Rivalries abound in the cutthroat world of competition BBQ, where reputation and respect ride on one perfectly glazed rib or one lip-smacking bite of brisket. Whether friendly foes or full-on nemeses, the one thing every pitmaster can agree on: nothing settles the score like a cook off!
Hosted by BBQ veteran and fan favorite Myron Mixon, things are about to get juicy with Destination America's all-new series SMOKED, premiering Wednesday, June 1 at 10/9c. In each episode, two pitmasters with a personal history are pitted against each other in a BBQ battle to prove once and for all who's the best and who's gonna get smoked. Along with a rotating panel of all-star judges, three-time world barbecue champion Myron Mixon - the winningest man in barbecue - guides the action and ultimately decides the competitors' fate.
"Just in time for summer grilling season, SMOKED welcomes viewers into the rowdiest backyard cookout ever, full of sizzling BBQ, secret family recipes, and old friends, or friendly foes in this case." said Jane Latman, general manager of Destination America. "SMOKED carries on the legacy of great American BBQ competition in a fun new format - and with spicier smack talk!"
Each competition is broken down into three rounds: The Long Cook starts with eight hours on the clock and a race to cook a perfect cut of meat such as pork shoulder, ribs, or brisket. While the smoker does its job, the Kingsford One Bite Challenge gives the pitmasters 30 minutes to create the ultimate grilled bite prepared over Kingsford charcoal. Finally, the Big Grill-Off sends the pitmasters off to the races with a challenge unique to each rivalry such as crafting an entire meal on the grill or creating multiple dishes using the same protein. Along the way, judges name a winner of each round and whoever comes out ahead wins the glory, a cash prize, and a shot at the finale.
Episodes featured in SMOKED are:
You Bet Your Butt - Series Premiere Episode: Wednesday, June 1 at 10/9c
Guest judges: Brad Orrison and Chris Lilly
Last time Texas beef specialist Ernest Servantes faced off against Georgia pork expert Robby Royal, Ernest whipped Robby on his home turf in his best category: pork. Robby wants revenge, and Ernest wants to prove his victory was no fluke. After three rounds, the winner walks away with $5,000 and the Smoked trophy... while the loser has to shave his head and beard!
Love & BBQ - Episode Premiere: Wednesday, June 8 at 10/9c
Guest judges: Brad Orrison and Melissa Cookston
Once upon a time, husband and wife Tommy and Jen Duncan competed on the same BBQ team - until they drove each other crazy. Now, they're out to prove who's the best cook in their marriage. The winner takes home the Smoked trophy and $5,000, but there's more than just money on the line. Every time Jen beats Tommy in a competition (which is most of the time) she makes him wear a pink shirt as punishment. If Tommy wins, he gets to burn the pink "shirt of shame" once and for all.
King of Ribs - Episode Premiere: Wednesday, June 15 at 10/9c
Guest judges: Brad Orrison and Melissa Cookston
Who's the real King of Ribs? Old school Lonnie Smith and young hotshot Brad Sweet are two of Georgia's best rib cooks and used to compete as teammates on the barbecue circuit. Now they want to know who's really the best. After three rounds, the winner walks away with $5,000 and the Smoked trophy... and the loser has to wear the other guy's team shirt on the BBQ circuit for the rest of the year.
Caveman Cook-Off - Episode Premiere: Wednesday, June 22 at 10/9c
Guest judges: Brad Orrison and Robert From Shell
Jeff "Rhino" Bannister is the founder of Bovinoche, a whole
ANIMAL cooking extravaganza in South Carolina, and brags, "If you can kill it, I can grill it." Arturo Ramon learned how to cook whole animals growing up in South Texas and wants to bring his boastful buddy down a peg. Over three rounds, they'll cook everything from a whole duck to a whole cow leg. The winner walks away with the Smoked trophy and $5,000, and the loser has the disgusting job of cleaning up... after the next Bovinoche event!
Teacher Battle - Episode Premiere: Wednesday, June 29 at 10/9c
Guest judges: Brad Orrison and Melissa Cookston
Harry Soo and Mike Davis each think they've got the best BBQ cooking school in the country, and they've turned to Myron Mixon to settle their rivalry once and for all. With their star pupils as assistants, they'll cook everything from Waygu Brisket to pork tenderloin. The winner walks away with the Smoked trophy and $5,000, while the loser has to make a social media video promoting the winner's BBQ school.
Mississippi Queen - Episode Premiere: Wednesday, July 6 at 10/9c
Guest judges: Dr. BBQ and Moe Cason
Two top cooks from legendary Mississippi BBQ families have turned to Myron Mixon to crown one of them "Queen of Mississippi Barbecue." Leslie Scott is a legend in her own right, as the first and youngest woman to win the Memphis in May World Championship of BBQ. Brooke Orrison is well on her way to legend status, having won that same championship last year. Three challenges will determine who walks away with the Mississippi crown and $5,000, while the loser has to cook dinner for the winner and her team at the next Memphis in May competition.
Sunshine State Showdown - Episode Premiere: Wednesday, July 20 at 10/9c
Guest judges: Brad Orrison and Moe Cason
Perennial Florida BBQ Champions Matt Barber and Jim Elser have turned to Myron Mixon to settle their sweet and sticky rivalry once and for all. Over three rounds of BBQ and grilling challenges, they'll cook everything from pork butt to alligator tail in order to take home the Smoked trophy and $5,000. The winner gets bragging rights in their home state, while the loser has to get a tattoo of the winner's team logo!
Restaurant Wars - Episode Premiere: Wednesday, July 27 at 10/9c
Guest judges: Dr. BBQ and Moe Cason
Best friends Phil "The Grill" Johnson and Sterling "Smitty" Smith are starting a restaurant together and they've turned to Myron Mixon to decide who the head chef will be. Phil's got real-world cred with a top-rated food truck in their native Phoenix, Arizona. Meanwhile, Sterling has won ten BBQ grand championships and teaches barbecue classes. Three rounds will determine who walks away with the head restaurant job and $5,000. And each cook, including ribs and shrimp, will determine an item on their new menu.
Franchise Kings - Episode Premiere: Wednesday, August 3 at 10/9c
Guest judges: Dr. BBQ and Moe Cason
The brains behind two of America's biggest barbecue chains have come to Myron Mixon to settle their rivalry once and for all. "Famous" Dave Anderson of Famous Dave's BBQ built his restaurant chain from the ground up 30 years ago, and he's taking on Brandon Manly, the COO of Sonny's BBQ and the head of the Sonny's competitive BBQ cooking team. These two BBQ titans will face SMOKED's biggest challenges yet, from grilling ribs in an hour to cooking a whole hog. The winner takes home $5,000 for his favorite charity, and the loser will donate another $5,000 out of his own pocket.
SMOKED is produced for
Destination America by Citizen Pictures with Frank Matson, Tim McOsker, and Grant McGahuey as executive producers. For Destination America, Fay Yu is executive producer, Jane Latman is general manager, and Henry Schleiff is Group President of Investigation Discovery, Destination America, and American Heroes Channel.
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