Here’s How You Can Score an Invite to Jimmy Kimmel’s Private Cookout This Summer

In May, Airbnb unveiled its Summer Release, highlighting the next chapter for the homesharing giant. In it, Airbnb says it’s moving beyond just places to stay, with its completely redesigned Experiences section, which it claims allows travelers to “explore a city with the locals who know it best.” This includes several new Airbnb Original Experiences, described as “extraordinary experiences hosted by the world’s most interesting people.” One of these experiences involves barbecuing with Jimmy Kimmel and friends. 

“I like to hang out with people. I like to meet people I’ve never met before,” Kimmel shared in an exclusive interview with Food & Wine about how he got talked into hosting a bunch of strangers for dinner. 

While Kimmel may not be the first person you think of for hosting a food-centric experience, he says that when Airbnb asked what kind of experience he might want to host, the answer came quickly. “I said, well, I like to cook. I like to have my buddies who are chefs over to cook. And, I like to have a nice meal.”

Those “buddies” for this experience include chefs Adam Perry Lang, recognized for his wood-fire barbequing, and Chris Bianco, a James Beard Award-winning chef celebrated for his pizza creations. 

“Chris and Adam are two of my best friends and also unbelievably great chefs,” Kimmel said, explaining that they all met over fantastic meals. “Adam was a guest on our show many years ago. He roasted a pig in our parking lot. And of course, we fell in love.”

As for Bianco, Kimmel shared he had “read about a pizza place in Phoenix that had the best pizza in the United States. And I found that hard to believe. So the next time I went to Phoenix, I visited and I became a believer,” he shared. “And Chris and I have become really good friends, and we hang out together all the time. So this is just another night for us, really.” 

As for the foods guests can expect, Kimmel noted that “We’ll have barbecue and we’ll have pizza,” but noted that guests shouldn’t expect a pre-set menu. “Whatever these guys grab at the farmers market will probably be on the table that night.”

Both chefs, he emphasized, are passionate about local sourcing, as is he. “I like to go to the farmers market here in L.A. and I talk to all the vendors and let them guide me toward the best stuff.”

Guests will also get the chance to get hands-on with the chefs, picking up some new skills at the grill to take home as the ultimate souvenir. While Kimmel certainly seems skilled in the kitchen, he emphasized that for this event, the chefs are the stars.

“I would never be so presumptuous as to teach anybody with Adam Perry Lang standing next to me at the grill,” he shared with a laugh. “But, if you love making pizza, if you love grilling or barbecuing or smoking, it’s really an incredible opportunity.”

However, that’s not the only takeaway from the Airbnb-hosted event. Guests will also receive a Grill Master’s Gift Kit and the chance to take plenty of personal photos with Kimmel for bragging rights on social media.

To join the party, interested guests need to be ready to click “book” on May 22 at airbnb.com/eatwithjimmy, as it’s all first-come, first-served. There will be four separate bookings available for this experience, taking place on July 1 and July 2, which means only 40 people in total will have the chance to participate (though each one is allowed to bring a lucky plus-one). Tickets for the event are priced at $50 each, and all proceeds will go to Children’s Hospital L.A., which Kimmel shared is “a very important place to me and to my wife because they saved my son’s life. So, we often think of them when we have a charitable endeavor.” 

However, this isn’t the only enticing Airbnb Original coming soon. According to Airbnb, guests can also learn pastry-making at the renowned French Bastards bakery with chef Raphaelle Elbaz, play beach volleyball with Olympian Carol Solberg on Rio’s Leblon Beach, hang out with Sabrina Carpenter on the Short n’ Sweet set (which, yes, comes with espresso), or even learn how to throw the perfect spiral with Patrick Mahomes.

Still, nothing beats a low-key barbecue just in time for summer. So, if you get a plus one, feel free to invite us along, and be sure to wear a t-shirt you don’t mind getting some barbecue sauce on.