Megan Day, a barbecue pro from Lee’s Summit and no stranger to reality television, will compete on the new season of Food Network’s “BBQ Brawl.” The season premieres with a special 90-minute episode at 8 p.m. June 14.
Celebrity chefs Bobby Flay and Michael Symon return as hosts, and are joined by Eddie Jackson to coach teams of barbecue pros on how to smoke the competition. Each of the 10 episodes will feature two rounds of barbecue battles that test the competitors’ individual grilling skills and ability to collaborate as a team. The winner among the 12 competitors will become Food Network’s official barbecue expert for the year.
“One of the really bright spots of it is that some of the most buzzworthy folks were chosen to be a part of this adventure,” Day said this week in a phone interview. “It’s humbling and it’s very exciting and thrilling.”
The season was filmed at the Star Hill Ranch in Austin, Texas. Three judges will decide which team was least successful in each episode. The weakest member of that team will be eliminated.
Day is certainly not new to TV fame. In 2017 she won Round 1 of Food Network’s “Chopped Grill Masters” and was featured on NBC’s “Today” show for a grilling segment pegged to the kickoff of the NFL season. She’s gotten to meet pitmasters from all over the country, and they continue to communicate over social media to support one another’s career journeys.
“Barbecue is a family. We get just as excited for our friends to win as ourselves,” Day said.
Day and her husband, Jason Day, continue to run Burnt Finger BBQ, which sells meat, sauces and rubs. The pandemic has affected their business in a “very positive way,” she said, as more people want to cook in their backyards instead of eat in restaurants. They’re selling more internationally, particularly in Australia, Italy, the Netherlands and Denmark.
Day’s products are available on the Home Shopping Network and local restaurants such as Martin City Brewing Company and Stuey McBrews.
Day has not planned a public watch party but looks forward to celebrating the premiere with her family.