Six teams meet host Ganesh Raj and experts Jared Macdonald and Jess Pryles in Waiamuku to begin the ultimate barbecue battle; they are challenged to make two dishes that showcase their barbecue skills, one low and slow and one hot and fast.

The five returning teams go back to basics cooking poultry on classic kettle barbecues; just when they think they have it all under control the judges throw them a surprise twist.

The remaining four teams are split into two for a team challenge cooking on two 500-gallon offset smokers; guest judge Gareth Stewart challenges the losing teams to recreate a restaurant quality venison dish in the first Scorcher challenge.