DJ Yoda will play surprise gigs at his new barbecue restaurant

Would you like a world-famous DJ with your pulled pork?
Barbecue and beats: DJ Yoda opens Austen's Smoke House in Kensal Green
Ben Norum30 July 2015

DJ Yoda will perform regular – but always unannounced – DJ sets as his new barbecue restaurant Austen’s Smoke House which opens in Kensal Green next weekend.

The famous hip hop turntablist will also pick DJs to play in its basement every Friday and Saturday night as well as curating a “living and breathing” playlist for the restaurant.

The DJ – real name Duncan Beiny – has no previous experience of the restaurant industry, but has a partner who does. It’s a joint venture with old school friend Robert Claassen, who owns nearby pubs The Chamberlayne and The Salusbury and Puglian restaurant Ostuni.

Beiny said: “It sounds surprising that I’m opening a restaurant, but it feels like a natural thing to me. I’ve always found there to be a really strong connection between music and food – I’ve made a song called Pizza with Sway and one called Breakfast Cereal with Biz Markie, I’ve had an album called Chop Suey and my newest is called Breakfast of Champions. Music and food are my two big passions.”

Turntables to turning tables: DJ Yoda aka Duncan Beiny

The food offering will be classic American barbecue, with brisket, ribs and and pulled pork featuring prominently. Smoked and pulled jackfruit will make for an inventive vegetarian offering. There will be no grill, so absolutely everything will be slow-cooked.

Weekend “Louisiana-style” brunches will include soft shell crab benedict, buttermilk pancakes and oyster po’ boys along with cajun Bloody Marys.

Food will be served on paper and trays, rather than crockery.

The chef who’ll be leading the kitchen is being kept strictly under wraps, but Beiny says: “He has trained under one of the best barbecue masters in London.”

Rumours are pointing to a Pitt Cue Co chef, but other contenders include those from a couple of Beiny’s favourite barbecue restaurants: “Hotbox in Shoreditch is spot-on, and I really love Duke’s in Haggerston – we were at Duke’s when we came up with the idea of doing this”.

Hot stuff: DJ Yoda rates Hotbox in Shoreditch

As for where Mr Yoda goes for his own Breakfast of Champions, he can often be found at Cereal Killer Café where he tucks into colourful American breakfast cereal.

Austen’s Smoke House opens on August 8 at 109 Chamberlayne Road, NW10 3NS. Visit austensbbq.co.uk.

Follow Ben Norum on Twitter @BenNorum

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