Three members from the Malta Barbecue and Grilling Association will compete for the first time in the Good Food Festival – Grillfest in Parnu, Estonia, next weekend.

Europe’s largest outdoor festival of its kind, Grillfest is expected to attract nearly 50,000 visitors and local and international teams will be competing for culinary titles in food grilling and barbecuing.

Various organisations, food producers and importers can also enjoy exhibitions, workshops and culinary training sessions held by personalities from Estonia and overseas.

The association’s president James Muscat, together with committee members Andres Toompere and Andrew Treglown, will be representing Malta in various categories, including pork, chicken, rabbit and a fantasy creation.

The team, co-sponsored by the Malta Tourism Authority, will also be offering local beer, wine and other delicacies during the event to promote Maltese cuisine and traditions.

The association was founded in 2013 and its main objectives are to raise awareness about healthy cooking styles and to teach barbecue and grilling as a form of culinary art and recreation.

The association recently organised a series of educational seminars with the aim of enticing more people to enjoy the pleasures of outdoor eating.

A number of other educational and social activities are planned for this year. Membership is free and applications are available online through the association’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/MaltaBBQ.