Ayesha Curry Brings Barbecue to Next Mina Test Kitchen Concept

For the latest concept in his rotating pop-up spot Mina Test Kitchen, chef Michael Mina has partnered with Ayesha Curry, the renowned cookbook author, lifestyle expert and mother to NBA all-star Riley Curry. Curry and Mina created a concept called International Smoke that will focus on the lighter side of grilled and smoked meats from around the world.

The collaboration comes as Curry's cookbook, The Seasoned Life: Food, Family, Faith & the Joy of Eating Well is conveniently available for pre-order, but for now International Smoke will exist as a ticketed, four-course $45 prix-fixe menu with optional supplements. Expect featured dishes like Thai-style barbecue shrimp chili, "Around the World" pork ribs cooked either Korean, al pastor or St. Louis-style, and a "Royal BBQ Platter" with char siu, pastrami, and Merguez sausage. Sides are likewise exotic takes on traditional barbecue sides like a purple Peruvian potato salad, braised mustard greens, and double-dipped onion rings. You can see the full menu here.

While Mina's love of ... inventive ... barbecue is well-documented, Curry says she loves the way barbecue allows her to, "experiment and indulge in tasting different flavors, cuts of meat and styles of cooking" and it's the "smoky delicious taste" that reminds her of a family gathering — a prix-fixe family gathering, in this case. International Smoke begins Saturday, June 4. You can pre-purchase tickets now here.