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Lewis Donald

@iamsweetlew

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Father to @owen_donald_75 @lewdonv Husband to @katiehdonald13 dreamer, driven, smoke tender @sweetlewsbbq
Founder of the @carolinabbqfestival

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What a year for this man 🎉 @iamsweetlew

This year Lewis married his best friend Katie @katiehdonald13 smoked whole hogs on national TV @bravotopchef - got named a Southern Living BBQ legend @southernlivingmag + @robertfmoss - Hosted the Carolina BBQ Festival @carolinabbqfestival with @letsmeetclt + SO MUCH MORE
@pinehurstbarbecuefestival @the_greenbrier

Lewis, you’ve built something special here, not just the barbecue, but the entire family + crew behind it.

We’re lucky to have you around!

Happiest of birthdays from the Sweet Lew’s crew + your family! Here’s to another year of whole hogs + big things happening 🥳🥳🥳 by @iamsweetlew

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a day ago

For 60 years, Southern Living @southernlivingmag has chronicled the South’s great pitmasters. This year, contributing barbecue editor Robert Moss @robertfmoss posed a bigger question: who are the Pitmasters people will still be talking about 60 years from now? He named five.

The same generation following in the footsteps of Aaron Franklin, Rodney Scott, and Sam Jones, the pitmasters who revitalized Southern barbecue in the 2000s.

On Sunday, September 20th 11am - 2pm all five of Moss’s picks are cooking together for the first time.

Evan LeRoy
@evanleroybbq @leroyandlewis

Hector Garate
@pitmastergarate @palmirabbq

Zach Parker
@zach_bescottsbbq @b.e.scottsbbq

Elliott Moss
@elliottmoss @elliottsflorence

Lewis Donald
@iamsweetlew @sweetlewsbbq

at The Hunter Farm just outside Charlotte.
@thehunterfarm

Presented by Southern Living, in partnership with CRVA.
@southernlivingmag @charlottesgotalot

Pitmaster tastings, oysters, appetizers, desserts, and drinks included.

$175 per person, gratuity included.

There are 200 seats at the table.
Tickets go live tomorrow at noon.
LuncheonWithLegends.com

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Bbq community | foodie | farm | bbq events | charlotte, nc taken in Charlotte, North Carolina by @iamsweetlew

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16 days ago

Y’all - BIG BBQ NEWS tomorrow!!!! Drop your guesses below 👇

👀
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Bbq legends | southern living | Pitmasters | bbq community by @iamsweetlew

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17 days ago

Happy 4th of July weekend y’all! 🇺🇸🔥
It’s too hot to turn the grill on. Let us handle the bbq.

We are OPEN and here all day because nobody should spend the holiday weekend without real BBQ. Come pull up a chair, grab a drink at Lew’s Libations and let us take care of the eats. 🐷

📞 Call us for 4th of July BBQ packages
🔗 Or order online - link in bio
⏰ Open all day today Friday | Closing at 6PM on Saturday
🕐 Back to regular hours Sunday

From the Lew’s Crew, Happy 4th Charlotte.
We cannot wait to see you. 🙌🇺🇸

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Bbq | July 4th. | red white and bbq | charlotte nc | eat local | foodie | party ribs taken in Charlotte, North Carolina by @iamsweetlew

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22 days ago

You are invited 🍀 THURSDAY, JULY 16 | 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM 🍀

One of my favorite parts of what I get to do isn't just taking people on incredible trips... it's getting to share those trips with people before we ever board the plane.

So if you've ever wondered what The Gourmet Vacation is really like, I'd love for you to come hang out with us.

Join me and Chef Lewis Donald of Sweet Lew's BBQ for a relaxed evening of great BBQ, cold drinks, good conversation, and a little dreaming about Ireland.

Over the years I've been fortunate enough to experience some amazing places around the world, but Ireland has a way of getting under your skin. It's the people, the music, the pubs, the rugged coastline, the incredible food... and somehow every day ends with a story you'll be telling for years.

This August, Chef Lewis and I are taking a small group on an adventure we're calling:

🇮🇪 Southern Smoke Meets Irish Soul

August 15th to August 22nd, 2026

Imagine spending a week...

🥃 Sipping whiskey where it's been crafted for generations.

🍺 Going behind the scenes at Guinness before enjoying the perfect pint overlooking Dublin.

🔥 Experiencing Ireland's famous Big Grill BBQ Festival with Chef Lewis.

🦪 Slurping oysters straight from the Wild Atlantic Way.

🧀 Meeting artisan cheesemakers and exploring colorful local markets.

⛰️ Wandering through Connemara, the Aran Islands, and some of the most spectacular scenery in Europe.

👨‍🍳 Sitting down for an unforgettable Four Hands dinner with Chef Lewis and Ireland's legendary chef JP McMahon.

