Cape Coral resident Jacob Montgomery from the Cape Coral LongHorn Steakhouse has taken first place in LongHorn Steakhouse’s Steak Master Series PROVIDED

After months of intense competition, Cape Coral resident Jacob Montgomery from the Cape Coral LongHorn Steakhouse has reached elite grilling status, taking first place in LongHorn Steakhouse’s Steak Master Series – a national competition that lets grill masters from across the country put their skills to the test. This was his second time competing as a finalist, having achieved fourth place in his first appearance in the 2022 competition. Among thousands of competitors who participated in the rigorous series, Montgomery came back to win it all.

Montgomery’s winnings include a $15,000 grand prize and the title of Steak Master Series Champion. He bested six other finalists in the championship round held during a one-day grill-off in Orlando, to become the seventh-ever winner of the competition. A team member at the LongHorn Steakhouse in Cape Coral, Montgomery has worked for the company for eight years.

“It means everything to me,” said Montgomery about winning the competition on his second try. “I really just zoned in on my grill and took it by the reigns. I focused, I came back and I killed it!”

The six remaining finalists were also honored for their grilling prowess:

• Second Place: Kylie Hall from Farragut, TN, who was the reigning Champion in 2023

• Third Place: Esterling Rosario from Temple, TX

• Fourth Place Tie: Donnie Russell from Niles, OH; Jeff Lopez from Marlborough, MA; Haili Peters from Westland, MI; and Byron De Leon from Miami, FL

This marks the seventh year of LongHorn Steakhouse’s Steak Master Series, which recognizes LongHorn’s commitment to food quality while also celebrating the skill and expertise of grill cooks, or “Grill Masters,” across the brand’s more than 580 restaurants nationwide.

For more information about LongHorn Steakhouse, visit LongHornSteakhouse.com.

About LongHorn Steakhouse

LongHorn Steakhouse is all about quality – serving fresh, never frozen steaks that are seasoned with proprietary blends and expertly grilled by certified Grill Masters. LongHorn has more than 580 restaurants across 42 states and is committed to making a positive difference in the lives of others in the community. As part of this commitment, LongHorn Steakhouse restaurants have donated more than 28 million pounds of food to local non-profit organizations across the country. For more information and to find a location near you, visit LongHornSteakhouse.com. Fans can follow us on Facebook and Instagram.