In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, Bobby Flay revealed that his girlfriend Brooke Williamson’s role on the upcoming season of BBQ Brawl is changing from judge to captain, citing their relationship as the reason for the switch.
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Bobby Flay revealed that girlfriend Brooke Williamson’s role is changing from judge to captain on BBQ Brawl
Since the pair began dating last March, Flay says, “We can’t judge each other”
Flay, who also serves as a captain on the show, will now compete against Williamson, noting that she’ll be “tough to beat”
BBQ Brawl’s upcoming seventh season will have a twist. Bobby Flay, who serves as a team captain on the Food Network series, said that girlfriend Brooke Williamson will be stepping into a new role while chatting with PEOPLE at the South Beach Wine & Food Festival (SOBEWFF).
“Brooke has been a judge since almost the beginning, the second season, and she’s always wanted to be one of the mentors and cook on the show, and there was never sort of an opportunity for that,” Flay says.
However, circumstances changed after the couple began dating in March 2025.
“But now, our rule between us is that we can’t judge each other, because how can we judge each other?” he adds. “We can compete against each other in kind of friendly ways. She’s becoming one of the captains on BBQ Brawl, so I have to actually compete against her. And she, as you might imagine, is very competitive, so she’s tough to beat.”
Courtesy Food Network
While the past season of the culinary competition premiered in June 2025, Flay told PEOPLE ahead of its premiere that the episodes were filmed before he and Williamson became a couple.
Flay previously said the Sunkissed Cooking author was ready for a new challenge on the show.
In July, the Beat Bobby Flay star was asked during a Q&A on his Instagram Stories, “Who else would you like to be a competitor coach?”
He replied that Williamson “has been asking to compete for years” and asked, “Should we give her a chance??”
Courtesy Food Network
Williamson reposted Flay’s message on her own Instagram Stories and added several question marks and exclamation points.
The two Food Network stars also revealed how they plan to celebrate one year of dating with speaking with PEOPLE at SOBEWFF.
“Our one-year anniversary of being together is coming up, so that’s what we’re up to,” Flay said. “We’re actually going to go to Tokyo.”
Williamson shared that they plan to spend five days in Japan, adding, “I’m really excited for that trip.”
Flay said Williamson is taking the lead on their arrangements for the trip.
“She’s doing them all, because I’m not a Tokyo expert by any means,” he says. “Brooke is so focused in on where we’re eating, where we’re going. So if you have any questions about what we’re doing, you need to call her.”
For more on Bobby Flay and Brooke Williamson, check out the latest issue of PEOPLE.
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