San Angelo Native Competes in Food Network’s ‘BBQ Brawl’

In 2023, Turner appeared on Food Network’s Chopped, where she placed second.

Raised in a family from the San Angelo area with a rich history in the restaurant business, she credits her father for her culinary beginnings. 

She said her father was a part of one of the first franchise Burger Kings in San Angelo. 

“We bounced around with that as I was growing up, but West Texas was always the place we came back to because my extended family was strongly rooted there," she said. 

A third-generation food industry professional, Turner honed her skills in various roles, from bartending to chef. 

She said her great-grandmother operated the Paint Rock Cafe for many years, and her family operated restaurants and food trucks in the Dallas, Abilene, and San Angelo areas. 

“Every job I’ve ever had was in the food business,” she said. “I was good at it, and I loved it. I’ve worked in every single type of space you can in a restaurant. I’ve been back of the house, front of the house, bartending, and obviously a chef.”

After graduating college, Turner and her family began expanding their food ventures in San Angelo. 

Businesses Turner operated in San Angelo include Rio Concho Catering and the Concho Pearl, the first brick-and-mortar restaurant concept Turner designed from scratch. 

The wooden bar top inside the building was said to be repurposed wood from her grandmother’s home, which had to be torn down. This building is now home to the Blue Agave.

Turner described competing in BBQ Brawl as “very neat to work with that caliber of talent.” 

“The entire group of people that were a part of that show and competition were so, so talented,” Turner said. “It wasn’t just some local pitmaster they drummed up somewhere; they literally had found a lot of really incredible pros. So it was pretty cool. It was really, really neat.”

The competition, returning to Texas, features BBQ challenges judged by Carson Kressley, Rodney Scott, and Brooke Williamson. 

Turner’s Tex-Mex-infused barbecue style and love for Texas cuisine are set to shine in the high-stakes environment. 

Beyond the competition, Turner enjoys sharing her West Texas roots with Milwaukee. 

“I really enjoy the opportunity to be an ambassador for both places,” she said. “Texas-style smoked food is kind of the through line and backbone to what I do.”

Turner values personal growth and the challenges that come with competition. 

“I’m kind of a constant student,” she said. “I really enjoy pushing yourself to grow, pushing yourself to dig deep. The name of the game with the competition is to get out of your head and do what you know how to do. That challenge is not easy. It’s hard, but it really shows you what you’re capable of and what you’re capable of overcoming when something doesn’t go well.”

BBQ Brawl’s new season will culminate in one pitmaster earning the coveted “Master of ‘Cue” title. Viewers can follow the journey and get exclusive recipes on Food Network’s social media platforms.

“I’m always excited when summer rolls around,” said Flay. “It signals lots of outdoor cooking, firing up the charcoal, and this year, new seasons of Triple Threat and BBQ Brawl!”

“Our viewers have been eagerly awaiting new episodes of Bobby’s Triple Threat and BBQ Brawl, and we are thrilled to give them action-packed seasons,” said Betsy Ayala, Head of Content, Food, Warner Bros. Discovery. “With Bobby’s mentorship in Triple Threat, his titans push food boundaries every week against worthy competitors. And nothing says summer like BBQ Brawl, and this season’s hosts and pitmasters deliver unbelievable dishes, served with a side of good-natured trash talk.”

You can watch the trailer for the show below: