At the championship site, residents of Druskininki and city guests could observe the skills of grill masters, inquire about barbecues, and, of course, taste meat and fish dishes with an unusual flavor or even a dessert prepared on the grill, according to the organizers' announcement.
Both fish and sweets were on the grill
On the banks of the Nemunas, the already hot air of the resort was heated by charcoal from barbecues for two days. For the main prize of the championship - the "Goodwill 2018" cup, the guests from Belarus "Grill Smokers", the owners of the resort - "Dangaus skliautas", the team griliai.lt and "Proflame" from Kaunas competed.
The international championship was organized by the Druskininkai City Municipality Administration, the Lithuanian Grill and Barbeque Association and the International Grill and Barbeque Federation. Grill professionals demonstrated their skills and knowledge by preparing pork, beef, poultry, fish dishes and dessert.
When choosing the best of the championship, the members of the commission evaluated the overall appearance of the dish, taste, softness and juiciness and other nuances of dishes known only to real grill professionals.
Spectators are also rewarded
The main award of the championship - an impressive glass flame sculpture "Goodwill Cup 2018", a cash prize and a barbecue went to the team from Kaunas.
The teams were not only awarded for their culinary skills. Even the guests from Belarus became the winners of three nominations. They were recognized as the safest, most resourceful and standout team with the best image.
Throughout the weekend of the championship, the judges also watched the spectators. A special award was also given to them. The prize for the most active spectator of the championship was won by Vadim from Dzulkin, who spent both days of the championship among the competing teams' tents, begging, tasting, and being interested in the delicacies of the grill.
Odors wafted off the bikes
It was really something to see and hear at the championship. "We were very lucky. While walking on the bank of the Nemunas, we found a real treasure. We are very interested in cooking on the grill, so to meet a whole group of professionals who so generously share their experience and secrets of the grill... We are the babies of happiness," - a business couple from Moscow on vacation in Druskininkai happily shared their impressions.
Everything was enough: fire, water, and food.
The smell of grilled steaks from the bicycles dismounted Kaunians as well. "We talked to the teams. We got a lot of valuable information about what is most important when preparing healthy and tasty food. You won't find it on the internet," said Vytautas Pažemeckas.
Judges are long-time professionals
The championship was judged by independent judges led by Galina Bovševič, also known as "Mama BBQ", because Galina is a real professional in this field. The woman has been participating in world and European championships for thirteen years, having achieved impressive personal achievements.
"Even though this is the first championship organized by the Lithuanian Grill and Barbeque Association, it really didn't "take off". The event is perfectly organized. What is worth is the stage alone, decorated with mini grills with herbs and the anthem of grill masters specially created for this championship played live. A celebration was created for us, the participants, and the guests and visitors of the championship. Often during such tournament championships there is a feeling of tension, unnecessary haste, but here everything was calm and festive. Everything was enough: fire, water, and food. The match places were perfectly equipped for the teams: the same tents, the same grills, charcoal and tables, the teams did not have to worry about anything, all that was left was to roll up their sleeves and start cooking. I left the championship in a great mood and relaxed", said G. Bovševič.
Visitors were surprised by a steam locomotive - a grill
The visitors of the championship could not only feast their eyes, get acquainted with the latest barbecue models, talk with grill professionals, but also taste the dishes prepared by the masters themselves.
The center of attention has become the BBQ Mates original-shaped grill - a steam train, designed, manufactured and patented in Great Britain by Nerijus Navickos and his team.
There was a queue of people waiting to try the food prepared in such an unusual way. Nerijus Ižganaitis, the no less charismatic Lithuanian grill champion and winner of the fourth place in Europe, was the host at the charismatic grill and served his prepared steaks to everyone. During the entire event, according to Nerijaus, half a dozen kilograms of meat was cooked and everything was tasted until the last bite.
The guests promised to return
The guests from Belarus who participated in the championship did not spare good words for the organizers of the championship. Despite all the obstacles, they crossed the borders and entered the competitive battle on the championship field in a cheerful mood on Saturday morning. By the way, the youngest fan of the grill, Artiomas, son of the team captain, was around them throughout the event.
As the youngest participant, not yet two years old, the organizers awarded him with a special prize - a children's grill. "Now it's his favorite toy. When Artyom comes home, he grills from morning to night," said his dad, Gerasim Yeroshenko, captain of the Grill Smokers team.
"We are very happy that we were able to come to the "Goodwill 2018" championship. Elegant place, perfect organization of the event, friendly atmosphere. I would especially like to draw attention to the level of organization of the championship - everything was thought out to the smallest detail and was exceptionally aesthetic. Although we did not manage to win the main prize, we are very happy and will gladly return to Lithuania. We take away a lot of positive emotions, so we are very grateful to the organizers", said G. Jeroshenko, captain of the team from Belarus.
