JUST IN TIME FOR MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND, "THE CHEW" GOES PRIMETIME WITH ALL THINGS BARBECUE IN "ULTIMATE BBQ COOKOUT COUNTDOWN," AIRING SATURDAY MAY 25 ON ABC

ABC's "The Chew" serves up a tasty treat in primetime with co-hosts Mario Batali, Michael Symon, Carla Hall, Clinton Kelly and Daphne Oz roving the country for the most unforgettable barbecues and cookouts. Which will be crowned the Ultimate? Find out on "Ultimate BBQ Cookout Countdown," airing SATURDAY, MAY 25 (9:00-10:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

· Clinton Kelly travels to Short Beach in Stratford, CT for an Ultimate Clambake with Clambake King Ron Cohn of Clambakes of Connecticut. They start off with a classic New England version, then a Maryland Blue Crab Boil, and finish with a Southern Low Country Boil.

· Mario Batali and pro driver Clint Bowyer join thousands of racing fans from all over the world as they fire up their Tailgate Grills along the boulevard at NASCAR's Talladega Speedway in Alabama.

· Carla Hall goes cowgirl when she rides into the 23rd Annual Chuck Wagon and Cowboy Cook-Off in Abilene, Texas. Everything from food to equipment to campsites is presented as authentically (and deliciously!) as possible by the competitors to preserve the integrity of the days of the cattle drive.

· Meat-lover Michael Symon visits the Memphis in May World Champion BBQ Contest in Tennessee. It's a ferocious and freewheeling competition featuring the biggest personalities and most delicious foods the world of BBQ has to offer.

· Daphne Oz attends the annual Memorial Day Cookout at The Veterans' Agricultural Training Program in San Diego, CA with Dylan Ratigan, former MSNBC host and NY Times writer. He quit his job and invested everything he had in this remarkable farm program that helps troubled vets re-enter civilian life.

The special is produced by Gordon Elliott's Chew Productions for the ABC Television Network. It is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's selected HDTV format with 5.1 channel surround sound. A TV parental guideline will be assigned closer to the airdate.

Follow "The Chew" (@thechew) and hosts Mario Batali (@mariobatali); Michael Symon (@chefsymon); Clinton Kelly (@clinton_kelly); Carla Hall (@carlahall) and Daphne Oz (@DaphneOz) on Twitter.