BBQ Brawl officially returned on the Food Network last weekend and tonight fans were gifted to two back-to-back episodes featuring a head-to-head showdown between Team Bobby, Team Antonia, and Team Maneet.
The name of the game in the second episode of season 6 is burgers and an epic feast. The first challenge of the night tasks the teams with creating delicious Tex-Mex burgers, with a twist. The team who delivers their burgers fastest gain an advantage later, and if they also manage to have the tastiest burgers then it's possible for the same team to get two advantages.
After the burger showdown, the three teams must then make a delicious feast comprised of only chicken as their staple protein. Well, that's what they think at first, until the twist reveals that they'll be able to bid on surf or turf by using their two hours of cooktime.
Burger relay race
For this challenge, each team had to slice and grill whole-slab bacon, custom-season and grill four burger patties, create 16 ounces of spicy southwestern mayo, 16 ounces of guacmole, and slice two cups of red onion.
With Antonia's team down one member, she took on the task of doing two things so everyone else on her team could focus on just one. But ultimately, Team Boddy wins both the speed challenge and the flavor one with their smoked chile and honey-glazed bacon burgers, perfect cooked and tender. Sadly, Team Antonia's team was eliminated, and while Team Maneet made a tasty Tex-Mex chorizo burger, it was a little unevenly cook which led Bobby's team to their second win.
Winner: Team Bobby
Bougie feast
The second challenge had each team prepared to make an epic feast with just chicken. But then judge Carson Kressley wheeled out two auctioning tables, one laden with seafood and another with choice cuts of prime meat, such as lamb chops and ribeye steak. Bobby's team sacrifices about 30 minutes of their time to secure the seafood while Team Antonia surrenders nearly an hour for the steak. Team Maneet decides to play it safe and stick with the chicken.
So, what dishes did each team cook up?
Team Bobby, Wood-Fired Luxury
- Grilled lobster tail on blue corn hoecake
- Hot smoked salmon with blood orange Sauvignon blanc sauce
- Head-on prawns with lobster caviar sauce
- Scored and grilled branzino with sawsawan sauce
Team Antonia, Live Fire Mediterranean
- Bone-in ribeye with herb butter
- Smoked duck with cavatelli
- Fennel and black pepper crusted lamb with salsa verde
- Stuffed tomatoes with charred zuchinni and parmesan crust on top
Team Maneet, Winner Winner Chicken Dinner
- Charred brussell sprouts and pancetta salad on homemade flatbread
- Black truffle stuffed chicken with BĂ©arnaise sauce
- Pistachio crusted Texas smoked chicken
- Creamy polenta with brown butter mushrooms
- Burnt orange smoky dark chocolate mousse
Despite an impressive line-up, it was Antonia's team declared safe first, followed by Bobby, and then Maneet's team had to go to the bonfire.
Which chef went home?
For this episode, the chef who was sent packing turned out to be Chef Arturo Ramon II from Team Maneet as his smoked chicken was labeled more "rustic" than bougie by the judges. Since Arturo is more comfortable cooking on an open flame, this challenge proved to be a little difficult for him.
Having to leave the show, Arturo said his goodbyes to his team members and expressed his gratitude, noting that he has no regrets and is excited to return home to his family and immediately light a fire again!