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Arlington ISD’s competitive barbecue team, the Smokin’ Ferrets, is featured in “BBQ High,” a docuseries that premiered Aug. 18 on Magnolia Network. It can be streamed on Max. (Drew Shaw | Arlington Report)
” data-medium-file=”https://fortworthreport.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/AISD-Barbeque-4-scaled.jpg?fit=300%2C200&ssl=1″ data-large-file=”https://fortworthreport.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/AISD-Barbeque-4-scaled.jpg?fit=780%2C520&ssl=1″ tabindex=”0″ role=”button”>Not many students would wake up at 4 a.m. on a Saturday, head to school before sunrise, and spend their weekends at an outdoor class in the winter weather, sweating over voluntary assignments that won’t count toward their high school transcript.But the ones that do might end up on TV.That’s the story of five Arlington ISD culinary students who saw their barbecue passions featured in a new docuseries, “BBQ High.” The first two episodes premiered Aug. 18 on Magnolia Network and can be streamed on Max.The show profiles the world of competitive high school barbecue in Texas, following schools from across the state, Arlington ISD included, as they compete in a statewide annual cook-off hosted by Texas High School BBQ. Arlington ISD’s team was brought together by the district’s barbecue club. Students devoted much of their 2023-24 school year to prepping for the cook-off, showing their commitment through the 4 a.m. Saturday culinary sessions, which took place at the Dan Dipert Career and Technical Center.The Smokin’ Ferrets, under the teaching of culinary instructor Greg Almendarez, left, competed for Arlington ISD in a statewide annual cook-off hosted by Texas High School BBQ. (Drew Shaw | Arlington Report)Culinary instructor Greg Almendarez started the barbecue club in 2019. He wanted to give students a chance to stew longer on the nuances of barbecue — the rubs, fire managing, cutting and smoking meat — that couldn’t fit in a standard culinary class.At the start of the year, the club focuses on standard “Barbecue 101,” Almendarez said. In the spring, the team starts drilling seriously for the cook-off.“I don’t know where I would be without barbecue,” said Brysen Davis, the district’s team captain, who graduated from Martin High School in May. “I was never in sports. I didn’t do any of that, so this is what I have.”From left to right: Brysen Davis, Isaac Bakin and Marc Fadel cook on the set of “BBQ High.” All attended Martin High School. (Courtesy photo | Magnolia Network)Davis, who fell in love with cooking during the COVID-19 pandemic, wasn’t particularly passionate about barbecue when he first joined the club out of curiosity, he said.The slow-burning nature of the cuisine quickly resonated with him. As someone who enjoys taking his time with things, barbecue’s hourslong, strategic processes feel to Davis like he’s crafting works of art, he said.Since joining the club, practicing barbecue has taken over Davis’ life. He works at a smokehouse and spends most of his free time perfecting his dishes. He’s spent two years perfecting his signature brisket, which takes 8 to 12 hours to cook, he said.Now graduated, Davis hopes to expand his barbecue brand, Birdman Barbecue, and eventually run a restaurant. “I found my dream through barbecue,” he said. “It’s where I’m happy.”Davis isn’t alone. His four former teammates share similar sentiments toward smoking meat.The two other graduates on the team, Damien Robinson and Marc Fadel, both plan to continue studying culinary arts and eventually run barbecue restaurants. Davis’ other teammates, David Hamilton and Isaac Bakin, are entering their junior and senior years. They said they plan to continue spending their Saturdays at school behind the smoker, through late summer heat, rainstorms and snow, prepping for next year’s competition. And maybe, if “BBQ High” sees a second season, their seasoning skills will get another spotlight.Meet the team

(Drew Shaw | Arlington Report)

Brysen Davis graduated from Martin High School in May. In the 2024 barbecue cook-off, Davis was the captain of Arlington ISD’s barbecue team, overseeing the fire and making his signature brisket.

(Drew Shaw | Arlington Report)

Marc Fadel graduated from Martin High School in May. He owns a barbecue pop-up business and hopes to turn it into a restaurant. In the 2024 barbecue cook-off, Fadel smoked ribs for the team.

(Drew Shaw | Arlington Report)

Damien Robinson graduated from Sam Houston High School in May. Robinson has always liked cooking, and he plans to attend Tarrant County College and eventually open a barbecue restaurant. In the 2024 barbecue cook-off, Robinson made the chicken for the team.

(Drew Shaw | Arlington Report)

Isaac Bakin, now a senior at Martin High School, made beans for the team in the 2024 barbecue cook-off. He plans to compete again with the district’s team in the 2025 competition.

(Drew Shaw | Arlington Report)

David Hamilton, now a junior at Sam Houston High School, specializes in cooking Cajun food and made desserts for the Smokin’ Ferrets in the 2024 cook-off. Hamilton plans to cook again as part of the district’s barbecue team in the 2025 competition.Drew Shaw is a reporting fellow for the Arlington Report. Contact him at drew.shaw@fortworthreport.org or @shawlings601. At the Arlington Report, news decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here.