The Big Grill Festival returns for its third year this August, taking place once again in the leafy surroundings of Herbert Park in Ballsbridge.

The Big Grill Festival celebrates all that is great and tasty about barbeque, and its popularity is witnessed by the year on year growth of the event. This is live fire cooking at its finest with clean charcoal and wood only; no gas or electricity in sight.

This year, the event will once again feature famous Pitmasters from all over the world, mastering flame and fire to create a multitude of dishes using different BBQ techniques and flavours, for an estimated 20,000 visitors.

Chefs will illustrate the differences (and similarities) between Asado (South American), Mediterranean, German, Asian, Irish, and Southern USA style low ‘n’ slow BBQ methods for guests to savour. The organisers tell us to expect whole hogs, lambs on spits, flying chickens, goat, wild Irish game, Southern Style ribs, Asian skewered meats, Brazilian steaks and much, much more.

Some of the big-name chefs appearing at the festival include Neil Rankin (Smokehouse Restaurant, London), Andre Lima de Luca (Brazil) John Relihan, (Holy Smoke, Cork), Mark O’Brien (Barbecoa, London), ‘The First Ladies of Cue’ from Hangfire Smokehouse (Wales), Richard Turner (Hawksmoor/Pit Cue, London) along with restaurants Fowl Play, Box Burger (Wicklow), The Pigs Tale (Wexford) and Dublin favourites, Kinara Kitchen, Pitt Bros and Asador.

Amateur BBQ enthusiasts can also get a look in by taking part in the ‘Pitmaster Competition‘ with the chance of winning a place to cook in the famous Jack Daniel’s BBQ World Championships in Tennessee in October.

While BBQ takes centre stage the food is matched with an enviable selection of Irish craft beer, cider and spirits with producers and chefs on hand for tastings, pairings, advice and, of course, a good ‘Banter’ with Jim Carroll.

Live acts and Bodytonic DJ’s will entertain you with a mix of soul, funk, hip-hop and party music throughout the weekend, creating a truly international flavour. There will also be eating competitions featuring raw chilies and dangerously hot chicken wings … so hot that participants have to wear safety goggles!

Tickets cost from €15 and may be reserved online. Children under 12 go free and there is a special area for them on the Saturday and Sunday. Special rates are also available for corporate groups and parties.

Come celebrate the age-old art of cooking with smoke and fire at The Big Grill Festival, running from from the 11th to 14th August, 2016 in Herbert Park, Ballsbridge.