Barbecue enthusiasts around the world were glued to their screens in 2022 as season 3 of BBQ Brawl played out. This intense grilling competition featured talented teams competing to create mouthwatering BBQ dishes and wow the judges. Now that the smoke has cleared, who emerged victorious in season 3? Let’s take a closer look at how the competition unfolded and who took home the grand prize.
An Overview of BBQ Brawl
For those unfamiliar, BBQ Brawl is a television series airing on Discovery Channel. Each season, teams of talented BBQ pitmasters and chefs face off in a bracket-style competition to see who can create the most impressive grilled and smoked meat masterpieces.
The competition takes place over several weeks, with a new grilling challenge in each episode. Teams must cook with unique ingredients, meet tight time limits, and cope with additional surprises and obstacles. A panel of expert judges carefully reviews each dish and scores based on taste, tenderness, presentation, and creativity. Teams with the lowest scores are eliminated each round until only one remains.
BBQ Brawl first premiered in 2020 and has quickly become a hit among barbecue fans. The show captures the thrill of competition blended with the mouthwatering appeal of smoked brisket, fall-off-the-bone ribs, and other tantalizing BBQ delights. Let’s look at how season 3 played out.
Reviewing the Teams for Season 3
The third season of BBQ Brawl brought together eight talented teams from across the United States:
- Gator Pit BBQ – A father-son team from Florida passionate about blending Floridian and Texan BBQ styles.
- Smokin’ Aces – Best friends from Kansas City known for their competition-style ribs and brisket.
- Girls Can Grill – A team of female pitmasters from North Carolina skilled in Eastern Carolina whole hog cooking.
- The Hickory Sticks – Brothers from Memphis bringing the flavors of Tennessee BBQ to the competition.
- Bayou Boys – Cajun cooks from Louisiana fired up to showcase authentic Creole cuisine.
- Sweet Creek Cookers – Husband and wife team from central Texas and masters of brisket and sausage.
- Smoke & Dagger – A unique team with a Marine sergeant and a chef competing to support veterans.
- PNW Pitties – Young guns and childhood friends from the Pacific Northwest excited to highlight regional grilling styles.
This diverse mix of regional BBQ talents meant season 3 was sure to bring intense competition and bold new flavors.
Early Challenges in the Competition
The first four episodes of BBQ Brawl season 3 featured elimination-style cooking challenges between the eight teams:
Episode 1: Burgers and Hot Dogs
Right out of the gate, the teams were challenged to elevate American classics – burgers and hot dogs. Unique twists ranged from Hawaiian burgers by the PNW Pitties to Cajun alligator sausage dogs by Bayou Boys. In the end, the expert judges awarded the win to Girls Can Grill for their succulent lamb burgers with feta and mint. Smokin’ Aces also impressed but came up just short.
Episode 2: Steak and Potatoes
The steaks were high in episode 2 as the teams battled to create amazing steak and potato dishes. The Hickory Sticks wowed with coffee-crusted filet mignon, while Gator Pit went for Swamp Steak with cheesy potato cake. But it was Sweet Creek Cookers who claimed victory with mesquite-smoked tri-tip roast and loaded twice-baked potatoes. Smoke & Dagger’s creativity couldn’t save them from elimination.
Episode 3: Seafood Showdown
BBQ pros had to step out of their comfort zone with a surf and turf challenge. Girls Can Grill continued their domination with blackened shrimp over jalapeno cheese grits. Bayou Boys also impressed with Creole jambalaya but came up short. In the end, it was a tough goodbye for the PNW Pitties after their risky mussels didn’t deliver.
Episode 4: Pizza and Wings
In the final qualifying round, BBQ pizza and wings took center stage. Gator Pit came out firing with a unique Floribbean jerk chicken pizza. The Hickory Sticks played it safer with Memphis BBQ chicken wings but failed to advance. Sweet Creek Cookers clinched the last spot in the semi-finals with their brisket pizza with pickled onions.
The Semifinal Round – BBQ Showstoppers
With four teams left hungry for victory, the competition moved to the semifinals. Over two new episodes, the teams had to create BBQ showstoppers – dishes dramatic and delicious enough to lock in their spot in the finale.
Episode 5: Smoked Game Showdown
Cooking wild proteins like bison, venison, and boar separated the best from the rest. Sweet Creek blew away the judges with coffee-chili smoked venison served with squash cornbread. Girls Can Grill also impressed with their slightly gamey wild boar tenderloin. But Bayou Boys couldn’t keep up and saw their BBQ dreams go up in smoke.
Episode 6: Battle of the Brisket
It all came down to brisket, the king of all smoked meats. Gator Pit opted for a Cuban mojo brisket with fried plantains that delighted the judges. Sweet Creek Cookers stuck to Central Texas tradition with a peppery wet brisket. But Girls Can Grill took the win and clinched their finale spot with intricate burnt ends and wagyu brisket pot stickers – an inventive twist on a BBQ classic.
The Season 3 Finale – Victory for Girls Can Grill!
The competition reached its peak in an intense culinary showdown between Gator Pit BBQ and Girls Can Grill. With $50,000 and a coveted BBQ Brawl trophy on the line, who would become the season 3 champion?
Both finalists pulled out all the stops and impressed the judges throughout the finale:
- Gator Pit’s Floribbean Feast wowed with jerk spare ribs, Cuban black beans, and mojo pulled pork. Their passion for fusing Floridian and Caribbean flavors shone brightly.
