Tournament of Champions winners Maneet Chauhan and Antonia Lafaso join Bobby Flay's BBQ Brawl 

With a significant talent injection, Food Network's popular summer competition show, BBQ Brawl, is heating up the grills for its sixth season. On April 30, the network revealed that Bobby Flay will be joined by culinary titans Maneet Chauhan and Antonia Lofaso as team leaders for the next season. Both newcomers have exceptional credentials, having demonstrated their ability to compete in the Tournament of Champions.

Chauhan claimed victory in both the second and fifth seasons, while Lofaso took home the title in the most recent sixth season. The revamped format will see these three culinary giants each leading a team of barbecue enthusiasts through a series of increasingly challenging grilling competitions at Austin's Star Hill Ranch.

This fresh lineup promises to intensify the already heated competition, with Food Network billing the upcoming season as the "most primal" iteration yet, featuring unprecedented twists including a face-off between the captains and their team members.

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Tournament of Champions winners add star power to BBQ Brawl

BBQ Brawl's lineup, which has previously featured alternating captains including Michael Symon, Eddie Jackson, Jet Tila, Anne Burrell, Sunny Anderson, and Michael Voltaggio, is shaken up by the arrival of Chauhan and Lofaso. Each of these two culinary titans contributes something special that has the potential to significantly alter the battle.

A two-time Tournament of Champions competitor and a fan favourite from Chopped, Chauhan is renowned for her strong Indian flavours and razor-sharp skill, which might offer her side a significant edge in the competitive world of barbecue.

Meanwhile, Lofaso is coming in hot off a Tournament of Champions win. With her Italian roots and deep experience on shows like Top Chef and Cutthroat Kitchen, she’s no stranger to pressure and knows how to lead a team to victory. Her tactical approach to cooking challenges may translate well to mentoring aspiring pitmasters.

Bobby Flay, the show's constant presence across all seasons, seems ready for the challenge from his accomplished peers.

"This season has something for everyone, whether you are a professional grill master, a weekend warrior, or simply love the smokey char of barbecue done right. Summertime heralds outdoor cooking, and 'BBQ Brawl' celebrates all that entails with a healthy dose of competition to keep it exciting," Flay stated in the announcement.

The sixth season of BBQ Brawl promises to push contestants beyond traditional barbecue boundaries. According to Food Network's release, viewers can expect "never-before-seen twists and turns" that will test versatility and adaptability.

One highlight will be a first-time "Brawlers vs. Captains battle," pitting team members against their mentors. Another challenge draws inspiration from global grilling traditions, requiring competitors to master unfamiliar cooking equipment from around the world.

The season will also feature competitions using Old West live fire gear, a surprising baking challenge, and a meatless feast that will push barbecue traditionalists out of their comfort zones. Perhaps the Argentinian Asado Iron Cross challenge will be most technically demanding, testing the competitors' mastery of this complex grilling technique.

Betsy Ayala from Warner Bros. Discovery emphasized the competitive element, noting:

"There are many challengers who would like a chance to beat Bobby Flay, and with all the victories under their respective belts, Maneet Chauhan and Antonia Lofaso have both shown they are contenders to take this season's crown. It's a game of skill and cooking acumen but also teamwork and trust, and this season's challenges really put all that to the test for the mentors and their teams."

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Familiar faces return to BBQ Brawl as judges

While the captain's table sees new faces, the judging panel remains consistent. Returning to evaluate the grilled creations are renowned pitmaster Rodney Scott, Top Chef winner Brooke Williamson, and television personality Carson Kressley.

This stability in judging contrasts with the changing competitive landscape, providing continuity as the twelve new competitors face increasingly difficult challenges throughout the season.

The season structure of BBQ Brawl builds toward what promises to be an epic conclusion. According to the announcement, a surprise elimination will send remaining competitors directly into the finale, where an overnight challenge will ultimately determine the "Master of Cue."

The twelve BBQ Brawl contenders facing these challenges include Tyler Anderson, Kyle Bryner, Jason Dady, Alexandra Donnadio, Greg Gatlin, Brad Leighninger, Thyron Mathews, Rosalie Bradford Pareja, Orchid Paulmeier, Tim Van Doren, Arturo Ramon, and Aarthi Sampath.

With the addition of Chauhan and Lofaso bringing their competitive pedigrees to the outdoor cooking arena, BBQ Brawl appears positioned to deliver its most captivating season yet when it heats up Food Network screens this summer.

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BBQ Brawl Season 6 premieres Sunday, June 1, 2025, at 9|8c on Food Network and streams the next day on Max.