Thousands enjoyed eating contests and live music from world-class Indie, rock and hip-hop acts

More than 30,000 revellers attended Grillstock at Walthamstow's Chestnuts Field behind Waltham Forest council's town hall in Forest Road, on September 5 and 6.

Billed as a "rowdy weekend of meat, music and mayhem", food fans, including Grillstock fans from the USA, witnessed a US-style 'low 'n' slow BBQ cooking competition, a chilli-pepper and hot-dog eating competition as well as first-class entertainment from world-famous music acts, chefs and top tips from King of the Grill, Chicago-born Dr BBQ.

The soundtrack to the weekend was country folk, soul, hip-hop, blues, and rock with headliner's New York band Fun Lovin' Criminals taking to the main stage on Saturday night and indie rockers Razorlight topping finalising the event.

Instead of your traditional summer Pimms tent, it was Jack Daniels with a barn-style seating area carved out of haystacks and beanbags.

Imported pale Ale, beers and ciders from Brooklyn and New York dominated the pumps and hundreds queued throughout the day for pulled pork, burgers, brisket and hot wings.

Pork trimmings are served alongside a pig's head during Saturday's eating competition

Chilli-eating champion: Joel Wood with his inflatable-chilli hat

Walthamstow was chosen as the location for the first-ever Grillstock festival in London, but it has been running in Bristol and Manchester for the past six years.

On day one, famous spicy sauce creator Levi Roots got the crowd going with reggae tunes and his own rendition of Bob Marley hits.

Roots also announced on stage he is set to open his first ‘rastaraunt’ in Stratford later this year.

Grandmaster Flash was among the highlights of Saturday with 17,000 turning out to see him on the main stage.

However, it was the food contests which attracted some of the most attention, particularly the fiery chilli eating contest.

Each contestant had to chew the chilli right down to the stalk and were disqualified if they dared drink the milk on their table.

After braving their way through scotch bonnets, ghost peppers and mouth burning treats the final on Saturday came down to a heated challenge between a man and woman named Arlene.

Winner of Sunday's chilli eating experience, Joel Wood, from St Helens in Rainford, said: "I entered as its my 40th birthday.

"I feel OK now but I'm really worried about later and tomorrow."

BBQ group Social Smokers picked up the award for best burger on Sunday.

Member Kevin Baldwin, said: "We have been perfecting the burgers for two years.

"I love E17, Grillstock Walthamstow is much bigger and has had more variety than both Bristol and Manchester."

over 25 bands and DJs expected to perform across three music stages.

The festival was run in conjunction with the council who provided residents with 20,000 complimentary tickets over the two days.

Leader Chris Robbins, added: "Our Get Together events programme is all about bringing Waltham Forest’s community together in celebration, and the two-day Grillstock festival did exactly that.

"Over the weekend, more than 30,000 people enjoyed first-class entertainment along with, of course, some absolutely fantastic food."

Social Smokers winner Kevin Baldwin with his plaque for best King of the Grill burger