DIY Barbecue Guide: Three ways to brush up on your ’cue skills

DIY butchery classes at The Healthy Butcher with Mario Fiorucci

At small demonstration seminars, about 10 people can watch Fiorucci and his team break down a lamb, cow, pig or elk, and learn how to handle the whole animal, including lesser-known cuts. There are also hands-on chicken- and sausage-stuffing classes. $55–$125.

298 Eglinton Ave. W., 416-674-2642, thehealthybutcher.com.

Mastering ribs at Buster Rhino’s with chef Darryl Koster

Koster teaches the art  of rib making as a way of showing students basic barbecue techniques they can apply to any meat. He’s taught about 300 people over the years and says some of them have come back, asking him  to test their ribs to see if they’ve done it right. $75.

7-2001 Thickson Rd. S., Whitby, 905-436-6986, busterrhinos.com.

The Blue Mountains Chili Ribfest, organized by chef Stephen Perrin

Thirty teams of professional barbecuers from across North America will be pulling up in their grill-toting RVs to compete for the best chicken, ribs, pork and brisket. The public can watch them in action and taste some of the wares. July 8 to 10. Free Friday and Sunday, $5 on Saturday.

Cedar Run Horse Park, 318 Clark St., Clarksburg, 519-599-1211, bluemountainschiliribfest.ca.