It's the green light for the more than 130 Texas high school teams competing in regional competitions from High School BBQ Inc.leading to state championship with chance to win scholarships to culinary schoolfrom the Auguste Escoffier Schoolof Culinary Arts.
The intense world of competitive barbecue is the subject of Magnolia Network's new six-part docuseries,“BBQ High, »who beginsSunday August 18*. The series follows Texas teens during their senior year of high school as they compete in qualifying barbecue competitions starting in September, with the goal of becoming state champions and earning scholarships in May.
Texas HS BBQ Inc.’s competitions require student-led teams to prepare dishes in five categories: brisket, ribs, chicken, beans and dessert. In addition to the competitions, “BBQ High” follows the students’ journey and captures some of the pivotal life decisions they face during their senior year of high school.
HS BBQ, Inc.’s nonprofit competitions began six years ago with a handful of students and have grown into a popular competitive sport with more than 130 teams from across Texas. The organization supports project-based learning to engage and inspire high school students to learn about barbecue and compete.
“BBQ Inc. offers a different kind of after-school option for high school students interested in barbecue education and team competitions focused on problem solving, the science behind cooking and smoking meats, time management and leadership skills,” said the board memberMarcus McMellon, president of Escoffier's Austin campus. Escoffier has been a sponsor since its inception.
“We serve as mentors, provide instructional instruction, help set up competitions, sponsor events and provide institutional scholarships. We’ve seen these kids take competition to the next level, from pre-dawn workouts and developing creative recipes to welding their smokers and managing wood-burning fire pits. The events continue to grow in popularity, on a par with the “Friday Night Lights” of barbecue competitions,” McMellon added.
Adult team mentors are allowed to offer advice during the competition rounds, but are not allowed to enter the cordoned-off areas where teams prepare their food. Students must manage their time to plan and execute the many steps between protein selection, setup, and turn-in deadlines. Judges award points for each of the five categories to determine overall winners.
Escoffier serves as a sponsor for all HS BBQ Inc. competitions leading up to and including the state championships, and provides institutional scholarships to regional and state winners. For more information on the competition, visitHigh School BBQ, Inc.
More information about Escoffier
Auguste Escoffier Schoolof Culinary Arts, the largest culinary school brand in the United States (based on comparable student population data currentlyreported in IPEDS). The Escoffier campusin Boulder, COis the only establishment accredited toUNITED STATESto offer both fully online diploma and bachelor's degree programs with cooking classes and practical work placements.
Escoffier campusesin Austin, TexasAndin Boulder, Colorado(Boulder includes online programs) were ranked number onein the United States by Chef's PencilThe school’s accredited programs offer a combination of a classic and contemporary approach to industrial skills training as well as a curriculum focused on sustainability and business. Both Escoffier campuses areGreat Place to Work™ certifiedand were designated asmilitary schools®and Boulder was namedNewsweek Top Online Learning School. Escoffier toAustinoffers programs in culinary arts and pastry. Escoffier atBoulderoffers programs in Culinary Arts, Pastry Arts, Plant-Based Culinary Arts, Hospitality and Restaurant Operations Management, Holistic Nutrition and Wellness, and Food Entrepreneurship. Click for more information onAuguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts Accreditations and Diploma and Certificate Programs.*BBQ High PremieresSunday August 18
at 1:00 p.m. on Magnolia Network, streaming the same day on Max and Discovery+.SOURCEAuguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts
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