Alabama folks know how to turn up the heat on reality TV. For more than a decade, people from our state have excelled on cooking shows, preparing everything from a five-course meal to a down-home plate of barbecue.

Right now, we’re keeping our eyes on Savannah Miles, a Harvard-educated farmer from Etowah County who’s competing on Season 13 of “MasterChef.” She made a stellar debut on the Fox series in June, representing Alabama with her sweet Southern drawl and scrumptious fried chicken.

“MasterChef” has been airing reruns for a couple of weeks, but a new episode is promised for July 12, and we’ll be tuning in to see Miles in action. In the meantime, however, we’ve been thinking about chefs and home cooks from Alabama who’ve been outstanding TV competitors in the past.

Here are six of our favorites, from an innovative restaurant owner to an extroverted sauce boss.

KELSEY BARNARD CLARK