# Barbecue Showdown (2020)

> Eight of the country's top backyard pitmasters compete in a friendly but fierce bid for the title of American Barbecue Champion.

Canonical page: https://ember.film/tv/91657

## Facts

- Seasons: 3
- Episodes: 24
- Episode runtime: 43 min
- Status: Returning Series
- Genres: reality
- Created by: Daniel Calin
- Network: Netflix
- Cast: Kevin Bludso, Melissa Cookston, Lyric Lewis, Rutledge Wood, Michelle Buteau
- TMDB rating: 7.1/10
- IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12938472/

## Ember's analysis

- Pacing: brisk
- Intensity: mild
- Complexity: simple
- Violence: none
- Tone: friendly, upbeat, warm, competitive, cheerful

## What critics say

Reviewers generally find it a pleasant, good-natured cooking competition, though its format is familiar.

## Synopsis

Barbecue Showdown (2020-present) is a United States reality cooking competition series created by Daniel Calin and streamed on Netflix. Eight of the country's finest backyard smokers and pitmasters face off in a fierce but friendly contest for the title of American Barbecue Champion. Each episode follows the cooks as they tackle smoked meats, sauces, and sides under the watchful eyes of judges Kevin Bludso and Melissa Cookston, with Michelle Buteau hosting the proceedings. The engine of the show is simple: a home cook's pride in a family recipe, the clock ticking on a cook, and the pressure of a panel that knows its brisket. Its episodes move briskly, with the rivalry playful rather than cruel, and the camaraderie among competitors giving the cheerful, warm tone a comforting edge. Viewers who enjoy Chopped, The Great British Bake Off, and Top Chef will find the same blend of skill, suspense, and good-natured competition. Across its returning seasons, the series offers a light, appetizing watch that celebrates regional barbecue tradition and the craft of low and slow cooking.

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