Bobby Flay and Michael Symon suss out the talents of eight elite barbecue masters, but before choosing teams, they face off in a backyard barbecue challenge to determine who gets first pick. The eight contenders serve up backyard barbecue dishes to a trio of expert judges, and two contenders are sent home.

Bobby Flay and Michael Symon battle it out in a tomahawk rib-eye challenge with high "steaks," as the winner gets an advantage that could affect the entire competition. Then the six remaining contenders face off in a Texas beef challenge, and a curve ball sends them running for the border.

In their biggest competition yet, Bobby Flay and Michael Symon try to best each other in a regional barbecue challenge with a major advantage. The final four pitmasters are tasked with cooking a style of barbecue unique to an area of the country, and a mid-challenge twist has them making big decisions on the fly.