5 years ago, Jose Manuel Gomez created the first festival grillwith the excuse of gathering friends and fellow barbecuers who disputed the title as the best steakhouse. The proposal that was born with a competitive character, over time added a more celebratory: Your participants want exalt the grill culture in Guayaquil and Ecuador.
“What we seek is to share knowledge that allows us to offer the consumer a increasingly specialized offer of grill products”, explains José Manuel, who is preparing to develop the Fifth edition of the meeting for barbecue fans this Saturday 30 and Sunday 31 July. The meeting that brings together gastronomic standstalks of the Ecuadorian Grill Associationbar craft beerslive musical shows, and more, will take place at the Miraflores baseball league complex (Av. Félix Sarmiento and Linderos street, next to Fedeguayas), from 10:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
As has been its tradition, festival grill Has summoned international guests to integrate the jury of his inevitable barbecue contest. Previously it had the criteria of the renowned Argentine grill Luciano Luchettiof Crazy x the roastand those of the popular Valentin Grimaldibetter known as Cook Grimaldi.
The judges of the new competition are the influencer Mexican Robert Morales (RobeGrill), with his unmistakable cry “¡Qué chille!”, and the Buenos Aires native Steven Zelicovich (Asando Ando), who visits the Main Port for the first time.
The Mexican grill and tiktoker Robe Grill shared his grill secrets in Guayaquil
Grill Fest, as a gastronomic brand
In addition to this massive event, festival grill wants to promote as a gastronomic brand thanks to its additional activities, available the rest of the year: catering at home, trainings and specialized content social networks. “These are planned activities so that the barbecue culture grows not only in followers, but also so that the consumer learns more about grills,” illustrates his mentalizer.
“We also communicate grill recipes so that our followers can practice them at home and enjoy with family and friends”, adds Gómez.
This brand is present in Instagram, Facebook Y TikTok, where he adds more than 77,100 fans in all three (like ‘parrillafest’). From these virtual profiles, José Manuel teaches everything that he, at the same time, has learned in these years as an amateur barbecue, since his first profession is law.
Roasts star in a festival in Guayaquil
José Manuel Gómez, from lawyer to barbecue
The meeting for meat lovers also has a personal meaning for José Manuel, since his hobby as a butcher became his full time career.
“At the age of 27 I discovered that gastronomy and entrepreneurship they are what most attract my attention”, reveals the lawyer and chef. “Together with my family we decided to give one step to the side about my profession and focus on these endeavors. We have another brand, Don Pepe Chichero, a family business. But I still practice the law for cases of family and friends, ”he recalls.
He chose the grills, he says, because this type of kitchen is the one that allows him to enjoy the most with family and friends. “Since the cooking of food is long, to maintain the juiciness and flavor of the meat, those of us who are focused on the grill have time to share with our guests, while still being part of the meetings.”
In these five years the coals continue to give him challenges that keep his culinary creativity awake. “The most difficult recipe that I have prepared has been lamb to the cross. And the most challenging thing has been cooking at high altitudes, in Quito, Riobamba and Cuenca, because charcoal is more difficult to light and consume due to the lack of oxygen.”
Of course, José Manuel recognizes at the same time the importance of being formally educated, so in the short term he will begin his professional studies at the School of Chefs, he anticipates.
For now, we will see him celebrate in style a new installment of the festival grillwith one of his grill tips: “The best companion to a grill is beer, while cooking, and wine, when eating.”
*The entrance to the event has a $5 one-time value, for all public. Includes a complimentary sangria and access to live chats.
Source: Eluniverso
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