Ep 9. BBQ Pit Wars

In Top Chef season 9 episode 9, titled "BBQ Pit Wars," the remaining contestants face off in a barbecue challenge. The episode begins with the chefs meeting at a local pitmaster's house, where they learn about the two challenges they will face. The first challenge is a quickfire, in which the chefs must prepare a dish using a cut of meat from the pitmaster's selection. The pitmaster judges the dishes and the winner receives an advantage in the elimination challenge.

For the elimination challenge, the chefs are split into two teams and tasked with creating a barbecue feast for a group of guests. Each team must prepare a variety of dishes, including brisket, ribs, and chicken. The catch is that they must cook the meats on outdoor grills and smokers, which pose unique challenges in terms of temperature control and smoke flavor. The teams must also incorporate a surprise ingredient into their dishes, which differs for each team.

As they prepare their dishes, tensions rise between members of one of the teams, leading to a heated argument. The judges evaluate the dishes based on taste, presentation, and barbecue technique, and ultimately send one chef home.

The episode features expert commentary from the judges and guest pitmasters, who provide insight into the world of barbecue and the challenges of cooking outdoors. The contestants showcase their skills and creativity while navigating the unique challenges of barbecue cooking, making for an exciting and mouth-watering episode.