‘Beyond the Bayou’: Jep Robertson Gets Into ‘Duck Dynasty’-Style Cookoff

Jep and Jessica Robertson are cowboying up on Beyond the Bayou as the family is going all in on Mirador and the whimsical Comanche Moon Ranch. The Great American Media series chronicles their big move from Louisiana to Texas where they’re helping transform a property into an outdoorsy oasis. Jep felt they made the right decision to take up his good friend Lance’s offer to partner on his latest project. 

At the start of the August 27 episode, everyone was still getting acclimated to their new environment. Jep and Jessica’s sons River and Gus were enjoying the open space. Jessica liked the camping experiment, which gave her a renewed appreciation for their rental. The opportunity to take a hot shower and have the refuge of the indoors will not be lost on her. Lance revealed his big plans for the new ranch community, following a blueprint of past business veneers and could see future phases. Jessica also had an idea that she hoped Lance would appreciate. 

Read on to find out what that is.   

While Comanche Moon was set to have a number of great amenities, Jessica suggested a place to gather. She thought it would be a great way to build community. Lance’s wife Kandis wanted to take her to another property that may be along the lines of what she had in mind. Meanwhile, Gus was adapting to home schooling with the help of his sister Priscilla, who was studying to become a teacher. Even though things were going well, Jessica was concerned that he missed social interaction with other kids his age. To help Jep, reached out to Scott in Louisiana to see if he, his wife Kelly, and his son Jeff would want to come out for a visit. Jeff was one of Gus’ good friends with Scott also close with Jep as an elder in the church. 

River and Gus (Great American Media)

Dwayne, the property manager, was hard at work to make up for lost time due to the rains. Jep was concerned as Lance felt the pressure to see his investment through in a timely manner. Jep and Lance stepped in to speed up the process of seeding the grounds. Jep attempted to get back into a manual truck for the first time since 1990-something. The two worked to add more greenery so it looked more “Texas Shire” and less like Mars. Seeing how hard everyone was working, Lance and Jep thought it would be nice to serve up some food for the crew. In the spirit of Duck Dynasty, this evolved into a cookoff where it was Louisiana versus Texas. Jep wanted to serve up his famous andouille sausage jambalaya. Lance thought the Lone Star State specialty wagyu chili would be superior. 

With Lance having the home field advantage getting his meat and other ingredients, Jep called an audible to have Scott bring him what he needed, his “secret weapon” in the sausage from Cajun country. When the visitors came, Gus was happy to hang with Jeff and go fishing. Later on, the crew met for the meal and gave their vote in the cookoff. In the end, it was a tie. You really couldn’t go wrong with either. 

Related

'Beyond the Bayou': Jep & Jessica Robertson Face Life-Changing Decision

Jessica and Kandis venture off to see Lance’s fourth property. It’s where Kanis showed Jessica a chapel, which further created inspiration. Jessica could see something similar on a bigger scale for their current project. Jep suggested Jessica go to Lance with her vision. She saw the space would be ideal for worship, cookouts, Bible studies, and other gatherings that would make the community come together. Lance told Jessica he couldn’t head another project. Jessica continued to push this as a great opportunity. He ultimately gave her a maybe down the line sort of answer, which was a sliver of hope in her eyes. Jessica wasn’t going to take no for an answer. 

Jessica spoke to Kandis about the conversation with Lance. Kandis thought Jessica should give Lance another try. Perhaps, maybe Kandis would help behind the scenes. Happy wife, happy life and all. Jessica took her up on the idea with a follow-up conversation. Lance put some thoughts in it (…Kandis spoke to him?) and talked about bringing a partner on board. He also had a spot in mind. Together they met with who that was, contemporary Christian musician Shane Everett of Shane and Shane. Jep got emotional at the space, sparking memories of his late dad Phil, who died last year. It looked like plans would move forward. Lance dedicated the area with a cross and prayer. 

Jep & Jess: Beyond the Bayou, Thursdays, Great American Pure Flix 

(9/8c, Saturdays, Great American Family and GFAM+)