Chef from Michelin Star Texas barbecue dynasty joins Glasgow Meatopia festival line-up
A chef from a Michelin Star renowned Texas barbecue dynasty is bringing her family’s pioneering and original smoked meats to the Meatopia festival in Glasgow this summer.
Ali Clem is one of three international chefs announced for the Meatopia Glasgow event. Ali will be bringing Texas-style barbecue to Meatopia On-Fire at SWG3 from June 12-14.
The pitmaster from Austin, Texas runs Michelin-star la Barbecue serving up everything from ribs to smoked brisket and everything in between.
Steeping in history, Ali is carrying on the family tradition of her late wife, LeAnn Mueller. The Muellers’ incredible story stretches from the mid‑20th century to the modern explosion of world‑famous Central Texas smoked meats. It all started with a legendary barbecue joint in Taylor, Texas, often called a “cathedral of smoke”.
Founded in 1949 by Louie Mueller, the popular joint saw the owner smoking meat in a shed behind his grocery store before expanding to a full restaurant with huge pits and the classic Central Texas style of cooking over post‑oak wood.
Almost 80 years later and talented Ali, alongside her in-laws, still carry on the Mueller’s inspiring legacy, bringing their succulent dishes to Meatopia in Scotland’s biggest city this summer.
Ali said: “I am bringing the spirit of la Barbecue to Glasgow. People can expect brisket that tastes like it came off our pits on East Cesar Chavez, even though we’re halfway across the world.
“I cook hot and fast because that’s how I learned to read fire, by paying attention, not by babysitting a pit for hours on end. When it’s done right, you get this deep, honest bark, a fat cap that renders just enough, and slices that hold together until you tell them otherwise.
“Scottish food seems to come from a culture where people truly respect their ingredients, and good barbecue starts the same way.
“You work with what the land gives you, you honour the animal, and you let technique carry the flavour without trying to overcomplicate it.
“I’m excited to cook alongside other chefs and pitmasters who care about fire and meat the way I do. Events like this are really about forging new friendships and meeting new people.
“I’m also honestly excited to see how the pits behave in Scottish weather. Texas heat is one thing, but Scottish weather? That’s a whole new dance with the fire and I’m ready for it."
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The latest announcement from Meatopia also sees Swedish low and slow barbecue legends Johan Fritszell and Johan Arkberg on the bill. The talented duo hail from rural Bräcke in Sweden and are the brains behind Holy Smoke BBQ - a roaring barbecue joint that has helped popularise the American barbecue culture in Scandinavia.
Last year, more than 6,000 foodies flocked to SWG3 for a weekend unlike anything Glasgow had seen before.
Among the first thirty chefs announced for this year’s event are Michelin star-winning chefs Nick Nairn and Sam Yorke, Gavin Fitzpatrick, head chef at West Side Tavern, John Molloy of luxury steak and seafood restaurant Gōst and Lloyd Morse, co-founder and head chef of Michelin-listed Edinburgh restaurant The Palmerston, renowned for its sustainable, nose-to-tail approach.
Alongside the new additions, Meatopia Glasgow will welcome back some of last year’s fan favourites.
Returning chefs include: Danny Carruthers of Sebb’s; Roberta Hall-McCarron of Ardfern; Craig Nelson of Ox and Finch; Ashley Bennett and Tom Lane of Ka Pao; Nick Watkins of El Perro Negro; Dean Parker of Celentano’s; Robin Aitken of Margo; Finn Steele Perkins of Corner Shop; Thomas Greer of BABA; John-Ross Patrick of The Winged Ox at Saint Luke’s; and Iain Gourlay of Dungeon at Dalhousie.
Also returning are Dave Summertime and Gerrard Warrender of Dumbarton’s Mexican street food sensation The Big Taquero, whose dishes proved to be among the most popular of last year’s festival.
Having been one of the London’s food scene’s biggest events since 2013, Meatopia will once again return to Tobacco Dock in September.
As well as chefs cooking quality meat over sustainably sourced wood and charcoal, there will be drinks, DJs and live music throughout the weekend. Meatopia On-Fire Glasgow 2026 will take place at SWG3 in Glasgow from Friday 12 to Sunday 14 June, with tickets available now.
Meatopia Glasgow 2026’s line-up:
- Ali Clem, la Barbecue
- Amin Sheikh, Fire and Smoke
- Andrew Manson, Cafe XO
- Ashley Bennett, Ka Pao
- Bobby Gillespie, Margo
- Brad Carter, One Star Döner Bar
- Cai Ap Bryn, Game and Flames
- Craig Nelson, Ox and Finch
- Danny Carruthers, Sebb's
- Dave Summertime, The Big Taquero
- Dean Parker, Celentano's
- Dylan Pinder, Moss
- Elliot Cunningham, Lagom
- Finn Steele-Perkins, Corner Shop
- Gavin Fitzpatrick, West Side Tavern
- Gerrard Warrender, The Big Taquero
- Iain Gourlay, Dungeon at Dalhousie
- Johan Åkerberg, Holy Smoke BBQ
- Johan Fritzell, Holy Smoke BBQ
- John Molloy, Gōst
- John-Ross Patrick, The Winged Ox @ Saint Luke’s
- Lap-Fai Lee, Fire + Rice
- Lloyd Morse, The Palmerston
- Nick Nairn, Nick’s at Port of Menteith
- Nick Watkins, El Perro Negro
- Rob Hallas, Bastards Bistro
- Roberta Hall-McCarron, Ardfern
- Ryan Singh, SABZI
- Sam Yorke, Heron
- Terri Mercieca, Happy Endings
- Thomas Greer, BABA
- Tom Lane, Ka Pao
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