Houston pitmaster Greg Gatlin’s run on the Food Network show BBQ Brawl has come to an end. On an episode that aired on Sunday, July 20, Gatlin was eliminated on a steak challenge.
The chef served New York strip with grilled broccolini with Calabrian chili. Judges Rodney Scott and Brooke Williamson criticized Gatlin’s cooking, which produced a nice crust but an uneven level of overall doneness.
“It needed more time to rest, and it was a bit chewy,” Williamson told Gatlin when revealing the decision to eliminate him.
Greg Gatlin, left, with the cast of BBQ Brawl sesaon six.Courtesy of Food Network
Gatlin, chef and owner of Houston restaurants Gatlin’s BBQ and Gatlin’s Fins & Feathers, took the disappointing news in stride. “It hurts, but I think I did my family’s name proud,” he said as he walked off the show’s set. Contestants Tyler Anderson, Kyle Bryner, and Brad Leighninger advanced to the show’s final episode, which will air July 27 and be streamed on HBO Max beginning July 28.
In a video posted to Instagram, Gatlin said he’ll be serving steak at both of his restaurants this week. The chef didn’t share any details about what the steak dishes would consist of, but did vow that it would be “steak at its best.”
Gatlin isn’t the first Houstonian to compete on BBQ Brawl. Ara Malekian, owner of Harlem Road Texas BBQ, Don Nguyen, owner of Houston pop-up Khói Barbecue, and Michelle Wallace, a chef who worked with Gatlin for six years before starting her B’tween Sandwich Co. pop-up, also competed on the show. Both Malekian and Nguyen reached the finals of their respective seasons, but a Texan has yet to win the overall show and secure the title of “Master of Cue.”
