For Pete Briese, it all started with a love of outdoor cooking – the kind of passion that turns mealtime into a ritual and a backyard into the heart of the home. When he purchased Muskoka BBQ & Outdoor Kitchen Centre in 2015, it wasn’t just a business decision. It was a way to share that passion.
Over a decade later, Pete is still doing what he loves most: helping others bring their outdoor kitchens to life, often by joining them at the grill for that all-important first cook. Whether it’s firing up a new smoker or sliding the first pizza into a wood-fired oven, his goal is simple – to make sure every client falls in love with cooking outside, just like he did.
Spaces people actually use
The best outdoor kitchens don’t just look good on paper – they function beautifully on a busy Saturday afternoon with guests arriving, kids running through, and something sizzling over open flame.
That’s why Pete and his team always start with a few essential questions: How do you like to cook? Where do you gather? Do you prep solo, or do guests join you around the grill?
Those questions might sound small, but they have a big impact on layout, appliance selection, and cabinetry configuration. And they’re the kind of details you won’t find in a product brochure.
“We come at it from the point of view of someone who’s actually cooked on these units, who knows how the space should move,” Pete explains.
Whether it’s a compact kitchen or a full-scale outdoor entertaining zone with bar seating and built-in heating, the team treats every project as its own experience – tailored, practical, and built to last in Muskoka’s seasonal extremes.
Delivered and demonstrated
One thing that surprises many first-time clients? The level of involvement after the sale.
Muskoka BBQ’s service doesn’t end when the delivery truck pulls away. In fact, it often starts there. After each install, Pete or a team member will fire up the unit, giving owners a walk-through, and offering real-time tips and advice.
“It’s one thing to own a beautiful grill or smoker,” he explains. “But we want you to know how to use it – how to control the temperature zones, how to get that perfect sear, how to make the most of your investment.”
Cooking as connection
Many of the products Muskoka BBQ carries are top-tier. The company’s handpicked lineup includes Lynx grills, Fontana wood ovens, Danver cabinetry, and Bromic heating systems, to name a few, all chosen for durability, performance, and aesthetic appeal.
But ask Pete what his business is really about, and he doesn’t start with product specs. He starts with people.
“A lot of our clients entertain frequently. For them, it’s not just about feeding people – it’s about gathering with them. That’s why we love units like Evo grills or wood-fired ovens. You’re not tucked away somewhere prepping; you’re right there in the middle of it.”
It’s a perspective that keeps clients coming back – even years later. Many reach out as their needs evolve: kids get older, cottages expand, or a new property is purchased. Others call from outside Muskoka altogether, having heard of the company through word-of-mouth or seen their work on a friend’s deck.
Built for Muskoka, and beyond
Of course, the climate and terrain here present their own challenges – something the team understands well. Whether hauling appliances to a boat-access-only island or navigating a narrow cottage driveway, they’ve done it all.
Where to begin
For those thinking about upgrading their outdoor space – or starting fresh with a new build – the first step is often a conversation. Some clients engage Muskoka BBQ right from the get-go, bringing them in to collaborate directly with their landscape architect and help shape the full outdoor plan; others walk through the doors of the Port Carling showroom with a few photos and an idea of what summer could look like. Either way, the approach is the same: listen, guide, and build something that lasts.
And while the appliances may be premium, the philosophy is down-to-earth. Outdoor cooking should feel intuitive, joyful, and effortless – even if the setup behind it is anything but. That’s why so many clients return, not just for equipment, but for advice, support, and the kind of partnership that lasts well beyond the sale.
After all, Pete knows exactly what it feels like to stand at the grill with a cold drink in hand, sun on your face, and something sizzling on the grill.
He’s just here to help you love it, too.
TEXT Anneliese Lawton
PHOTOS ANDREW FEARMAN & SCOTT TURNBULL
