American Grilled

American Grilled is an exciting cooking competition show that aired on the Travel Channel in 2014. The show is based on the all-American grilling pastime and is not just your typical cook-off, it is an open-flame, meat-loving, sizzling-food outdoor battle. It invites spectacular grillers from across the country to showcase their barbecuing skills, with a unique local flavor added to each episode.

The show is hosted by the renowned Chef David Guas, an acclaimed grill master himself, author, and well-established restaurant owner. His passion for local ingredients and home-style cooking sets the tone for the show. As a host, Guas acts as a guide, evaluator, and sometimes mentor, to the contestants, providing a nice balance of challenge and learning. Furthermore, he is complimented by a panel of judges comprising local food experts and connoisseurs. The judges' decisions hinge not only on the taste but also on creativity, presentation, and the ability of the contestants to honor the local flavors.

Diverse in its competitors, American Grilled features a variety of participants from different backgrounds, each bringing something unique to the grill. This brings in a richness of different techniques, flavors and food items across all episodes. It could be anyone from a weekend BBQ enthusiast to a seasoned chef taking part in the contest. Those competing are not merely grilling but are crafting culinary masterpieces using locally sourced ingredients to showcase the flavorful best of their region, respecting its culinary heritage and elevating it on the grill.

What makes American Grilled special is its choice of cooking fuel - charcoal or wood, instead of more controlled methods like gas or stove-top. As a result, it brings out the element of challenge, unpredictability and skill in managing the outdoor grill. In addition, the competitors also have to deal with natural factors such as wind, heat, and weather. This levels the playing field and pumps up the excitement for viewers, as contestants battle not only against each other but also against the elements.

The premise of the each episode follows the journey of four contestants through two rounds of grilling challenges. The first round, widely known as the “Q-Off”, tests the standard grilling skills of the participants, where they have to prepare a dish using a list of ingredients provided to them. The second round, or the “Grill-Off”, takes it up a notch, where competitors are handed a ‘mystery ingredient’ which they have to incorporate creatively and meaningfully into their grilled concoctions. Post each round, evaluation occurs and one contestant is eliminated until a champion griller is crowned and rewarded with the cash prize of $10,000, plus the bragging rights of being an American Grilled champion.

American Grilled takes viewers on a mouth-watering journey across the various landscapes of the USA, visiting towns and cities, uncovering their unique flavors, and understanding their barbecue traditions. With locations stretching from the apple orchards of Vermont, the deserts of Arizona, to the gator-infested lands of Florida, each episode explores the different regional cuisines and local ingredients shaping what is cooked on the grill, thereby, making it a truly American experience.

The show is a celebration of the quintessentially American pastime of grilling, brought to life with unique local flavors, spirited competitors, and awe-inspiring outdoor locations. It provides a great mix of competition, learning, and cultural exploration, inviting viewers to savor the myriad of flavors and grilling techniques across the United States. From meat and seafood to vegetarianism and desserts, American Grilled covers it all, and will surely leave you inspired and salivating, even if you're not a grill master yourself! And who knows? Maybe it will even kick-start your own grilling adventure, bringing the delectable aroma of smoky barbecue into your backyard.