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BBQ USA - Episode Guide

Season 1

Stick to Your Ribs

Episode: 1x01 | Airdate: Jul 11, 2022

Stick to Your Ribs

Michael Symon gets a taste of Kansas City-style 'que at the Qlathe BBQ Championship in Olathe, Kan. Rain or shine, 70 teams -- including big names and solo pitmasters -- are ready to battle the elements and tough competition for the $10,000 prize purse.

Shake Your Money Muscle

Episode: 1x02 | Airdate: Jul 18, 2022

Shake Your Money Muscle

Michael Symon heads to Tifton, Ga., for the Rhythm and Ribs BBQ Festival, where more than 60 teams fight it out to prove their 'que is the best and claim over $5,000 in prizes. There are longtime friends and rivals as well as newcomers ready to compete.

Risk It for the Brisket

Episode: 1x03 | Airdate: Jul 25, 2022

Risk It for the Brisket

Michael Symon visits the Lone Star State for the Cedar Fest BBQ Cook-Off. The teams compete in ribs, chicken and pork, but the real star is brisket. Which team has what it takes to win, and which teams are all hat and no cattle?

Who You Calling Chicken?

Episode: 1x04 | Airdate: Aug 1, 2022

Who You Calling Chicken?

Michael Symon ventures south to the Smoke on the Falls competition in Gadsden, Ala. From couples to friends to whole families, more than 60 teams compete, but only one will take home the title of Grand Champion. Who will sizzle, and who will fizzle?

Double Trouble

Episode: 1x05 | Airdate: Aug 8, 2022

Double Trouble

Michael Symon makes his way to the Garden State to see more than 40 teams compete over two days at the New Jersey Knoq-Out in Blairstown. A rookie competes against her mentors, and the teams find out if double the days leads to double the trophies.

Going Whole Hog

Episode: 1x06 | Airdate: Aug 15, 2022

Going Whole Hog

Michael Symon visits the Memphis in May festival to see some of the biggest names in BBQ, including Myron Mixon, Melissa Cookston and Erica Blaire Roby, go head-to-head in the whole hog category at the World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest.

Season 2

The Royal Rumble of BBQ

Episode: 2x01 | Airdate: Jul 10, 2023

The Royal Rumble of BBQ

Michael Symon is back and heading to the largest, most thrilling barbecue competition on Earth -- the legendary American Royal World Series of Barbecue. Over 500 BBQ pitmaster teams battle it out in two days for glory, bragging rights and a share of $85,000 in prize money. In addition to the big four categories -- ribs, brisket, chicken and pork -- these pitmasters have the added challenges of turkey and sausage. Plus, there's the largest Kids' BBQ Contest in the world.

A BBQ Slam Dunk

Episode: 2x02 | Airdate: Jul 17, 2023

A BBQ Slam Dunk

It's a fiery clash of flavors as Michael Symon heads to Elkton, Florida, for the 7th Annual Jimmy Jam BBQ Slam. Over 60 top pitmasters battle it out in six categories, including chicken, ribs, pulled pork and brisket, but this time there's a twist! They'll have to sizzle in a steak competition and go wild in the People's Choice category. The Jimmy Jam BBQ Slam is a festival of smokin' sensations!

Smokin' at the Crossroads

Episode: 2x03 | Airdate: Jul 24, 2023

Smokin' at the Crossroads

Hold onto your cowboy hats! Michael Symon heads to Uvalde, Texas, for the 15th Annual Briscoe Ranch BBQ Cook-off at the Crossroads, where top pitmasters from Texas and beyond vie for a tasty prize of $10,000. The BBQ action is hot with over 150 pitmaster teams smoking chicken, pork ribs, brisket and sizzling fajitas. Get ready for a finger-licking, fajita-flipping good time at Briscoe Ranch!

Smokin' in the Sunshine State

Episode: 2x04 | Airdate: Jul 31, 2023

Smokin' in the Sunshine State

Michael Symon dives into the BBQ extravaganza at the 12th Annual Butts & Clucks Cook-Off on the Bay in Apalachicola, Florida. Nearly 50 teams from the Southeast vie for the ultimate BBQ glory in the chicken, ribs, pork butt and brisket categories, all competing for over $12,000 in prizes. The Mystery Box throws a tasty challenge at the pitmasters, who serve up mouthwatering flavors and heated rivalries.

Battle on the Bayou

Episode: 2x05 | Airdate: Aug 7, 2023

Battle on the Bayou

Michael Symon heads to Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, for the exciting 3rd Annual Operation Smoke Sheaux, where over 60 teams compete for a share of the $10,000 total payout. It's an intense battle featuring chicken, spare ribs and brisket categories, along with a mouthwatering gumbo cook off. From the smoky flavors to the friendly rivalry, Operation Smoke Sheaux is the ultimate showdown for southern pitmasters.

Legends in Queens

Episode: 2x06 | Airdate: Aug 14, 2023

Legends in Queens

Michael Symon meets the who's who list of BBQ legends in the heart of Queens, New York, at the Pig Beach BBQ Benefit. Thirty renowned pitmasters gather to compete for the coveted title of Best BBQ Dish and the esteemed People's Choice Award. Michael gets all their inspiring stories, techniques and signature creations, from fiery wings to vegan delicacies. Beyond the sizzling competition, the pitmasters have come together as a tribute to the late co-owner of Pig Beach, Jeff Michner.

A Salmon Showdown

Episode: 2x07 | Airdate: Aug 21, 2023

A Salmon Showdown

The Pacific Northwest heats up as Michael Symon arrives at Washington's Spring Fair BBQ Playoffs, where over 30 pitmaster teams compete for a share of the $25,000 prize. Teams will compete in traditional categories like ribs, chicken, brisket and pork, as well as a new category this year: Anything Salmon. Seasoned pitmasters young and old throw their hat in the ring to see who will walk away with bragging rights and cash!

Memphis Mayhem

Episode: 2x08 | Airdate: Aug 28, 2023

Memphis Mayhem

Michael Symon assembles his dream team to take on over 150 teams from across the globe at the most prestigious barbecue cook off -- the Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest! With more than $145,000 in prize money up for grabs, the stakes are high. Facing fierce competitors, Michael and his team focus on the whole hog category and dive into the hot wings, sauce and "Anything But Pork" categories. With a mix of top pitmasters and culinary experts, including Joe Pearce, Susie Bulloch, Luke Darnell and Esther Choi, Michael's team is ready to conquer it all.

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