'BBQ Brawl''s Season 6 Has a New Twist — Why Bobby Flay Likes the Change (Exclusive)
The sixth season of BBQ Brawl premiered on Food Network on Sunday, June 1
Flay tells PEOPLE new captains Maneet Chauhan and Antonia Lofaso give the show "renewed energy"
Season 6 also features a new rule in which the winner of the first challenge gets to pick their captainBBQ Brawl's sixth season premiered earlier this week with a new twist: The winner of the first challenge gets to pick their captain.
Bobby Flay, who faces off with fellow captains Maneet Chauhan and Antonia Lofaso, says the shakeup from previous seasons, in which captains picked their entire teams, changes the dynamic — in a good way.
'We always want to be that person because everybody has an ego,' Flay tells PEOPLE. 'And so it kind of got turned around on us for a second, which I actually liked.'
The first episode, which aired Sunday, June 1, saw chef Aarthi Sampath choose to be on Lofaso's team.
Flay says the new season has 'serious renewed energy,' thanks to the addition of Lofaso and Chauhan.
'When I asked them to do this, they prepared themselves so incredibly well for so long prior to shooting this,' he recalls. 'I mean, they did tons of research. They were practicing, cooking, all this sort of live-fire cooking, and they really brought their own sort of energy and attitude and obviously flavors to it. And I will say that they kept me on my toes the entire time.'
The culinary star adds that Lofaso is 'all about impactful flavors.'
'She's so intense in her mentoring in the best way,' he explains. 'She's very dedicated to her team. She wants them to do really well. She's almost kind of like a proud mom to them.'
Chauhan, he observes, is 'a master with Indian flavors and ingredients.'
'It was really interesting watching those ingredients come to life in this sort of very classic American function of barbecue,' he notes.
The new season, set at Star Hill Ranch in Austin, Texas, sees 12 new brawlers face off in teams led by Flay, Chauhan and Lofaso, aiming to win over returning judges Carson Kressley, Brooke Williamson (whom Flay began dating earlier this year) and Rodney Scott.
Flay says the series' contestants tend to be 'students of the show.'
'They pay very close attention,' he says. 'Obviously, I've been on every season, so they kind of know what I like and what I don't like, what my style's going to be, how I'm going to mentor them, and those kinds of things.'
'They don't know who the other two mentors are going to be until they get there, but I think that every season, they seem to be better,' he continues. 'And I think it's not that everybody's better than the prior seasons, but they're just more schooled. So they know, they kind of drill down on what they need to do to win.'
When it comes to fan reactions to the long-running series, which premiered in 2019, Flay says 'everybody has an opinion' on barbecue.
'And so we get a lot of feedback of, 'I wouldn't have done it that way and my grandfather would've never thought that was good.' And then people are like, 'I can't believe I have all these new ideas about barbecue. I never thought about it that way.' So it kind of goes both ways. But the one thing about it is people are watching it and they're interested in it and I love when people have opinions about stuff. I think if it was all just good or all just not good, there's no reason to watch. But when there's a conversation about it, which there is tons of conversation about BBQ Brawl, it works.'
Read the original article on People
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
28 minutes ago
- USA Today
Robert Graham unveils new Superman collection with bold style
Dress like a legend. If you're of fan of Robert Graham, you've likely heard of the Superman x Robert Graham collab. This collaboration perfectly blends Robert Graham's detailed designs with Superman's famous look. Instead of just slapping a logo on a shirt, the brand seamlessly wove Superman's world into their unique, stylish designs, making this collaboration a true one-of-a-kind style. You'll see subtle S-shields in patterns, comic book art as backgrounds and even phrases like "POWER OF HOPE" or "UP UP AND AWAY" discreetly stitched under collars or inside cuffs. The brand will be releasing new pieces weekly, with many items already available for presale. We anticipate this Superman x Robert Graham collection to sell out quickly, with limited quantities available. These items are sure to make perfect gifts for fans of both the brand and Superman alike, so be sure to grab these items while you can. Shop Superman x Robert Graham collab Grab these Superman x Robert Graham collab items now More: Where to buy the new Robert Graham x Superman Collection More: 🕶️ Designer deals: Shop early Prime Day savings on Tory Burch sunglasses, Ray-Ban frames More: Editor-approved Dr. Martens: Save up to $150 on DM sandals and boots What is Robert Graham's signature style? Robert Graham is known for its American eclectic style, featuring bold, unique prints, vibrant colors, intricate details and luxurious fabrics. Their designs often feature hidden contrasting patterns and embroideries, making each piece feel like "wearable art." What kind of products does Robert Graham offer? While initially famous for its distinctive men's button-down shirts, Robert Graham has expanded its collection significantly. They now offer a full range of menswear including blazers, polos, sweaters, jeans, shorts, outerwear and accessories. They also have a women's collection with similar bold styles. Is Robert Graham considered a luxury brand? Yes, Robert Graham is considered a luxury brand. They emphasize high-quality materials, meticulous craftsmanship and unique, often limited-edition designs, which contribute to their premium pricing and luxury status.