🎶 Finishing the evenings exactly the way they should be... in cozy pubs filled with live music, laughter, and maybe one more pint than you planned.

It's an opportunity to meet us, ask questions, hear some stories, meet other travelers, and get a real feel for what this adventure is all about.

If you've traveled with me before, I'd love to see you again.

If you've been thinking about joining one of our trips but weren't sure what to expect, this is the perfect chance to come by.

And if you just want an excuse to eat some of the best BBQ in Charlotte... well, this is your chance. taken in Sweet Lew's Barbeque by @iamsweetlew

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24 days ago

It’s too hot to light the grill. 🥵
Let Sweet Lew’s handle the 4th.

Party in the USA BBQ Package $250, feeds 10-12.

Choose 3 meats or 3 of the same meat
2 sides
a dessert
+
tea or lemonade 🍋

Pick up July 3-5. 48-hour preorder required.
Order online or give us a call. Link in bio. 🔗

Tell your crew your are bringing Sweet Lew’s to the July 4th party 😋

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Bbq | charlotte bbq | best bbq in charlotte | cookout | foodie | charlotte deals | eat local taken in Charlotte, North Carolina by @iamsweetlew

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a month ago

JOIN ME AT SOUTHBOUND Sept. 18–27 for a 10-day celebration of Birmingham’s magnetic food culture. Early-bird tickets are on sale now! For tickets, dates and more information, visit @southboundfoodfest #HeadOnDown 🍽️🍾 by @iamsweetlew

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a month ago

Posting a day late….but still one to remember! June 15th, 2024. The day she FINALLY said yes🙏 I’m glad we were able to spent this special day with great friends and family at the one and only @gasparillainn

#engagement #shesaıdyes #gasparilla #bocagrande by @iamsweetlew

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a month ago

Kick off the Pinehurst Barbecue Festival in style with the dynamic duo of @iamsweetlew and @matt_ssbbq at the High on the Hog Pitmaster Dinner!

🗓️: Friday, September 4, 2026, 6:00pm
📍: @thefairbarn
🎟️: www.pinehurstbarbecuefestival.com by @iamsweetlew

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a month ago

Southern Smoke Meets Irish Soul

An Irish Adventure with Chef Lewis Donald of Sweet Lew's BBQ

August 15 to 22, 2026

Some places stay with you long after you've left. Ireland is one of those places.

This August, join Chef Lewis Donald @iamsweetlew of @sweetlewsbbq and me, Chef Richard Gruica and @thegourmetvacation for an unforgettable journey through Ireland's vibrant cities, rugged coastlines, legendary pubs, and extraordinary food culture.

We'll explore Dublin, experience the excitement of the Big Grill Festival, enjoy private whiskey and Guinness experiences, wander the colorful streets of Galway, sail to the Aran Islands, discover the beauty of Connemara, and feast on everything from world-class oysters and artisan cheeses to incredible barbecue and chef-driven culinary experiences.

But this trip is about more than the places we visit. It's about sharing stories over pints, connecting with local producers, discovering hidden gems, and creating memories with a group of fellow food lovers who share your passion for travel, culture, and great meals.

From smoky Southern barbecue to Irish whiskey, traditional music to breathtaking Atlantic views, this is Ireland through the lens of food, friendship, and unforgettable experiences.

Come hungry, come curious, and come ready for an adventure you'll be talking about for years to come. 🍀🔥🥃🇮🇪 taken in Dublin, Ireland by @iamsweetlew

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a month ago

From the pit to primetime 🔥
Sweet Lew’s BBQ brought its signature style to Top Chef, showcasing the depth and tradition behind real Carolina barbecue. For founder Lewis Donald, the journey started far from the Carolinas, but it was the culture, history, and craft of barbecue that shaped what Sweet Lew’s is today.

Partner With Us → link in bio by @iamsweetlew

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2 months ago

Do you know how many cuts of ribs there are??? 🔥

We’re about to break down 6 of them.
Join us Sunday, June 28th for our BBQ Masterclass: All About Ribs, hosted by Lewis Donald himself @iamsweetlew
We’re talking baby backs, Dino ribs, and cuts you probably haven’t smoked yet…(but will 😋)

This is a hands-on class, you’re trimming, smoking, and taking some home. Breakfast included, merch credit, take-home recipe card + rub, and 3 hours of real pit knowledge from Lewis himself.

Perfect Father’s Day gift for the dad who thinks he already knows BBQ. 😏

3 hours · 6 cuts
📍 Sweet Lew’s | 6.28 | 8AM–11AM
🎟️ Grab your ticket $225 🔗 in bio.

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Bbq | charlotte bbq | bbq masterclass | Pitmaster | Father’s Day gift | bbq community taken in Charlotte, North Carolina by @iamsweetlew

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2 months ago