Melissa Cookston is back on 'Barbecue Showdown.' When does the series premiere?

Memphis’ own Melissa Cookston will be back on Netflix.

Known as the "Winningest Woman in Barbecue" for her seven world champion titles, Cookston is a judge on the second season of “Barbecue Showdown.”

She was also a judge on the show’s first season, which aired in 2020 and was called “American Barbecue Showdown.”

“It was such a pleasure to have the opportunity to judge for Season 2 of ‘Barbecue Showdown’ on Netflix,” Cookston said. “The contestants this year were so talented and dedicated to the craft, it was thrilling to watch them compete and grow throughout the season. Tune in and see the fun — and keep an eye out for episode six, some amazing young members of my nonprofit, the World Junior Barbecue League, make an appearance.”

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The series premieres on Netflix May 26. There are eight 45-minute episodes.

According to Netflix, the premise of the competition is that “eight of the best barbecuers from across the country will have to master the flame in an open fire playground, and create mouth-watering, boundary-pushing barbecue, for a $50,000 prize.”

Cookston will be joined once again in the judging chair by Kevin Bludso, founder of Bludso's BBQ in Los Angeles. The series is hosted by actress and comedian Michelle Buteau.

Maverick TV is the production company behind the show. "The competitors are phenomenal. They are from all around the country and all have different barbecue styles," said Helga Eike of Maverick TV. "What is unique about this competition is that the competitors actually help each other."

She added that new twist to this season is "the trench." "Think of it as a barbecue playground / hellscape," she said. "A lot of the challenges happen in the trench over open fire."

Cookston is also the owner of Memphis Barbecue Company restaurant in Horn Lake, the author of two cookbooks and frequent host on barbecue cooking shows. She also owns The BBQ All Stars Superstore in Southaven. She was inducted into the Barbecue Hall of Fame in 2017.

At a kickoff reception for the show during the Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest, Cookston said she was impressed by each of the competitors on the show.

"They are so dedicated, so gutsy and you can't help be a cheerleader. Even though I was a judge, I was rooting for them," she said. "It's also fun to see how they evolve as cooks."

Jennifer Chandler is the Food & Dining reporter at The Commercial Appeal. She can be reached at jennifer.chandler@commercialappeal.com and you can follow her on Twitter and Instagram at @cookwjennifer.

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This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: 'Barbecue Showdown' on Netflix to feature Memphis' Melissa Cookston