Business Upturn
an hour ago
- Business Upturn
Is Squid Game getting an American spin-off? Everything we know so far
By Aman Shukla Published on June 28, 2025, 20:12 IST Last updated June 28, 2025, 20:15 IST Squid Game took the world by storm, and now that its third and final season hit Netflix on June 27, 2025, fans can't stop talking about what's next. With Seong Gi-hun's story wrapped up, whispers of a spin-off are growing louder. From a surprise cameo in the finale to rumors of a Hollywood heavyweight jumping on board, here's the scoop on whether the Squid Game universe will keep going. The End of the Main Series Let's start with the big news: Squid Game Season 3 is the end of the road for Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae). Creator Hwang Dong-hyuk has said it plain and simple: 'The story I wanted to tell came to a full closure at the end of season 3' (Entertainment Weekly). The finale delivers a gut-punch ending to the tale of desperate folks battling it out in deadly childhood games for a huge cash prize. But just when you thought the games were over, the show throws in a curveball—a cameo that's got everyone buzzing about a possible spin-off. That Finale Cameo: A Clue to What's Next? Spoiler Alert: If you haven't watched Season 3, skip this part! In the last episode, we get a jaw-dropping moment: a big-name Hollywood star shows up in a scene set in Los Angeles. The Front Man, Hwang In-ho (Lee Byung-hun), spots a woman playing ddakji with someone, just like the recruiters did back in Season 1. It's a clear hint that the games aren't just a South Korean thing anymore—they might be going global. Fans are losing it over this, and it's got folks wondering if a new series is in the works, maybe set in the U.S. Netflix hasn't said anything official yet, but this feels like a deliberate tease. A Surprise Cameo Hints at a Spin-Off The hottest rumor out there is about an American version of Squid Game , and it's got a big name attached: David Fincher. Yup, the guy behind Fight Club and Mindhunter . Word on the street—well, more like reports from places like What's on Netflix and The Playlist —is that Netflix has been eyeing an English-language series called Squid Game: America since at least April 2023. Fincher's supposedly directing and producing, with British writer Dennis Kelly ( Utopia ) penning the script. It wouldn't be a remake but a new story in the same universe, with fresh faces and maybe some new twisted games. Here's the catch: Netflix hasn't confirmed it, and Fincher's keeping quiet. Still, Hwang Dong-hyuk sounds thrilled about the idea. He told GamesRadar+, 'As a big fan of David Fincher, I hugely respect a lot of his work. If he actually were to do the spinoff of Squid Game , I personally, as a fan, I am very excited to see what happens.' If Fincher's involved, you know it's gonna be dark, intense, and probably a little unsettling—perfect for Squid Game . Production might kick off in Los Angeles as early as December 2025, according to some reports, but until Netflix gives the green light, it's all speculation. That Season 3 cameo, though? It's making this rumor feel a lot more real. Ahmedabad Plane Crash Aman Shukla is a post-graduate in mass communication . A media enthusiast who has a strong hold on communication ,content writing and copy writing. Aman is currently working as journalist at
Newsweek
2 hours ago
- Newsweek
Tom Cruise Posts Emotional Throwback to Iconic NASCAR Film Amid Sequel Rumors
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Hollywood star Tom Cruise has posted an emotional throwback to the iconic NASCAR-based movie Days of Thunder on X,celebrating 35 years on June 27, the day he partnered with the late director Tony Scott. Coincidentally, the anniversary also marked the release of another action-packed racing movie - F1, produced by Cruise's friend, Jerry Bruckheimer. Cruise started a thread on X with throwback pictures from his Days of Thunder days, and ended by congratulating Bruckheimer, Brad Pitt, and F1 director Joseph Kosinski. His role in Days of Thunder was that of a young driver, Cole Trickle, who was new to racing. However, a rivalry sparked between him and a veteran driver, which grew into a friendship after the two were involved in a major crash. American actor Tom Cruise on the set of Days of Thunder, directed by Tony Scott. American actor Tom Cruise on the set of Days of Thunder, directed by Tony Scott. Paramount Pictures/Sunset Boulevard/Corbis/Getty Images Revealing his love for racing movies, Cruise wrote on X: "I always love the fun and adrenaline of a racing film. Today marks two racing milestones for my friend Jerry Bruckheimer, the release of F1 and the 35 year anniversary to the day of our collaboration with the great Tony Scott on Days of Thunder." I always love the fun and adrenaline of a racing film. Today marks two racing milestones for my friend Jerry Bruckheimer, the release of F1 and the 35 year anniversary to the day of our collaboration with the great Tony Scott on Days of Thunder. 1/7 — Tom Cruise (@TomCruise) June 27, 2025 While Cruise congratulated the crew of F1, former NASCAR driver and chairman of Hendrick Motorsports, Jeff Gordon, suggested there will be a sequel to Days of Thunder starring Cruise. Gordon believes NASCAR needs a Hollywood boost to expand its reach to the masses. Considering the rise of streaming platforms, Gordon emphasized that this is the right time to produce Days of Thunder 2. Newsweek Sports reported his comments: "Let's do Days of Thunder 2, I am all for that. Tom Cruise has told me it's gonna happen, so let's make it happen. I can't go back to driving, I am too old for that, so gonna have to be one of our four or all four of our Hendrick drivers, Alex Bowman, Chase Elliott, Kyle Larson, William Byron. When I came into NASCAR, Days of Thunder had just come out. It played a huge role in the growth of NASCAR. So let's bring it back." He added: "I've absolutely talked to Tom about it because I want him to do the project, and we want to be a part of it if it were to happen." Explaining why this is the perfect time to work on a NASCAR-based movie, he said: "There's this kind of resurgence, which is awesome, and there's also a whole new landscape of opportunities with streaming services and docuseries and also the big screen, which I think it would be amazing to do. "I am seeing just a lot more momentum in projects like this coming through NASCAR and coming to Hendrick Motorsports and just more interest. So that's good, right? It talks a lot about where the sport is at, where it's heading, the amazing crowd that was [at Daytona], not just today, new TV partners."