- Girls Can Grill’s Pig & Prawns duo of smoked whole hog with shrimp boil grits showed their masterful skills with Carolina BBQ.
- For the final cook, Gator Pit went bold with an ambitious Whole Alligator & Steak Tacos dish. Meanwhile, Girls Can Grill stuck to their roots with Pulled Chicken Banh Mi sandwiches.
In the end, the judges awarded victory and the title of BBQ Brawl season 3 champion to….Girls Can Grill! Their consistency, innovation, and command of regional barbecue styles put them over the top. The talented all-female team walked away with the grand prize after a hard-fought and flavorful competition.
The judges praised Girls Can Grill’s “impeccable balance of traditional BBQ techniques with bold new flavors.” BBQ legend Myron Mixon also noted their “expert smoking skills and ability to handle the pressure of competition.” For becoming the first all-female team to win BBQ Brawl, Girls Can Grill earned praise both for their masterful food and advancement for women in the male-dominated world of professional barbecue.
Spotlight on the Winning Team’s Pitmaster
A key part of Girls Can Grill’s success came from the leadership of their head pitmaster, Lisa Thomas. This grill queen is a true veteran of barbecue competitions and restaurants across the Carolinas.
Lisa grew up in rural North Carolina where BBQ traditions run deep. She cut her teeth working at iconic Carolina smokehouses before launching her own catering company. Her talent for whole hog open pit smoking made Lisa a local legend.
On BBQ Brawl, Lisa wowed with her poise under pressure and encyclopedic knowledge of regional techniques. She led Girls Can Grill with a steady hand, keeping the team focused and organized. Her sharp eye ensured their plates had perfect presentation.
Lisa’s chops as a businesswoman are equally impressive. She now owns three thriving restaurants in North Carolina and has authored cookbooks sharing her lifetime of barbecue wisdom. Lisa continues to mentor young female pitmasters and advocate for women pushing boundaries in the BBQ world.
Girls Can Grill would likely not have claimed victory without Lisa’s bold flavors, competitive experience, and cool head under fire. Her leadership in the finale exemplified why she is considered royalty among Carolina barbecue masters.
Looking Ahead to Season 4 and Beyond
BBQ Brawl continues to captivate audiences who can’t get enough of high-stakes grilling action. With season 3 now in the record books, fans are already looking ahead to the next competition.
If BBQ Brawl stays true to form, season 4 will bring another diverse new crop of talented teams ready to claim the title. Past seasons have also introduced fresh twists and cooking challenges to keep viewers on their toes.
One thing is certain – BBQ Brawl has solidified its place as must-see TV for barbecue enthusiasts. With charismatic competitors, mouthwatering menus, and endless backyard grilling inspiration, BBQ Brawl has won the hearts of smoked meat lovers everywhere.
Girls Can Grill may have taken the crown in season 3, but the race for barbecue supremacy promises to be wide open once again when BBQ Brawl returns. Which talented team will have what it takes to achieve grilling greatness and emerge victorious when the smoke clears once more? We’ll have to tune in and find out!
Frequently Asked Questions About BBQ Brawl Season 3
Here are answers to some common questions about season 3 of the BBQ Brawl competition:
Who were the judges for Season 3 of BBQ Brawl?
The judging panel featured three returning experts:
- Myron Mixon – The “winningest man in barbecue” and author of bestselling cookbooks. Known for his pulled pork and steady hand as a judge.
- Moe Cason – Memphis pitmaster and builder of custom smokers. Brings extensive knowledge of regional barbecue styles.
- Ash Fulk – Award-winning Kansas City barbecue chef with expertise in brisket, ribs, and competition techniques.
Where was Season 3 filmed?
The competition took place in a new outdoor venue called BBQ Alley located in Arkansas. This custom venue provided a larger space with facilities for live-fire cooking.
How many teams competed in Season 3?
There were 8 teams made up of professional chefs and backyard smokers. The teams came from barbecue hotspots like Texas, Kansas City, Memphis, and the Carolinas.
What was the prize for the Season 3 winner?
The BBQ Brawl champion received $50,000 and an impressive trophy shaped like a giant smoker. There were also weekly prizes for challenge winners.
Will there be a Season 4 of BBQ Brawl?
Yes, the show has been renewed for a fourth season! It will likely air in late 2023 and feature another cast of talented barbecue teams competing head-to-head.
Are the BBQ Brawl judges actual barbecue experts?
Absolutely. Myron Mixon, Moe Cason, and Ash Fulk are all award-winning pitmasters with decades of experience in competitive barbecue and the restaurant business. Their critiques of each dish are informed by true expertise.
Conclusion
The third season of BBQ Brawl delivered another exciting edition of competitive grilling action. After a fierce contest between skilled teams, Girls Can Grill emerged victorious thanks to their standout brisket, whole hog, and signature twists on barbecue classics. Their win serves as inspiration for talented female pitmasters everywhere.
With season 4 on the horizon, BBQ Brawl continues to showcase the heights that teams can reach when pressed to master fire, smoke, and flavor. This peek into the thrilling world of competitive barbecue leaves fans hungry for more sizzling showdowns between the best in the business. Whoever the contenders may be, season 4 is sure to bring mouthwatering barbecue and edge-of-your-seat entertainment when it returns.