Columbia, S.C. – Barbecue fans, mark your calendars! The Capital City/Lake Murray Country Regional Tourism Board (CCLMC) has announced that world-renowned barbecue expert Steven Raichlen will serve as the official emcee for the 2026 Southeastern BBQ Showdown.
Raichlen, a Barbecue Hall of Fame inductee and author of the bestselling Barbecue! Bible cookbook series, brings decades of expertise, international recognition, and a deep love for live-fire cooking to this premier event.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Steven Raichlen as the emcee for the 2026 Southeastern BBQ Showdown,” said Miriam Atria, President and CEO of CCLMC. “His knowledge, charisma, and unmatched passion for barbecue will make this event even more memorable for competitors and fans alike.”
Raichlen has hosted numerous popular television series including Planet Barbecue, Project Fire, Project Smoke, Primal Grill, and Barbecue University. He’s the author of 33 books, translated into 17 languages, with more than 5 million copies sold. His groundbreaking work has earned multiple James Beard Awards and International Association of Culinary Professionals (IACP) honors, including the prestigious Julia Child Award.
His most recent release, Project Griddle: The Versatile Art of Grilling on a Flattop, continues to expand his legacy in the grilling world. Over the years, he’s made appearances on Oprah, The Today Show, NPR’s Fresh Air, and even took on Iron Chef in Japan.
Raichlen’s involvement brings major star power to the 2026 event, which aims to position Columbia as a national hub for barbecue culture. The BBQ Showdown will also feature some of the best pitmasters and celebrity judges in the country, with more announcements expected soon.
The 2026 Southeastern BBQ Showdown takes place April 24–25 at Gamecock Park in Columbia. Tickets will go on sale in fall 2025. For updates and more information, visit SoutheasternBBQShowdown.com.
