Playa Del Carmen and Tulum Mexico Real Estate | Grill Mastery in Playa del Carmen: Fire, Food, Fellowship

Grill Mastery in Playa del Carmen: Fire, Food, Fellowship

Last weekend in Playa del Carmen, we had the chance to attend one of the most flavorful events of the year: Grill Me Back to the Grill – Chapter 2, an all-day grilling masterclass that brought together smoke, fire, expert chefs, and a passionate group of food lovers. Hosted by Parrilleros Playeros, the event was a full seven-hour deep dive into the art of grilling, guided by two incredible chefs — Manuel Ham and Irving “Chikilin” Trevizo and of course the master grill Jesus Garcia!

From the moment we arrived, the tone was set. We were welcomed with tacos for breakfast — warm, savory, and just what we needed to kick off the day and meet our fellow attendees. With 60 participants in total, we were divided into six groups of ten, ready to take on a full menu of ten impressive recipes. At 10 a.m., the class began and the grills were fired up.

Throughout the day, we explored multiple cooking techniques including the vertical “estaca” method, low-and-slow smoking, and classic charcoal grilling. Each method brought something unique to the table — literally. Under the guidance of the chefs, we prepared a rich and varied menu: gratin oysters, grilled beetroot salad, smoked beef gizzard tacos, smoked pork shank, seafood discada, grilled tomahawk steak, lamb birria, lamb in salsa borracha, a Greek-style pig inspired by Yucatán flavors, and even a Jack Daniel’s pecan pie cooked on the grill. The lineup was as creative as it was delicious, pushing us to learn new techniques and collaborate as a team.

Grill Master Jesus "Rojo" Garcia

Chef Manuel Ham & Chef Irving “Chikilin” Trevizo

By the end of the day, the transition from cook to guest was seamless. At 5 p.m., we put down our tongs and gathered with wine in hand as a live band set the evening mood. It was time to celebrate. The awards ceremony marked our graduation from grill students to certified parrilleros, and we proudly received our diplomas. Even more special was the moment we welcomed our families and friends, who joined us to enjoy the dishes we had worked so hard on throughout the day. It was a shared celebration of food, learning, and community.

*This photo is by the Grill Me event marketing team

Looking ahead, the next chapter of this incredible event is already on the calendar. Grill Me Back to the Grill – Chapter 3 will be held on September 27th and 28th, with tickets available for 2,800 pesos per day. The event runs from 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., with the main cooking class taking place from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Best of all, we have exciting news for English-speaking participants: I’ll be joining the team once again, this time as a dedicated translator for one group to ensure nothing gets lost in translation.

Tickets are going fast — over half are already sold — and can be purchased at Parrilleros Playeros, located on 40th Avenue at the corner of Avenida Constituyentes. If you’ve ever wanted to sharpen your grilling skills, meet amazing people, and spend a day surrounded by fire and flavor, this is your moment. Don’t miss it!