On the banks of the river Rímac, on the beautiful and historic Alameda de Chabuca Granda with its ageing wooden balconies, in a space often occupied by fairs and special events, Lima today paid homage to the delicious anticucho.

Not able to pass up any event that features one of my favourite of Peru’s many hundreds of regional and national dishes, I headed down the the city centre to check out the First Annual Peruvian Grill Contest.

Yes, Peruvians are quick to think up any excuse for a chance to eat, and this competition, which focused on the anticucho, was the latest.

Several of central Lima’s grill restaurants were invited to take part in the one day event with a top prize of S/.5000 or about $1800.

I have to admit, I didn’t stay to the very end, so I didn’t get to see who won.

But I, and a couple of thousand of others, would be lying if we said it mattered at all.

Here’s to making these contests weekly events!

Tags: anticuchos, food, lima