories,” says Bakos. “Taking over Jimmy’s BBQ Club is a continuation of those stories; over smoke, spice and shared plates.”

The six-course menu includes dishes such as fire-grilled Aubergine with Harissa Chickpeas, Molasses Lamb Ribs glazed with pomegranate molasses, and a traditional Kunafe dessert made with sweet cheese, kataifi pastry, rose syrup and pistachio. Other items include Labneh and Manakish Za’atar flatbread, Makanek Sausage made with spiced beef and lamb, and Chicken Skewers marinated in preserved lemon. Vegetarian and dietary-friendly options are also available upon request with advance notice.

Jimmy’s BBQ Club, founded by pop-up restaurateur Jimmy Garcia, foregrounds an alfresco dining concept where guests cook elements of each course on personal barbecues. Located as a longstanding summer pop-up on Queen’s Walk near the Southbank Centre, the venue offers views of the Thames and some of London’s most recognisable landmarks.

Food Desk

Suzie Bakos’s residency takes place on 17^th August 2025 at Jimmy’s BBQ Club, Southbank Centre, The Queen’s Walk, London SE1 8XX.  For further information or to book, visit here.