After nearly two years of anticipation, The American Barbecue Showdown’s Season 2 has finally arrived! Set to premiere on Netflix in September 2020, this food competition series quickly won over barbecue enthusiasts across the nation. Following top backyard smokers and competitive barbequers from across America in pursuit of crowning an American Barbecue Champion. Each episode presents unique challenges testing contestants’ skills with different meats and techniques; let’s dive deeper into what to expect and introduce our cast of contestants for Season 2.
Meet Our New Contestants
This season brings with it an incredible cast of pitmasters and barbecue experts such as Thyron Mathews, Cindy Hayter, Delilah Winder, Michelle Lundstrom Joey Victorian Eduardo Gonzalez Logan Sandoval to name just a few! Each bringing with them their own expertise.
Thyron Mathews, an award-winning pitmaster and the founder of T&T BBQ – a family-owned business offering sauces and dry rubs – strives to bring southern explosive flavors to northeast Iowa through his business with his uncle Ced. Together they strive to deliver an immersive BBQ experience, combining tradition with innovation.
Cindy Hayter may remain unknown to many but can be followed on Instagram, giving fans a window into her barbecue journey and offering fans something special at competitions. Cindy promises to add her unique flavor and enthusiasm.
Delilah Winder is an award-winning personal chef and lead chef consultant for the American Heart and Stroke Associations, known for her innovative culinary talents and dedication to healthy cooking practices. Her involvement will add an intriguing element to the competition.
Michelle Lundstrom is best known by her nickname of Money Michelle as host of the Absolute Fire podcast. Michelle regularly shares her culinary creations on Instagram to provide inspiration and recipes to her followers, making her an outstanding contestant on this show.
Joey Victorian, another pitmaster, owns Victorian’s Barbecue and began operating out of a food trailer before expanding to a brick-and-mortar location in Mart, Texas. Joey has made traditional barbecue techniques his priority to become one of the leading contenders.
Eduardo Gonzalez of 187 BBQ has become known for their catering and pop-up events throughout Southern California, offering catering and pop-up catering. Their ability to adapt their cooking methods for various cooking environments and provide consistent quality makes Eduardo an adept competitor.
Logan Sandoval, owner and chef at ZEF BBQ is an innovative chef bridging old-school barbecue techniques with modern presentation, flavor and execution to deliver outstanding dishes that impress both judges and viewers. His innovative approach will delight both judges and viewers.
New Host and Returning Judges
Michelle Buteau Takes Over Hosting Duties Season 1 of The American Barbecue Showdown was hosted by auto racing analyst Rutledge Wood; for Season 2, stand-up comedian and actress Michelle Buteau will take on hosting duties. Michelle is best known for her roles in films such as Isn’t It Romantic, Always Be My Maybe and First Wives Club as well as hosting reality competition series such as Netflix’s The Circle.
Kevin Bludso and Melissa Cookston Return as Judges
Fans will recognize two familiar names on the judging panel this season: Kevin Bludso and Melissa Cookston.
Kevin Bludso is a chef and restaurateur renowned for owning Bludso’s Bar & Cue in San Antone and Bludso’s Bar & Cue in Atlanta. His expertise in barbecue and charismatic personality have made him beloved figures within the barbecue community.
Melissa Cookston is a chef, cookbook author and restaurateur who has won seven American Barbecue World Championship titles and two top prize awards at Memphis in May American Barbecue World Championship. As the only female American Barbecue World Champion ever to hold this honorable position, Melissa sets high standards of competition that make her unique within this arena. Additionally, Melissa has appeared on popular food shows like Chopped and The Kitchen to share her expertise and set new trends within this sport.
Anticipation Builds
With its captivating new cast and return of beloved judges, Season 2 of The American Barbecue Showdown promises intense competition, delectable cuisine, and plenty of surprises for viewers of this popular cooking competition series. Audience members can look forward to witnessing how each contestant adapts to unique challenges presented during each episode while showcasing their barbecue expertise – while experienced pitmasters will join aspiring newcomers to ensure an exciting viewing experience that keeps audiences guessing!