Barbecue is not just a culinary delight for the teenagers featured in the docuseries “BBQ High”; it has evolved into a fiercely competitive high school sport in Texas. This unique series, premiering on August 18 on the Magnolia Network, showcases the intense world of high school barbecue teams vying for the state championship and the chance to secure life-changing scholarship money.
In the trailer, one contestant passionately declares, “It’s our way of life.” This sentiment encapsulates the dedication and commitment these young competitors have towards their craft. The series follows various groups of Texas teens as they navigate the challenges and triumphs of competing in their high schools’ barbecue teams.
The Texas High School Barbecue scene is a massive event, bringing together hundreds of high schools from across the state. As a commentator notes in the trailer, the competition aims to determine who truly is the best of the best. Viewers are treated to mouthwatering visuals of smoked ribs, brisket, chicken, and other delectable meats, while the contestants share their love for barbecuing and the stakes involved in the competitions.
For many of these students, barbecue is more than just a hobby; it is their sport. One coach emphasizes this point, stating, “For those high school kids who don’t play any other sport, this is their sport.” This sentiment resonates with the contestants, as one teen reflects on how the barbecue team has provided her with a sense of belonging during her high school years. “Barbecue is definitely one of the areas in high school that I felt like I belonged,” she shares.
The series also highlights the emotional rollercoaster that comes with competitive barbecuing. One competitor expresses the overwhelming pressure of planning for the future, stating, “It’s overwhelming for me to figure out my future, but making really good food, it makes me happy.” However, the high-pressure environment is palpable, as seen in moments of tension where team dynamics are tested. One high schooler exclaims, “The fire’s dead — why aren’t we paying attention to the fire?” In another scene, a competitor confronts a teammate for jeopardizing their cook, saying, “You’re messing up my cook, you’re messing up your cook, you’re messing up the morale of the team.”
As the trailer builds to its climax, viewers hear the announcement of the state champions, heightening the anticipation and excitement. “First place in the high school barbecue state championship…” the announcer declares, as clips of anxious competitors flash across the screen. A coach reminds the team, “If y’all wanna win something like this, y’all gotta put the work in.”
The premiere of “BBQ High” promises to be an engaging exploration of the competitive barbecue culture among Texas teens. Each episode will drop weekly, allowing viewers to follow the journey of these young pitmasters as they strive for greatness in the world of barbecue.
In a related story, the competitive barbecue scene is also making waves at Madison High School, where three teams recently made it to the top 10 at the national level. Among them is the all-girls team, “Meat Militia,” which made history by becoming the first all-girls team to win the national title. Their coach, Janell McMullan, expressed pride in their achievements, stating, “We were not only national champions, we were third place and sixth place as well.”
The students dedicate countless hours to perfecting their barbecue skills, learning everything from seasoning to meat preparation. Team members Hannah McMullan and Jada Murphey shared their experiences, with McMullan describing the feeling of winning as “surreal.” Murphey added, “It is shocking that we are the first all-girls, like especially national championship.”
The success of “Meat Militia” is a significant milestone in a traditionally male-dominated field. Murphey noted, “I feel like barbecue is more like a male-dominated thing, especially like with holidays it is always the dad barbecuing. I feel like this proves them wrong. Like we are all girls. Girls can cook too, and we have a female coach.”
Beyond the competition, the students emphasize the life skills they gain through their involvement in barbecue. Wyatt Dittrich and Aubry Donato, members of other teams, expressed pride in being part of a group that grows and learns together. “We work hard and we are into it,” Dittrich said. “We have the passion to go out and do it.”
As the competitive barbecue scene continues to evolve, it is clear that for these teens, barbecue is more than just a meal; it is a way of life that fosters camaraderie, resilience, and a sense of belonging. The journey of these young pitmasters is just beginning, and “BBQ High” is set to capture their stories, challenges, and triumphs in the intense world of competitive barbecuing.
Source: PEOPLE, Magnolia Network
