Saint John's
First Of Its Kind.

A free community celebration of African grill culture. Good food, good music, and good people. Everyone is welcome.

Free Entry Grilled Fresh Saint John, NB 350+ Strong Free Entry Grilled Fresh Saint John, NB 350+ Strong
350+Attendees
6Community Vendors
$0Ticket Price
1STEver Edition
About Spicy Grill Fest

Bring people together
around the fire.

Spicy Grill Fest is a free outdoor community event celebrating African grill culture — food, music, and culture, open to everyone.

On July 25th, 2026, Tucker Park in Saint John hosted the very first edition. 350+ people showed up together — families, friends, newcomers, and longtime residents. The food was great, the music was loud, and the vibes were even better.

No ticket prices
No VIP sections
No corporate agenda

Just a community coming together, sharing food, and having a good time.

Dami-Yo Grillz cutting suya on the grill at Spicy Grill Fest
Dami-Yo GrillzTucker Park, July 25th
Our Story

Something
was missing.

Back home, people gather around an open flame late at night. Suya sizzles on the grill. Neighbours pull up chairs. That kind of experience was hard to find here — so Dami asked: what if we created it ourselves?

Not as a business. Just something good for the community — a free event where African food and culture could be celebrated out in the open, for anyone from any background.

He shared the idea with vendors, friends, and family. Everyone said yes without hesitation, giving their time because they believed in what it could mean for the city.

"I just love to grill. I have always done it for free, for the love of it. This event was never about money. It was about bringing people together." — Dami Aluede, Founder
Our Vendors

The people who
made it happen.

They weren't coming out for a business deal — they came because they believed in the idea. Community members first, vendors second.

The Flame
Dami-Yo Grillz
Authentic suya, turkey, and goat meats. The passion behind the festival.
Chops Haven
Flavourful shawarma and asun, done right.
Nelo Crust & Grillz
Great fish with big flavour and good energy.
Daam! BBQ
Slow-grilled beef and pork BBQ ribs that kept people coming back.
Aristocrat Grill & Suya
Premium suya and grilled meats, served with care.
Miskoom Drinks
Cold drinks to cool you down between plates.
The Entertainment

Energy from
start to finish.

MC Caramel hosting Spicy Grill Fest
Host · MC Caramel

Yewande

The soul of Spicy Grill Fest — games, prizes, dancing, and nobody left standing on the sidelines. One of the first people Dami shared the idea with. Saint John felt you.

DJ Rossy performing at the turntables
Music · DJ Rossy

DJ Rossy

Afrobeats, African music, crowd anthems. DJ Rossy kept Tucker Park alive from start to finish and set the tone for the whole day.

The Turnout

Saint John showed up.
Saint John showed out.

For a free, community-run event in its first year, that turnout was a big deal — and people travelled from Moncton, Fredericton, Halifax, and across the border from Maine.

The crowd was diverse, with many trying African grill food for the first time. They came curious and left happy.

350+Attendees on the day
3+Canadian cities represented
1U.S. state — Maine
1stEver edition, 2026
The Vision

The first one was
never the last.

In 2027, the plan is to expand to two cities in New Brunswick — same free entry, same community spirit. The bigger goal: make Spicy Grill Fest a regular part of life in Atlantic Canada.

Expand to more cities

Two New Brunswick cities in 2027, and growing from there.

Keep it free

Free entry is core to what we are. That never changes.

Support more vendors

Give more African food makers and grill cooks a stage.

Bring communities together

A space where everyone feels welcome and learns something new.

Find community partners

Connect with local businesses and individuals who want to support us.

Inspire young people

Show the next generation their culture belongs here.

Spicy Grill Fest

The First One Was
Just The Start.

The event is done, but the work is not. The next edition is coming — and we want you to be part of it.