The smell of marinated and grilled fine cuts of meat permeated the air this past weekend at the 2^nd Annual Weber BBQ Fest in Costa Rica, which took place in the parking lot across from Nova, in the glitzy (and secretive) Avenida Escazu. This festive gathering of carnivores and culinary experts included more than just plates full of steak, ribs, sausage, chicken, fish, and grilled vegetables: It also featured workshops by Sebastian La Rocca, former chef at Barbecoa, a legendary restaurant in London.

As previously reported by the Costa Rica Star, BBQ grilling season starts in this country around the same time the holiday season is in full swing, and it continues until well after children have returned to school. Guanacaste is one of the leading regions in this regard; after all, this province is known for its expansive pastures where grass-fed livestock is raised.

The Weber BBQ Fest aims to educate Ticos about the finer aspects of their gas grilling equipment. Traditional grills in Costa Rica are not of the gas-burning kind; they are more likely to be made from salvaged and repurposed objects, specifically vehicle rims (wheels) and 55 gallon steel drums cut in half and turned on their side. The wheel grills sell for about 14,000 colones (about $28); the drums start at about $45. Drum grills decked out with side tables and cutting boards can cost up to $85. These Tico grills are fueled either by charcoals or firewood, and they tend to be passed down through generations.

Weber does include charcoal-fired grills in its catalog, and the company is aware that it must proceed carefully with regard to gas grills in Costa Rica. Over the last two years, a major accident involving a propane gas tank explosion in Alajuela has cast a shadow of fear around cooking with gas. Alas, by the looks of the attendance and excitement to the Weber BBQ Fest this weekend, it seems as if Tico grill cooks are ready to embrace gas-fired equipment.

As of Sunday afternoon, a BBQ grill-off tournament was heating up as experienced and amateur cooks competed to present the best pork cuts, hamburger, ribs, chicken, and even grilled vegetarian platters.