SC BBQ chef bows out in final stretch of Food Network’s ‘BBQ Brawl.’ Here’s what happened
After a season full of high-stakes grilling and Filipino-inspired flair, the Lowcountry’s beloved BBQ chef, Orchid Paulmeier, has officially been sent home from Food Network’s “BBQ Brawl” just shy of the season finale.
Paulmeier, affectionately known as “Mama Orchid,” made it into the top five contestants this season before being eliminated in the penultimate episode.
Known for her soulful fusion of Southern and Filipino flavors, she delivered flavor-packed dishes that carried her through the competition each week.
In her final episode, Paulmeier faced a high-pressure challenge featuring difficult main dishes like quail and venison. Despite giving it her all, the judges ultimately sent her home.
During the episode and judging portion, Paulmeier had admitted she was “worried about the venison,” but as always, she embraced the challenge.
Mama Orchid’s Lowcountry roots
Paulmeier first landed in the Lowcountry in 1994 as a hospitality intern at a Hilton Head resort.
She quickly fell in love with the area (and its food culture) and never left. In 2007, she opened her first restaurant, One Hot Mama’s, in Bluffton, right before her 30th birthday.
Since then, she’s built a local BBQ empire rooted in bold flavors, family and community.
Known for blending Southern comfort food with Filipino heritage, Paulmeier has become a household name in the Lowcountry food scene.
Where to find One Hot Mama’s
One Hot Mama’s now boasts two locations:
Hilton Head: 35 Office Park Road
Bluffton: 104 Buckwalter Parkway, Suite 1A
For over two decades, the restaurants have served up crowd favorites including:
Pulled pork sandwich
Hawaii Five-O wings
BBQ Chicken
Brisket
Ribs
Signature BBQ plates with all the fixings.
More than good food, Paulmeier is known for running her kitchen like she lives her life, surrounded by family and friends.
For more information on each location or to view the menu, click here.
A return to the spotlight
The road to “BBQ Brawl” wasn’t easy. Paulmeier started the audition process last November, undergoing rounds of interviews and applications.
Filming lasted through February and March, with days packed full of cooking challenges. But for Paulmeier, it was never about just the prize; it was about pushing herself creatively and professionally.
“I had been waiting for the right show,” she previously told The Island Packet. “Once I watched Season 1 of ‘BBQ Brawl,’ I just knew this was the one. The timing was right, and the format was perfect. It felt like now or never.”
With her two restaurants in Bluffton and Hilton Head thriving, she saw the opportunity to rekindle her brand and step into a new chapter.
“It was about giving One Hot Mama’s a boost, giving my team something to rally around and showing people that after 22 years, we’re still evolving,” she previously told The Island Packet. “More than anything, it’s such a great honor to be on a show like this.”
What’s next: The final “BBQ Brawl” showdown
With Paulmeier’s journey on the show now complete, three finalists remain and will compete in a final showdown. The remaining contestants include:
Tyler Anderson from Connecticut
Kyle Bryner from Georgia
Brad Leighninger from Missouri
The grand finale airs on Sunday, July 28, with a 15-hour BBQ feast challenge that will determine who earns the title of “Master of ‘Cue.”
You can catch the “BBQ Brawl” finale on Food Network or stream it the following day on HBO Max.
Episodes are also available for cable subscribers via the Food Network website and app.
This story was originally published July 22, 2025 at 6:00 AM.
