GET your grilling skills at the ready for the Smoke and Fire Festival that comes to Maldon for the first time this weekend.

The festival, which will be held in Promenade Park on Saturday and Sunday, will celebrate the magical art of cooking with fire and smoke, showcasing new and exciting foods, recipes and techniques whilst offering entertainment for the whole family.

There has been a rise in fascination in the art of the BBQ over the years, from tender meats cooked long and slow, to high rise burgers with an array of toppings, creative smoke flavours and techniques, and an ever expanding range of options for the non-meat eaters. Entry to the festival will be free, but the event will be raising funds for the Essex and Herts Air Ambulance and will be asking for donations.

Entertainments include demos and workshops from Simon Dyer - ITV's BBQ Champ 2015 - and other BBQ cooking heroes, a chance to become the Maldon Smoke & Fire Pitmaster Champion and The Essex UK Chilli Cook Off, where the winning team wins a cash prize plus entry into the UK final and the World Chilli Championships in Alabama.

There will also be real ale, craft beer and cider festival featuring award-winning local producers and live music on both days – including jazz, blues, rock, reggae, sea shanties and more, and finally an eating competition.

Marcus Bawdon, UK BBQ Magazine Editor, said: “BBQ competitions ... and events such as the Smoke and Fire Festival are helping get the word out to rest of the UK. Serious amounts of smoky meat, good music and good times with friends, it's what BBQ is all about.”

Additionally, there will be face painting, bouncy castles, stalls for meat and sauces along with craft beers.

There will also be eating challenges and tasting experiences of some of the finest hot sauces in Essex.

Gates open at 10.30am on both days. Visit www.smokeandfirefestival.com.