The news most eagerly awaited by barbecue lovers in Costa Rica is finally official: Laucha Luchetti, the iconic figure of Locos por el Asado, Latin America’s most influential barbecue community, will be coming to the country as the star guest of BBQ Fest 2026. With almost 4 million followers on Instagram, his presence marks a turning point for the local barbecue scene and makes this edition the most eagerly awaited in its history.
With more than a decade of teaching techniques, recipes, and secrets of Argentine barbecue, Laucha has established himself as one of the great ambassadors of fire in the Hispanic world. His direct, technical, and authentic style has inspired a global community that finds in him much more than recipes: they find culture, passion, and tradition. His arrival in Costa Rica is a milestone for fans, experts, and followers who have accompanied him digitally for years and will now be able to learn directly from him.
Upon hearing the announcement, Laucha expressed his excitement about visiting Costa Rica for the first time:
“I am really happy to be traveling to Costa Rica for BBQ Fest. I am thrilled to be able to share with so many people who love barbecue as much as we do. I promise an unforgettable experience for everyone who joins the workshop and the festival. I am eager to learn about Costa Rican cuisine, get to know its culture, and enjoy ourselves together around the fire, as it should be.”
For the first time, Laucha will be giving a specialized and highly practical in-person workshop in Costa Rica. There will only be 100 spots available, and the BBQ Fest organizers confirm that these will be the only spots available, with no extensions or second dates, due to the guest’s international schedule.
Each spot will cost ¢75,000 colones (including VAT) and will include direct access to a training session where Laucha will share cooking techniques, meat handling, fire building, marinades, cooking times, and professional secrets that have made Locos por el Asado a global phenomenon with almost 4 million followers.
The organizers emphasize that these 100 unique spots are the perfect Christmas gift: a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to surprise any barbecue lover, from beginners to fire fanatics and followers of the Argentine community. A limited, unique experience designed for those who truly live and breathe BBQ.
Now the most important barbecue event in Central America, the festival has grown from a competition among enthusiasts to a regional culinary platform. Its latest edition brought together more than 6,000 attendees, generated more than 500 direct and indirect jobs, and consolidated Costa Rica as a key destination in the continent’s barbecue culture.
The 2026 edition will feature guest chefs, KCBS-endorsed international teams, diverse culinary offerings, VIP areas, live music, a gourmet market, family areas, and experiences designed to immerse the public in the essence of BBQ. All this surrounded by the natural atmosphere of Campo Lago, which will become the perfect setting to celebrate a historic edition.
With Laucha and Locos por el Asado as the central protagonists, a limited-capacity workshop, and a completely revamped production, BBQ Fest 2026 is set to become next year’s most anticipated gastronomic event.
