BOTELLO FALLS SHORT IN “CHOPPED GRILL MASTERS” FINALS
Brenham’s Leonard Botello IV was unable to achieve victory in Tuesday night’s “Chopped Grill Masters” finals on the Food Network.
Botello, the owner of Truth Barbeque on Highway 290 West, was the first contestant defeated in the finals.
Botello’s “mystery basket” included pork porterhouse, corn shoots, bacon-wrapped doughnuts and pimento cheese. Upon presenting his completed dish, judges cited his pork porterhouse was overcooked.
Botello defeated three other Texas pitmasters in last week’s competition to reach the finals, facing contestants that showcased barbecue styles from Kansas City, Memphis, and North Carolina.
The overall winner of the competition was Melvin “Boots” Johnson, executive chef at a Memphis-style barbecue location in Queens, New York, called Queens Bully.
I am not going to disagree with the judges, as I watched I knew the guy from Queens was going to win. He just knew what to do with the ingredients they were given. I will say Bortello has excellent BBQ, but there are a bunch of places that have really good BBQ, just not here. If you dont know how to do it on your own and have to buy it, I can see the fan base, it really is good. It all came down to knowing how to use what they give you and the Queens/ Memphis/ NY whatever guy just had it here. Plus, the cocky arrogance about Texas invented BBQ and taught everyone else probably didnt help him with Myron Mixon on the judges panel.
Never had a chance if the judges would rather take an undercooked or dried out pork that the lady had. Then in the ribeye round, the “BBQ Master” knocked the guy out for undercooking his ribeye and he wanted it more done. Doesn’t sound like someone I want cooking my meat. Probably wants his chicken to be undercooked as well with his thinking. Was really wanting to see what Leonard would have done in that second round. And for desserts, well the cakes at Truth BBQ are big AND good so he would have done well. Either way, I’m glad he’s here in Brenham and will continue to get out there for some good ol’ BBQ! Fat Boy gotta eat!
I just wish Leonards great food was a little more affordable
If you want cheap BBQ, go to one of the places that cooks their select-grade brisket in 5 hours. If you want prime beef that has been slow-smoked for 12+ hours, you are going to have to pay fair-market value for it. In Brenham, you have choices: you can get good BBQ or you can get cheap BBQ.
You Must Not Be A True Texan!
BBQ takes time and time is money. Pay it or don’t eat it.
I too disagreed with judges. The chopped judges appear to be anti Texas. I watch the show all the time and rarely does any Texan win. I am so proud of Mr. Bortello. He represented himself, Brenham, and our great state with honor. I will visit your place often to show my support for you. God bless and good luck.
Yeah, I noticed that too in the appetizer round in the prelims. They all had great dishes, but they were chided as needing to “step up the game” though Leonard had the best dish of the group.
And given the winner was from Queens, New York, which IS a well-known city, unlike Brenham, I’m not surprised about the bias.
In my honest opinion, he’ll still be selling out of his barbecue daily long after this winner and this show fades away. He represented our state well.
I didn’t agree with his defeat in the first round. Actually, from the beginning I “knew” who would be the judges’ favorites…and they were.
Leonard’s dish was excellent and the “overcooked” excuse was lame considering one contestant having to re-cook hers and then being considered “too dry”.
So be it…Leonard represented us well, and I assume he rarely utilizes the strange ingredients he was provided. That’s entertainment!!
It was interesting watching someone who is a true culinary artist that spends many hours preparing his food being forced to prepared dishes against an extremely tight timeline. Leonard’s BBQ is world class. The judges on that show have no clue what they missed by not getting a chance to taste what he does best. He represented himself and our state well. We were very proud of him.
sooo excited for our hometown HERO…So PROUD you represented Brenham/Texas well….
Super proud of Leonard and the way he represented true Texas BBQ! Awesome job!
Still super proud of our own Leonard representing our BIG OL state of Texas! You have the best BBQ out there! ??