The new FIRE&FOOD will be released on February 27, 2026.
Dear readers,
The FIRE&FOOD roadmap for 2026 is set. We use a wide range of criteria to identify current trends. We monitor the popularity of grilled foods and developments in the grilling industry, particularly regarding new products – and we also incorporate suggestions from our readers. Market observations from the past year show that many grilling enthusiasts have a growing desire to complement their outdoor space with a convenient outdoor kitchen. And that's not all. Even traditional recipes are increasingly being prepared outdoors on the grill. This means that grilling equipment needs to be adapted: pots, pans, side burners, wok burners, and a plancha are essential components of any outdoor kitchen. The plancha, in particular, demonstrates its strengths as a tool for everyday cooking. From fried eggs to Bavarian snacks, it's the perfect partner for the grill all day long. These hot plates – whether as accessories for gas grills, as fire plates, or as stand-alone planchas – are truly hot and definitely on trend.
Together with the grill brand Weber, FIRE&FOOD is releasing "Hot Slate," a bookazine-style publication perfectly timed to coincide with the 2026 grilling trend. Packed with inspiration and tips for using the plancha, along with a wide array of everyday recipes, it's sure to get you cooking. Pre-orders are already on, and the bookazine will be launched on March 22nd on the Spanish island of Mallorca, the plancha's country of origin. Several manufacturers will also be present, joining FIRE&FOOD to introduce the hottest grilling trend of the year (starting on page 68). You can find more information on our website under BBQ Events 2026.
In this issue, we've revisited the plancha theme several times. We traveled to Sicily and visited Mona and Chris Sandford. They are arguably the most well-known European figures when it comes to this trendy griddle. Chris prepared delicious Sicilian plancha specialties for us; you can find the recipes on pages 58–65. The Austrian enamelware manufacturer Riess demonstrates how to compete with Far Eastern rivals using tradition and quality. Their traditional enamelware stands for durability and inspires confidence in high-quality products. Read more about it starting on page 52.
Good news is coming from grill manufacturers. Excess stock of grills has largely been cleared, and many new models are already available in stores. During our visit to the Rösle grill brand in Marktoberdorf, Managing Director Henning Klempp confirmed this, and we learned many interesting facts (starting on page 28). You can find further new grills, such as Weber's charcoal kettle grill with air control or Traeger's pellet grill for beginners, on pages 24–27.
Of course, there are several delicious BBQ events coming up this year. Nothing beats experiencing the BBQ atmosphere firsthand. You should mark your calendars now for the FIRE&FOOD BBQ WEEK in Cologne this September. Information is available at www.bbq-week.de . Those interested in international events can find the relevant dates in the FIRE&FOOD event overview (starting on page 66). There, you can experience for yourself how the enthusiasm for grilling and BBQ spreads around the globe. So be there! And as former WBQA President Rolf Zubler famously proclaimed: "With FIRE, FOOD and FUN – make people happy!"
Wishing you always great heat under the grill grate
Elmar Fetscher, Editor
