Four Pegs Smokehouse owner to compete on Food Network's 'BBQ Brawl with Bobby Flay'

The culinary skills of Louisville pitmaster Chris Williams will be front and center on the Food Network's supersized 90-minute season premiere of BBQ Brawl with Bobby Flay airing Monday at 9 p.m.

Williams, the owner of Germantown's Four Pegs Smokehouse and Bar, 1053 Goss Ave., is throwing a watch party at his restaurant on the night of the premiere. The party starts at 8 p.m. with specials on wings and a dish you'll see Williams compete with on the show.

"It is amazing. I love meeting all these other chefs who I would never have run into if it wasn't for the show," Williams told The Courier Journal. "We've all become really tight and have an Instagram page and are building some Facebook pages together, it's great."

The ten-episode competition series stars Bobby Flay, Anne Burrell and Sunny Anderson who will coach a dozen of the best pitmasters from across the country in high-stakes challenges to determine who will be named “Master of ‘Cue.”

Who is Chris Williams?

A lifelong resident of Louisville, Williams is a self-taught cook who worked his way up from a line cook to backyard grill warrior and restaurant owner who's also been featured on Food Network's "Food Paradise."

While he's the proud winner of the 502 Chili Cook-Off, 2023 Derby-Q best wings and Norton Children’s Hospital Bourbon and Bowties Favorite Chef, it turns out Williams is no stranger to culinary competitions, having appeared on the Cooking Channel’s "Big Bad BBQ Brawl" in 2017.

"I enjoy doing television, these competition shows are a lot of fun and I hope to take part in more," Williams said. "But I would never want to become so involved in television that I couldn't continue to do what I love here in Louisville. Keeping it local is important to me."

More than just a pitmaster

When he's not in front of the grill making award-winning barbecue, Williams is known for something else around town — advocating for mental health awareness.

In June, Williams hosted the third "Taste for Life" at Four Pegs. The outdoor tasting event brought together more than 25 area chefs in an effort to help those who suffer from depression, anxiety, and the challenging day-to-day dealings of working in the service industry.

“The hospitality industry takes care of others, but who is taking care of us?" Williams said. "Working long hours and nights in this business keeps us away from our loved ones, family, and friends and that puts us at risk for mental illness, addiction, and suicide. If we don’t talk about these things and help people find available resources, the stigma continues."

In 2022, Williams found himself struggling and has worked hard to make improvements in his own life.

"After last year's event, I recognized my own mental health issues. I was spiraling with depression, anxiety and I was drinking too much," he told The Courier Journal. "I decided I can't advocate for other people's mental health if I don't take care of myself."

After last year's "Taste for Life," Williams made the decision to stop drinking alcohol, has remained sober and has become a resource for others in the service industry.

"I was a bit worried about how I would handle the pressure of competing on the show while sober," he admitted. "But like everything else in my life, I am present and not just a shadow. Turns out taking on any challenge sober is much better and way more rewarding."

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Four Pegs Smokehouse owner to compete on 'BBQ Brawl with Bobby Flay'