Barbecue fans have a brand-new competition to look forward to this summer as Food Network prepares to launch the reimagined Pitmasters. Premiering on July 13, 2026, the series promises an intense test of skill, endurance, and teamwork, bringing together some of the country’s most accomplished pitmasters for one of the network’s biggest cooking competitions of the year.

Unlike previous versions of the franchise, the new Pitmasters introduces a team-based format. Nine teams, each made up of two pitmasters, will battle through a grueling week-long competition set deep in the wilderness. Their goal is simple but incredibly demanding: prove they are the very best at live-fire barbecue while surviving one of the toughest culinary environments ever featured on Food Network.

According to the official description, the competition never truly slows down. Teams will cook from sunrise to sunset—and then continue through the night until sunrise again—while managing fire, exhaustion, and a series of increasingly difficult culinary challenges. Success will require far more than great recipes, as contestants must balance technique, strategy, teamwork, and stamina over several days of nonstop competition.

Throughout the season, competitors will be tested across nearly every major style of American barbecue. Challenges will feature iconic barbecue specialties such as brisket, ribs, whole hog, regional barbecue traditions, and live-fire cooking, forcing teams to demonstrate both versatility and technical precision. Rather than specializing in one category, they will need to master multiple cooking styles while adapting to constantly changing conditions.

Watching over the competition is an elite judging panel featuring Andrew Zimmern, Moe Cason, Jess Pryles, and Ernest Servantes. Together, they bring decades of experience in barbecue, live-fire cooking, and competitive culinary events, ensuring that every dish will be judged against exceptionally high standards.

Adding even more pressure is the prize itself. Teams will compete for up to $50,000, but perhaps even more valuable is the opportunity to earn recognition as the best pitmasters in the field.

Although the rugged outdoor setting introduces elements of survival, Pitmasters is unquestionably a competition cooking series. Every challenge revolves around preparing outstanding barbecue under difficult conditions, with success determined by cooking ability rather than survival alone. Contestants must consistently produce exceptional food while overcoming fatigue, managing their fires, and responding to surprise twists throughout the competition.

The combination of elite barbecue talent, demanding live-fire challenges, overnight cooking sessions, and a wilderness backdrop makes Pitmasters one of Food Network’s most ambitious culinary competitions of 2026. For viewers who enjoy authentic barbecue, high-pressure cooking, and intense head-to-head battles, the series is shaping up to be one of the summer’s must-watch food competitions.