The big BBQ at Saint-Just park — a ~40-person May feast

How it came together

The community had been planning a barbecue since February: spots near Ganges and in Vendargues were considered, April was pencilled in — but after the summer wildfires, open-fire grilling in France is only allowed in specially designated places, so the April plan fell through. On 20 April the organiser declared: “The Shashlyndos season is hereby open” — a legal-mangal venue had been found: the municipal park Terrain Multisport Saint-Just (142 Av. de l’Abrivado, 34400 Saint-Just), about 40 minutes from Montpellier.

The date was chosen by vote: Sunday 24 May — “prime barbecue time”, especially since Monday the 25th was a public holiday across France. The poll gathered over 35 adults and about 15 kids; the confirmed lists a week before counted around 30 adults and 8 children — and in the end considerably more turned up: by the organisers’ own count, over sixty adults and about fifteen children.

The fee was €25 per adult, kids under 17 free. It covered meat at roughly 1 kg raw per adult (50/50 chicken and lamb), grilled vegetables, two hot servings, Armenian lavash, French baguette, charcoal, sauces, spices and the cook’s work. A professional grill master was invited to do the grilling — the organiser shared his video in advance: “This is the wizard who’ll be grilling for us on 24 May.” Salads, sweets and snacks were potluck: “There’ll be one shared table, like at Maslenitsa.”

Logistics

Departure from Montpellier at about 10:00–10:30, on site by 11:00. A week ahead the organiser sorted everyone into cars and set up separate groups for “who rides with whom, where and how you meet”. Payment was cash at a meet-up in central Montpellier or by card transfer; the details hung in the pinned message, collection until 20 May inclusive. Anyone working that day had a portion from the first serving set aside.

The forecast promised +27 °C, so the list grew: sun hats, sunscreen, blankets for shade, water pistols (there’s water on site) and cool boxes. On the day, practicalities were confirmed: about 30 litres of drinking water on site plus “grab another bottle each”, disposable tableware provided, but bring your own fork and knife for the meat. Two small car parks at the entrance — the near one “fits 15 cars”, so people were asked to park tight. On the way, by the way — poppy fields: the convoy stopped for photos.

How it went

The mangal was lit around 10:25 — the organiser reported from the spot: “The heat is on;)))”. Vegetables first, then meat. By noon, photos were coming straight from the ground: “The fun has started!”

From there the day unrolled at full tilt: games with the host (“honestly the best in Montpellier,” someone wrote right from the event), live violin — “when the music came off your strings, my heart just stopped”, a salsa masterclass — “the true fiery rhythm of the Cuban world”, singing to a guitar, a vocal duet by two participants, and karaoke. The shashlik was an unqualified success: “meat that literally melted in your mouth. Not a single piece was left.”

Photos and videos flowed into the chat almost until 11 pm, and the next day the organiser posted a big photo dump. The final touch — the “lost and found” rubric: a white bowl, a tent, a small bucket, a cap and a set of dishes. “The cap is ours) I recognise it. Guess we have to meet again!)” a participant replied.

If you’re coming to the next BBQ

“Shashlyndos” is the community’s recurring flagship format: a year earlier, at the season opener, “we ate for 2 days… both chicken and lamb… there was enough of everything for everyone”. Here’s how it works: the date is chosen by vote, the fee covers the meat and the cook, the rest is potluck, and carpools are arranged in advance. Everything is born in the community chat — the next announcement will appear there too.