Michael Box outside Iluka St Market shortly before opening. Photo: Lucy Ridge.
Who are you?
Michael Box, owner of Iluka St Market and Big Box Barbecue.
Tell me about Big Box Barbecue
I started it a year and a half ago purely with the idea of bringing Texas Barbecue to Canberra in the most authentic way possible. We stick to the roots: salt and pepper, with local, good-quality meats.
How did you get involved in the hospitality industry?
Easy: Jamie Oliver, two-nut chocolate torte. It was a Naked Chef episode in 2000, maybe 2001. Once I saw that, I knew what I wanted to do, and that was it!
Have you ever considered doing something other than hospitality?
No, never. I’m not book smart; I never had the idea of going to uni. I went straight from school to culinary school two weeks after I graduated, and I’ve never wanted to do anything else.
What is your food philosophy?
Keep it simple. It took years and years to learn that. It took a long time to check my own ego and allow myself to sit there and say, ‘Keep it simple, don’t overtrick it, you’re not that guy.’ Once you allow yourself to be humbled by that, everything changes.
Michael checks the smoker. Photo: VUE Studio.
What is your favourite or must-use ingredient when cooking?
I really like celery seeds. It gives you a nice earthiness and gives you a hit without the texture. It pairs really well with meats and crustaceans as well: celery seed and crab complement each other nicely.
What’s an underrated Canberra venue that you love?
I just went to Azuma in East Hotel, and the fried chicken is the best I’ve had in Canberra. They are super underrated for that!
Where do you go out for a drink in Canberra?
I actually don’t go out because of the kids! So, it’s more about visiting a local bottle shop like Plonk, finding unique beverages, and trying to grab a local brew.
I’ve been drinking Wild Polly beer lately, which is brewed in Gundaroo. They’re about ancient grains, it’s gluten-free, and it’s a nice little drinking beer.
Where do you go for a coffee?
Saint Elmo at Torrens shops. You go there, get the cannoli, sunflower seed cookie, and a coffee, and sit in the sun in a little green chair. Weekend happiness right there.
Who do you admire in the Canberra food scene?
Clément Chauvin from Les Bistronomes. I think what he’s doing is phenomenal. I wish him all the success, especially with opening Montrachet in Brisbane.
Chef Clem (centre) and the team at Montrachet in Brisbane. Photo: Markus Ravik.
Who is your dream dinner party guest, and what would you make them?
Daniel Vaughn purely because without his work and writing the Texas top 50 list, barbecue wouldn’t be where it is now. It wouldn’t have been pushed out worldwide, and I wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing. It’s his knowledge, expertise, feedback and his list that have made barbecue what it is today, so I’d love to cook for him and pick his brains! I’d keep it simple with the Holy Trinity: brisket, pork and ribs.
What is your current food obsession?
I’ve been trying to find the best version of corn bread. It’s something I want to put on here, so I am all in on corn right now.
What’s the best thing you ate this week?
Actually, two weeks ago, Danny’s Bakery made these cream buns. I’m not a cream bun guy, but it was a three-biter and I wanted to go back for more! It was nostalgic in the best way and made me feel super wholesome.
What’s a food that reminds you of your childhood?
Baked beans on toast! Heinz baked beans. I was making the beans for our menu the other day, and it’s just so good: beans all day.
Don’t sleep on the sides at Big Box: those beans are good. Photo: Lucy Ridge.
When you can’t be bothered to cook for yourself, where do you go and what do you eat?
A Yarralumla snack pack with the rice, salad, sauce and all the meats. It’s all the major food groups. But no fries, for me it’s got to be rice.
Where are you travelling next?
Nothing is planned for this year, but I’m planning to visit Texas at some point and gain work experience with the team there.
Tell me something you love about living in Canberra?
When I lived in Sydney, there were too many distractions. I’ve always found that Canberra has been best for me because there are fewer distractions: it makes you look inwards at what you’ve got, rather than focusing on all the other noise. And it’s somewhere I’ve been able to call home.
What TV show are you watching right now?
Big fan of Drive To Survive, the Formula 1 show.
An easy one to finish – what’s your go-to coffee order?
Double shot espresso and a long black at the same time, separate cups. I drink the espresso while I’m waiting for the long black to cool down.
Big Box Barbecue is located at Iluka St Market, Narrabundah Shops, Iluka Street, Narrabundah. Follow Big Box Barbecue on Instagram, and follow Iluka St Market on Instagram. Big Box Barbecue is open on weekends from 11.30 am until they sell out. And they will!
