Local Pitmaster Hits the Small Screen on New “Food Network” Show
Old Virginia Smoke’s Luke Darnell Joins Michael Symon on “BBQ USA” Series
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Melaina Lewis
Melaina.elisabeth@gmail.com
330-647-0815
Bristow, VA — July 12, 2022 — Luke Darnell, pitmaster of Old Virginia Smoke (OVS) located in Bristow, Virginia, will debut his BBQ talents in an hour-long primetime series featuring “Food Network” star, award-winning restaurateur and chef Michael Symon.
“When we met Michael Symon and his team during filming, we knew this show was going to be a lot of fun,” said Luke Darnell. “We’re excited to share our fun and focused BBQ team with the world. This new TV series will show that there’s nothing better than being out on the circuit, and hanging with the people we love while striving to get better, every single week, at cooking up mouth-watering chicken, ribs, pork and brisket.”
Darnell and his wife, Kim, are no strangers to the BBQ competition circuit. In 2016, OVS was named the World BBQ Champion at the World Food Championships. In 2017, Old Virginia Smoke was Chicken Team of the Year for the Kansas City BBQ Society, and followed that up by winning the chicken category at the 2021 American Royal, the biggest BBQ competition in the world. OVS has won 13 Grand Championships and 20 Reserve Grand Championships over the course of ten years.
In six episodes, Symon will meet the pitmasters who are vying for the win with their expertly crafted barbecue and check in with the festival-goers who are so obsessed with BBQ that they travel near and far for a taste of it all.
“BBQ USA” premiered Monday, July 11 at 9 p.m. eastern / 8 p.m. central. Old Virginia Smoke will be featured on episode five airing on August 8 at 9 p.m. eastern / 8 p.m. central.
For more on OVS, visit: www.oldvirginiasmoke.com
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Old Virginia Smoke is a competition BBQ team out of Bristow, VA. Created in 2012, Pitmaster Luke Darnell, originally from Morgantown, WV, and his wife Kimberly travel the country competing in BBQ competitions. Luke also operates a food truck and catering company.