Lesotho’s food and outdoor lifestyle scene is set to welcome a unique culinary experience with the introduction of “Sizzle in the Sky,” a barbecue-themed event that promises to bring a new flavor to the local events calendar.
The event, scheduled for 21 March 2026 at Ka Mafikeng, is the brainchild of Refiloe Mokone and Libuseng Rakhomo, who were inspired after attending several barbecue festivals and cooking competitions in South Africa.
According to the co-founder and the organiser Mokone, their experiences at these events sparked the idea of introducing a similar concept in Lesotho, one that celebrates the craft of slow-cooked barbecue while offering a distinctive twist.
“We have been going to cooking competitions and barbecue festivals in South Africa, and that’s where the inspiration came from. We realised that this kind of experience doesn’t really exist here at home, so we decided to create our very own,” Mokone explained.
What sets Sizzle in the Sky apart from the typical braai experience is its focus on slow smoking techniques, a cooking method that uses flavored wood to gradually infuse meat with rich, smoky flavors over time.
Unlike conventional grilling, where meat is cooked quickly over open flames, the Mountain Sizzlers team uses carefully selected woods to create unique flavor profiles.
For example, flavored wood such as oak and marula may be used for certain meats, while specialized wood types are chosen specifically for smoking trout and other dishes.
The result is a slow-cooked barbecue experience that emphasizes patience, technique, and depth of flavor.
Guests attending the event can expect a diverse menu featuring a variety of smoked meats, including beef, chicken, duck, trout, and even crocodile meat.
The organizers say the goal is to introduce people to different flavors and show that barbecue can go far beyond the traditional braai many are familiar with.
While the March event serves as an introductory edition, the long-term vision is much bigger.
Organisers hope to establish Sizzle in the Sky as an annual event, with a larger flagship festival planned for September each year. The September edition is expected to be the main highlight, where the organizers plan to expand the experience and attract even more barbecue enthusiasts.
“This event in March is just the introduction. The main vision is to host a bigger event in September every year, where we really go big and bring the barbecue culture to life,” Mokone said.
With its blend of outdoor cooking, unique flavors, and social atmosphere, Sizzle in the Sky aims to become a major attraction for food lovers and lifestyle enthusiasts in Lesotho.
If successful, it could mark the beginning of a new culinary tradition, one where smoke, fire, and flavor bring people together in celebration of the art of barbecue.
Summary
- Lesotho’s food and outdoor lifestyle scene is set to welcome a unique culinary experience with the introduction of “Sizzle in the Sky,” a barbecue-themed event that promises to bring a new flavor to the local events calendar.
- According to the co-founder and the organiser Mokone, their experiences at these events sparked the idea of introducing a similar concept in Lesotho, one that celebrates the craft of slow-cooked barbecue while offering a distinctive twist.
- The September edition is expected to be the main highlight, where the organizers plan to expand the experience and attract even more barbecue enthusiasts.
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