Local fans of Food Network’s reality cooking competition “BBQ Brawl” may see a familiar name in the TV show’s season six premiere June 1.

The details

Chef Arturo Ramon II of Blanco River Meat Company, a local catering company, is in the newest season of “BBQ Brawl.” The show stars celebrity chef Bobby Flay and other chefs, who coach pitmasters from across the U.S. in a series of grilling challenges.

This season’s team captains are Flay, Maneet Chauhan and Antonia Lofaso.

Ramon, who is an open-fire chef, said Flay has always been an inspiration to him and remembers watching “Boy Meets Grill,” an early-2000s Food Network show starring Flay.


Ramon said he is excited to showcase his grilling skills on “BBQ Brawl.”

“I specialize in whole-animal cooks and open fire,” Ramon said. “There's no gas, there's no pellet grills, nothing like that I work with. It's all fire, coals, wood.... Then, of course... being able to showcase your skills against what I consider some of the greatest cooks in the country.”

“BBQ Brawl” season six takes place at Star Hill Ranch in Bee Cave. Ramon, who resides in Wimberley, said it was nice to have a “home-court advantage.”

He said he enjoyed learning about new techniques from the other pitmasters.


“The word ‘barbecue’ means so many different things to different people all over the country, but that’s what’s wonderful about it, “ Ramon said. “[Regionally,] it’s a little bit different, even down to the wood that we use, so being able to showcase that and see what they do and putting it together when you're on a team is really cool.”

Check it out

The first episode of “BBQ Brawl: Flay V. Chauhan V. Lofaso,” "Cookin' Up Something New," will air at 8 p.m. June 1, on Food Network. Ramon and his fellow competitors will compete over 10 episodes to be named “Master of ‘Cue” and have their grilling skills featured on Food Network social platforms.

“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,” Flay said in a news release. “Summertime heralds outdoor cooking, and BBQ Brawl celebrates all that entails with a healthy dose of competition to keep it exciting.”


“BBQ Brawl”