Calling All Carnivores - The Big Grill Festival Cometh!

The summer’s biggest and best BBQ takes place in the scenic surrounds of Herbert Park this August. Get ready for some tastebud satisfaction!

The Big Grill Festival – the best place this summer to find a choice of craft brews and ciders, meat-eating competitions, firey cook-offs, lessons in grilling and an assorted soundtrack of suitably summery tunes.

Beyond the smell of freshly cut grass, the smoky fumes of a barbecue are the true scent of summer. And above roasting, frying or baking, meat is simply best straight off the barbie. Isn’t it the best type of gathering? Barbecue enthusiasts get yourself down to The Big Grill Festival this August and celebrate the art of the char grill.

Carnivores: There will be top quality locally sourced meats cooked over live fires and smoke to gorge on. Chefs from some of the city’s best restaurants, like Diep Thai, Kinara Kitchem, Asador Argentine Grill, Pitt Bros and Pakastani Grill will be turning their hands to the barbecue. Come hungry – there’ll be pulled pork, smoked brisket and dripping ribs on offer. Craft beers and ciders from Tom Creans, Rascals, Trouble Brewing and Eight Degrees are available to wash it down, alongside a selection of wines and soft drinks.

The Cú Chulainn Cook-Off is a competition to master the grill with more than 20 participants. For the less savvy there will be lessons and demos on barbecuing, grilling, smoking, meat selection, marinades and side servings at the Grillster Academy. For those who excel at consuming rather than cooking come prepared for the meat eating competitions taking place throughout the weekend – or if you’re immune to spice then there’s a chilli-eating competition just for you.

As important as the meat or the beer the soundtrack features DJs programmed by Discotekken, including Baz Hickey, Billy Scurry, Lex Woo and Scope & Splyce with a mix of funk, soul, blues, hip-hop and disco.

The Big Grill Festival takes place in the leafy Herbert Park, Ballsbridge from 15th – 17th August. Festival opening hours Friday 5 – 9pm, Saturday and Sunday 12 – 9pm.

Tickets, costing from €12, are available online.