Carroll High School Overtime BBQ, our favorite of the teams featured on 'BBQ High'. COURTESY OF MAGNOLIA NETWORK
Barbecue-loving Texans should be excited to know there’s a new generation of kids who are donning aprons and firing up their futures in one of the state’s fastest-growing competitive endeavors — state championship barbecue.
Premiering on Chip and Joanna Gaines’ Magnolia Network this Sunday, Aug. 18, "BBQ High" chronicles the high-pressure journeys of several Texas high school barbecue teams. Rather than focusing on the usual suspects like football or basketball, this show replaces Friday night lights for the glow of early morning charcoal embers.
As the head coach of Southlake Carroll’s “Overtime BBQ” team, Ken Goodman’s role isn’t much different than Southlake’s many other notable coaches, like football coach Riley Dodge or cross-country coach Justin Leonard.
“I make sure that each team member has the knowledge and resources they need to execute their role,” Ken says.
Carroll Dragon BBQ Team member Cami O'Neille shows off one of her award-winning desserts. photo courtesy of Carroll BBQ Team.
Goodman’s current roster of young pitmasters includes Levi Evans, Caden Roberson, Preston Inouye, Landon Liles, Colin Seaburn, Zack Rogers, Chris Darnell and Cami O'Neille. The team hits the pit before dawn to compete in grueling all-day barbecue competitions, aiming to perfect dishes like smoked ribs, brisket, chicken and home-spun desserts like Cami’s award-winning pineapple upside-down cake.
“The competitive day begins at 4:30 a.m. when we set up our cooking area,” Ken says. And “BBQ High” captures the intense dedication and passion of all of these teenagers as they dutifully prepare dishes on a strict schedule.
Brisket specialist Chris Darnell lights the team’s fires by 5 a.m. and manages them throughout the day as the rest of his teammates prepare their wares to be presented to the competition’s judges. Unlike dinnertime, the judging starts with desserts at 10 a.m. and finishes with briskets at 3:30 p.m. Then it’s time to clean, pack up and head home from what is arguably the longest day of any single high school competition.
“Cami does dessert, Zach does beans and chicken, Colin does ribs and Chris manages the fires for all and concentrates on brisket,” Ken says.
Southlake barbecue lovers and team supporters are encouraged to tune as "BBQ High" premieres Sunday, August 18 at 12 p.m. CT on Magnolia Network. New episodes will air every Sunday, with streaming available the same day on Max and discovery+.