Four chefs who live and breathe Memphis-style barbecue compete for a coveted spot in the $50,000 Grill Masters grand finale, facing off against champions from Texas, North Carolina and Kansas City. Tennessee tradition abounds in the first basket, which includes a creative take on a messy, shareable comfort food, and the chefs are stunned to see a gigantic sandwich in the second basket. Peaches in the dessert basket seem like a gift, but will the last two Memphis-style chefs be able to make them shine on their plates?
It's an international affair as Guy Fieri revisits old favorites. The Triple D Nation took notice in Miami when a Latin-inspired place opened a fast-casual joint to serve the masses, and their burger tower is the talk of the town. A Hawaiian hideaway in Seattle has branched out to serve sweet island treats, and a Denver restaurant takes Korean barbecue to the next level. Plus, there's a bonus, never-before-seen-on-Triple-D Italian hot spot that Guy visits every time he hits Chi-Town.
It's music to Bubba's ears when Lonni sets the team up with the Philadelphia Record Exchange. The guys are rearing to build this rockin' Bubba-Q from scratch, but things skip a beat when Fobo promises the client that the barbecue will cook 24 chickens at once! Then, Bubba hits a low note when his sister-in-law Arlene entrusts the crew with her very own jukebox to use for inspiration. And just when the team thinks they're in the clear, there's one final obstacle standing in the way.
Baker Ashley Foxen takes food artistry to new heights with her lookalike cupcakes that are both sweet and clever. For a New York bagel company celebrating its six-month anniversary, she replicates their iconic bagel sandwich in cupcake form. Then, a Long Island fire department wants to honor its volunteers with custom cupcakes that resemble a full-blown barbecue. Finally, Ashley and her baking team are tasked by NY Islander Johnny Boychuk with creating cupcakes that look like popcorn, nachos and beer for Military Appreciation Night at the hockey game.
The wild summer rush is in full swing at Mississippi's hottest barbecue restaurant, so it's up to Brad, Brooke and Mama Shed to hire new help — and fast. The job interviews are as unique as The Shed itself, including on-stage auditions, a trip to the legendary Shed "junkyard" and a visit with the one and only Shed Pimps. Meanwhile, a hungry alligator has crept out of the bayou and into the Shed Garden farm, so it's up to Daddy-O, Big Hoss and Coal Miner to lure the critter away from their tomatoes.
Daniel is the owner and operator of a successful sawmill, and thought he would be able to run Big Jim's Bama Q in Hammondville, Ala., when he purchased it ten months ago. But his inexperience and naiveness in thinking he could sit back and cash in on the restaurant's reputation has instead left him seeking Chef Robert Irvine's help. Robert needs to find a way to make this restaurant distinctly Daniel's, and that means new food, a new look and new knowledge and passion to turn this dump into a barbecue destination.
Mary Berg lives the grill life veg-first with tasty vegetarian recipes that will entice even the meat eaters. Grilled Buffalo Cauliflower puts a smoky spin on the classic app, served over a pond of herbed blue cheese ranch dip. Grilled Pizza comes together quickly using store-bought dough, while Grilled Halloumi Salad takes "grilled cheese" literally in a Berlin döner-style dish, drizzled with zesty sauces, herbs and fresh veggies. Finally, Mary makes it impossible to miss meat with Pulled Mushroom Sandwich doused in homemade barbecue sauce.
Guy Fieri invites some of his chef buddies to the ranch to prepare an Asian fusion meal that bridges the cultural divide. Justin Warner makes a sweet and tangy Korean Barbecue Meatloaf, while Aaron May takes a Chino-Latino approach to his Pork "Al Pastor" Fried Rice with Pineapple and Onions. Aarti Sequeira makes savory Indonesian Pork Larb Burgers with Sticky Rice Buns. Carl Ruiz gives his Five Spice Lamb Salad the flavor of the Far East, and Alex Guarnaschelli reinvents the Italian cannoli for her Sesame Cannoli with Ginger.
Fourth of July is sparkling with fireworks of flavor from Sunny Anderson's Steak Supreme to Jeff Mauro's Cheesy and Spicy Reuben-Style Brats. Katie Lee puts her twist on a restaurant appetizer with her Grilled Firework Onion and Iron Chef Michael Symon stops by to grill up his Blackberry Barbecue Chicken. Then it's time for a Piece of Cake Summer Party that includes a holiday centerpiece from Jeff, Geoffrey Zakarian's Plop-a-Pop Punch and Katie's Strawberry Shortcake Bar. Finally, learn how to serve fruit salad from a Watermelon Grill.
Cooking Channel's Haylie Duff joins Michael Symon at one of his most treasured New Orleans spots, where they use the city's Cajun flavors in new and unique ways in crunchy po' boys and spicy barbecue shrimp. Next, he heads to a husband- and wife-owned pizza place in Brooklyn where the chef whips up a burger so delicious, he put it on the menu and named it after his bride. Finally, in Kansas City, Mo., Michael meets a team that smokes some of the best burnt ends around!