Smoking Series
Celebrity chef Bobby Flay returns to Austin for BBQ Brawl Season 6

Left to right: chefs Antonia Lofaso, Bobby Flay, and Maneet Chauhan
Bobby Flay is bringing his beef to Austin, showing down with two challenger chefs at Star Hill Ranch. It's the beginning of a new season of Food Network's BBQ Brawl, airing on Sunday, June 1, at 8 pm. Flay will go up against chefs Maneet Chauhan and Antonia Lofaso, with Carson Kressley, Brooke Williamson, and Rodney Scott sitting on the judges' panel.
Now entering its sixth season, the Texas barbecue series sets up the battling chefs as team captains, each with specialty pitmasters helping to fit the challenge briefs. A release promises the "wildest season yet" of live-fire cooking.
The season premiere keeps it simple, asking each of 12 new “Brawlers” to show off their signature eats on Texas Toast. They may win a chance to choose their team captain. Then the teams get to know each other in their first group challenge.
Notable episodes scheduled for the sixth season include episode 2, “4th Annual BBQ Games,” structured as a burger-building relay race and interspersed with a competitive auction; episode 3, “Global Live-Fire Feast,” which replaces grills and smokers with tools from cuisines around the world; and episode 6, “Chuck Wagon Wars,” where the teams have to use old-fashioned cooking techniques to make breakfast and “a hearty, cowboy-worthy feast.”
Chef Chauhan is an Indian-American chef who has won a James Beard Award of Excellence and appeared on several TV shows including Chopped and Iron Chef America. She is primarily known for her knowledge and ability in many global cuisines. Chef Lofaso is an American chef and cookbook author with Italian roots, and has appeared on shows including Tournament of Champions and Cutthroat Kitchen. She is known for bridging her home and professional lives, often calling on her experience as a mom when cooking.
Chef Flay continues his time-honored tradition of instigating battles with other chefs — celebrities and otherwise — and backing himself up with lots of versatility and strong technique.
Some Austinites may already be familiar with Star Hill Ranch in Bee Cave. The collection of historic buildings forms a recreated pioneer village that is now used as a wedding and events venue. Even though Texans will have to watch the recordings on TV or online like anyone else, there is certainly a focus on Texas cooking styles that should be fun for locals to see.
Viewers who want a barbecue marathon can tune in early on June 1 to see the final three episodes of the fifth season, starting at 3 pm.