On 4 and 5 October 2025, the town of Shamakhi in Azerbaijan, hosted its first-ever International Barbecue Festival. Over the weekend, chefs from over 30 countries presented their culinary skills, celebrating cultural exchange and Azerbaijani hospitality.
Barbecuing is generally associated with the United States and more particularly Kansas City, home to over 100 barbecue restaurants and the world’s first Museum of BBQ – offering a guided exploration of the rich culture that envelops barbecue. However, the particular art of cooking actually originated in what is now Germany and Eastern Europe. From there, it was exported to all corners of the world.
For the time of a weekend, the small village of Meysari in Azerbaijan’s Shamakhi was transformed into an international barbecue centre on 4 and 5 October 2025 during the so-called International Barbecue Festival. Supported by the Shamakhi District Executive Authority, the Nasimi Vineyards Complex, the Abqora restaurant, and international culinary judge Sahib-David Israfilov, aka Don David, the International Barbecue Festival was able to attract celebrated chefs from over 30 countries. Those present include Willem Vink, President of the World Barbecue Association (WBQA); Christopher Sandford, chief judge at the WBQA; and Thomas Gugler, former President of the World Association of Chefs’ Societies (WACS) and personal chef to the King of Saudi Arabia.
Cultural exchange
The Vice President of the WACS, Uwe Friedrich Herbert Micheel, Don David, and Willem Vink welcomed both chefs and visitors during the welcome ceremony on 4 October 2025. According to them, the purpose of the International Barbecue Festival was to strengthen cultural exchange while showcasing Azerbaijan’s hospitality, cuisine, and cultural values.
During the festival, visitors could get acquainted with the art of barbecuing through different setups. At pavilions all throughout the village, chefs presented their skills and culinary culture, while visitors were able to get a taste of their best creations. A multitude of restaurants and brands were represented at the festival, thus allowing visitors to get to know cuisines from around the world. Family-friendly cooking masterclasses made it possible for those who were present to acquire some barbecue skills themselves.
@bakuesaz Şamaxıda Beynəlxalq Barbekü Festivalı başa çatıb Oktyabrın 4-u və 5-də Azərbaycanda ilk dəfə keçirilən barbekü festivalında 30-dan çöx ölkədən məşhur şeflər bir araya gəlib. Festivalın ilk günündə olduğu kimi bu gün də ziyarətçilərin kütləviliyi yaşanıb və bir-birindən maraqlı təqdimatlar tədbiri yaddaqalan edib. Beynəlxalq Barbekü Festivalı Şamaxı Rayon İcra Hakimiyyəti, Nəsimi Bağları Kompleksi, “Abqora” restoranı və beynəlxalq kulinariya hakimi Sahib-David İsrafilovun dəstəyi ilə təşkil olunub.
♬ orijinal ses – BAKU ES
The International Barbecue Festival also hosted a team cooking competition. All teams were required to prepare a dish following a specific recipe provided by the organisation, and the winners were awarded certificates, medals, and even a trophy after being judged on flavour, cooking techniques, and presentation. Performances by various musicians provided all those present with some lively tunes, enriching the overall experience and contributing towards a successful edition of the International Barbecue Festival in Shamakhi.
