Matthew Hoggard MBE

Hoggy's story

England fast bowler, 2005 Ashes winner, and the man behind the grill.

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Hoggy at the grill

The story so far

  1. Embers glowing under a grill

    Growing up

    Fire from the start

    Hoggy's fascination with fire started young, on family camping trips.

  2. At 18

    The braai in Johannesburg

    At 18 he lived and played cricket in Johannesburg, and fell for the South African braai: fire, flavour, friends and family. He went back many times.

  3. Hoggy celebrating a wicket for England during the 2005 Ashes

    2005

    The Ashes

    He was part of the England side that won back the Ashes in 2005, and was later appointed MBE.

  4. Players applaud Hoggy onto the field in his last match

    2013

    What next?

    After retiring from cricket in 2013 he tried coaching and commentary, until Sarah told him what he needed to hear.

    You need to find something you're passionate about.

  5. Steaks on the grill

    2020

    Hoggy's Grill is born

    Hoggy's Grill began in 2020: a barbecue school where you cook with Hoggy, then sit down and eat what you've made.

  6. Hoggy teaching a class at the Grill at Rutland Water

    2020 to 2026

    Rutland Water

    For its first years the Grill lived on the banks of Rutland Water, hosting classes, team days and evenings with big names from sport.

  7. The Hoggy's Grill team and friends at the gate to The Bull and Swan's Secret Garden

    October 2026

    The Bull and Swan's Secret Garden

    The Grill moved to The Bull and Swan's Secret Garden in St Martins, Stamford: fully undercover, and five minutes' walk from the station.

Hear it from Hoggy

How the Grill began

A minute with Hoggy on how a cricketer ended up running a barbecue school. It has subtitles.

The team

Hoggy laughing with a guest at the grill
Hoggy outside Pudsey Congs Cricket Club
Hoggy with a purple lightning bolt painted on his cheek
HoggyFounder and lead grill chef
Sarah in a unicorn-horn hat and sunglasses
Sarah taking a selfie with a horse
Sarah holding Dennis as a puppy
SarahBookings, team days and private events
Ernie tucking in, in sunglasses
Hoggy and Ernie pulling faces in 18th birthday hats
Hoggy hugging a young Ernie in the dressing room
ErnieGrew up at the Grill
Frank and Dennis on the patio
Frank, sitting for a treat
Ernie with Dennis as a puppy
Frank and DennisThe Grill's dogs

Proud of

Awards, press and Rainbows

Kith & Kin Hospitality Awards 2024

Finalist, Best Corporate Hospitality.

Midlands Food, Drink & Hospitality Awards 2025

Finalist, People's Choice.

In the press

As seen in The Sun and the Stamford Mercury.

Rainbows Hospice

Hoggy is a long-time supporter of Rainbows Hospice for Children and Young People in Loughborough.