Three Swiss teams are bringing home the world's top barbeque honours after a sizzling performance at the world championships in South Africa.

The Swiss left South Africa's best barbeque chefs - until now the undisputed world leaders - staring dejectedly into their cooling "braais" (South African for barbeques), after spearing the top three awards in the competition.

The event made history earlier this month because it was the first time South Africa had failed to take the overall award.

The hosts were said to be astounded that an alpine country, which is covered in snow for much of the year, could be so adept at an outdoor pursuit like braaing.

First place went the Rainbow Smokers Barbeque team, led by Joseph Hegner of Büttikon, although locals at the event were quick to point out that he had a secret weapon - namely, his South African wife.

The president of the World BBQ Association, Rolf Zubler, who is also Swiss, praised the host city Cape Town for making the event "the best championship we have ever had".

Tamsin Snyman, the event's organiser, said "although the South Africans are great at braaing, the championships have helped a lot to hone their barbequing skills".

One South African team that didn't get its fingers burned was the all-women Shebeen Queens, who scooped several awards, including the third best Barbeque Dish in the World.

swissinfo with agencies

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