Kevin Bludso is a chef, television personality, and two-time Steve Harvey Neighborhood Award winner. In 2008, he opened Bludso’s BBQ in Compton, California, and it has since grown into an international empire, with a flagship restaurant, Bludso’s Bar & Que, in Hollywood, a concession stand at the LAFC soccer stadium, a location in Proud Bird by LAX, and a sprawling restaurant and bar called San Antone by Bludso’s BBQ in the Crown Casino in Melbourne, Australia. He is returning for a second season as a the star of Netflix’s hit BBQ competition show The American Barbecue Showdown, and has multiple television appearances on shows such as Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives and Bong Appétit, and as a recurring guest judge on Bar Rescue. Kevin currently resides in Corsicana, Texas, regularly traveling both nationally and internationally for his pop-up events and television appearances.

Noah Galuten is a chef, restaurant consultant, and James Beard Award–nominated cookbook author. After working as a food writer, he trained in Compton under Kevin Bludso and became the chef of the ever-popular Bludso’s Bar & Que in Los Angeles. Noah went on to work on the launches of beloved Los Angeles restaurants Cofax Coffee, Prime Pizza (now with four locations), and Yojimbo. He also co-authored Phaidon’s On Vegetables: Modern Recipes for the Home Kitchen with Jeremy Fox—and his debut solo cookbook, The Don’t Panic Pantry Cookbook, is coming out in the fall of 2022.

Eric Wolfinger is a James Beard Award–winning photographer whose idea of a good time always involves fire and food. When not shooting photos, he works as a short-order cook for his partner and their two kids in San Diego.

Demetrius Smith is a wedding, portrait, sports, and event photographer who lives in the West Valley of Arizona. He is inspired by his beautiful wife, Aunjel Smith, from both sides of the lens.