Hot competition
San Antonio-area pitmaster heads for barbecue beatdown on new Food Network show
From where to get the best enchiladas to the proper preparation of chicken fried steak, food is a matter of intense debate in the Lone Star State. Still, there’s one culinary matter that every Texan can agree with: we have the best barbecue in the world.
Now one of Texas' most respected pitmasters has a chance to prove it in front of a nationwide audience. A Food Network rep has confirmed that Adrian Davila of Davila’s BBQ in Seguin will battle a crew of grill greats on BBQ Beatdown on Sunday, September 1.
Davila will have the home-court advantage as he vies for a $10,000 prize against barbecue competition champion “Big” Moe Cason, author and television personality Danielle “Diva Q” Bennett, and Carey Bringle, the pitmaster behind Nashville’s famous Peg Leg Porker. The episode was filmed at Bangers Sausage House & Beer Garden in Austin.
Like many competition shows, the new series challenges each contestant to use a mystery ingredient a la Chopped. Though the Food Network is keeping the exact details under wraps, the challenges will involve chicken pot pie, Texas pecans, grapefruit, and pork butt.
Davila is no stranger to TV. In addition to having been featured on the Cooking Channel’s Man Fire Food, he has served as an expert judge on the Travel Channel’s American Grilled and Food Network’s BBQ Kids Champion. In 2015, he bested Roe DiLeo (of Hell’s Kitchen fame) and The Rustic founder Kyle Noonan on BBQ Blitz.
Will he once again come out on top again? Find out when the episode airs at noon. Or better yet, head to Seguin for a brunch viewing party from 11 am to 2 pm.