Local restaurateur Orchid Paulmeier returns to national spotlight on Food Network’s ‘BBQ Brawl’
Nearly two decades after first stepping onto a Food Network set, Orchid Paulmeier is back in the national spotlight. The longtime Bluffton and Hilton Head restaurateur and owner of One Hot Mama’s is among the dozen competitors on the latest season of BBQ Brawl: Flay v. Chauhan v. Lofaso, which premiered June 1st on Food Network.
Filmed in Austin, Texas, this season pits teams of barbecue pitmasters against each other under the mentorship of celebrity chefs Bobby Flay, Maneet Chauhan and Antonia Lofaso. For Paulmeier, the show marks a return not just to national television, but to the spirit of culinary competition that first introduced her to audiences on The Next Food Network Star in 2011.
“This was probably one of the best experiences I’ve ever had,” Paulmeier said in an interview. “It was truly a cooking competition — not just about personality or presentation. How I cook and who I cooked for has completely changed. I think I just approached it in a completely different way.”
Paulmeier, who has called the Lowcountry home since the early 2000s, opened One Hot Mama’s in Bluffton in 2003 and expanded to Hilton Head in 2007. The restaurant is known for its Southern barbecue staples, including brisket, pork, ribs and wings. While she’s spent most of the past 20 years behind the pass, she’s been named a 2016 South Carolina Chef Ambassador and one of the Featured Chefs at the James Beard House Dinner. Paulmeier said the show gave her a chance to rediscover her competitive edge and remind audiences of her culinary roots.
Dubbed the “Mama Bear” of the series, Paulmeier relishes this new phase of life. “Back then, my kids were in elementary school,” she said of her first Food Network experience. “Now, they’re grown. I just moved my daughter to D.C. the same weekend the show premiered. I’m a full-fledged empty nester mom now so definitely that comes across.”
BBQ Brawl features 12 contestants competing over 10 weeks in grilling and smoking challenges that test their speed, creativity and endurance. Unlike traditional “low and slow” barbecue, many of the episodes demand quick turnarounds — dishes completed in 30 minutes or less using live fire techniques.
Paulmeier joined Team Bobby Flay, a choice that felt like a full-circle moment. The two had previously met on Food Network Star, and she said his guidance remains just as sharp.
This season includes unique challenges, including a global grilling episode, an Argentinian Asado Iron Cross cook, and even a “Brawlers vs. Captains” showdown. The winner will be crowned “Master of ‘Cue” and receive a dedicated platform across Food Network’s digital channels.
“This season has something for everyone,” Flay said in a press release. “Whether you are a professional grill master, a weekend warrior or simply love the smokey char of barbecue done right.”
Paulmeier is no stranger to any of those audiences. A longtime advocate for outdoor cooking, she said she hopes viewers feel encouraged to get outside and grill, no matter their experience level.
“People sometimes get intimidated by live fire cooking, but they shouldn’t be,” she said.
“If you’ve been eyeing a grill or smoker, go get it. The kiss of fire adds flavor you just can’t replicate in the kitchen. I’m hoping that people are inspired to grill all summer.”
While the show is clearly a competition, Paulmeier said it also became a journey centered around rediscovery.
“I’m taking the time to do this, and kind of reinvent myself and revisit the things that I haven’t done in the past. I think that’s my next journey: what’s going to happen in my second half? I hope that inspires other people to realize they don’t have to settle for what they’re doing right now.”
The experience also gave her a new sense of camaraderie. Unlike her appearance on Food Network Star, which was more individualistic, BBQ Brawl emphasizes team dynamics.
“I am a total team player. I love the camaraderie. You’re with these people, cooking side-by-side, and we all love to barbecue and grill. It doesn’t get better than that.” said Paulmierer “We have a great group chat going, so we’re all still in touch with each other”
The show’s challenges weren’t always traditional barbecue. “This was not low and slow type of competition, it was hot and fast. We got 30 minutes to cook something, so it was different in that sense, but the different flavor profiles were indications of where people are from and what their influences were.”
She’s also got a few tips for home cooks trying to up their barbecue game.
“A lot of people make the mistake of putting sauce on too early,” she said. “I always suggest to wait. Don’t be tempted to put barbecue sauce on at the start and begin cooking with it. Especially with live fire, you have to wait for the last 4 to 5 minutes to put any sauce on otherwise it’s going to burn. You always want to add it and let it just caramelize at the end.”
While Paulmeier won’t share any spoilers — “never,” she said with a laugh — she is looking forward to the rest of the season and what comes next.
“I was watching it for the first time along with everyone else,” she said. “That’s the fun part — seeing how it all came together. I’m excited for all of y’all to stay tuned this summer.”
For now, fans can follow Paulmeier’s journey on BBQ Brawl every Sunday at 9 p.m. on Food Network or stream episodes the next day on Max. Updates are also available through the Food Network website and social platforms using the hashtag #BBQBrawl.
Whether she takes home the title or not, Paulmeier has our vote.
