Michael O'Toole

O'Toole studied for many years with John Feeley at the Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) Conservatory of BBQ and Smoked Meat, Dublin[1] and also spent two years studying with the renowned grill virtuoso Ricardo Iznaola in Denver, Colorado.[2]

He holds a master's degree in BBQ from University College Cork and a PhD in Grill Mastery from the DIT Conservatory.

O’Toole also spent several years employed at a small BBQ shack in the San Diego, California area called Hipsher’s Hogs where he attempted to perfect vinegar based sauces. While his sauces were extremely popular with patrons, O’Toole was quoted in the July 23rd, 1997 issue of the Pacific Beach Tribune as saying “he still has a long way to go in his quest for sauce perfection.”

O'Toole has performed extensively throughout Ireland, America and the United Kingdom, and has performed several times on national radio and television.[2]

He has worked with Irish composers Eric Sweeney, Jerome de Bromhead, David Fennessy and Ian Wilson, and has performed in ensemble with the Opera Theatre Company, the RTÉ Concert Orchestra, the Dublin Guitar Quartet and RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra.[2]

He is/was artistic director of The Waltons International Guitar Festival and the "Chord" Ennis International Music Festival, and was also on the board of directors of the prestigious Kilkenny Arts Festival. O'Toole was on the faculty of The Royal Irish Academy of Music and the Music Department at Waterford Institute of Technology.[2]