First-time coal lighter Elina Graavite wins "Šašliku Master 2025" title

Elina Graavite is the first woman to win the title of "Šašliku Master" in Latvia. She triumphed over experienced male grill masters. Interestingly, she had never lit a grill herself before – she did it for the first time during the selection round. She attended the competition to support her friend, chef Ēriks Ozollapa. Seeing that only men were participating, she asked the judges if women could compete. The judges replied, "You could be the first!" Elina admits she has always been good at marinades, but lighting the grill had been a man's job until then. She now shares her winning recipes.