BBQ Pitmasters is an American reality television series which follows barbecue cooks as they compete for cash and prizes in barbecue cooking competitions.
The series premiered on TLC on December 3, 2009. The eight-episode first season was filmed in a docu-reality format, as it followed several competing BBQ teams around the country to various BBQ contests.
Season two premiered on August 12, 2010, at 10 pm EDT featuring a completely new competition game show-based format. Each week, four teams competed against each other. Challenges included common protein and more exotic meat. Weekly winners faced off against each other in the second-season finale as they vied for $100,000 and the Kingsford Cup. The judges for the second season were Myron Mixon, Art Smith, and Warren Sapp. Kevin Roberts served as host.
On January 29, 2012, Myron Mixon confirmed on his Facebook account for Jack's Old South that filming for Season 3 would start in March. On April 4, 2012, it was announced that Season 3 would air on Destination America, which is a rebranded version of the Planet Green channel that launched on May 26, 2012.
On May 26, 2014, Destination America debuted a preview of their new TV series named BBQ Pit Wars. The episode first aired on May 31, 2014. This new reality show uses the old docu-reality format of BBQ Pitmasters season 1 (many viewers had voiced their preference for this format on the channel's website), in which Myron Mixon is one of the team competitors rather than a BBQ judge. Along with Stump McDowell of Stump's BBQ, Moe Cason of Ponderosa BBQ, and Michael Character of Character BBQ, the four teams compete in regional BBQ championships around the nation, for prizes, and bragging rights to be named the master of BBQ.
Series overview Season Episodes Season premiere Season finale 1 8 2 6 3 6 4 7 5 13 6 9 7 9
Season 1
Season 1: Teams Jack's Old South, led by Myron Mixon Smokin' Triggers BBQ, led by Johnny Trigg Slap Yo' Daddy BBQ, led by Harry Soo Cool Smoke, led by Tuffy Stone Wood Chick's BBQ, owned by Lee Ann Whippen Jambo Pits, led by Jamie Geer Pablo Diablo's, led by Paul Petersen, a recognized Texas chef but BBQ rookie. Notley Que BBQ led by Gary Notley
Season 2
Season 2: Judges Myron Mixon—season one competitor and owner of Jack's Old South Art Smith—celebrity chef and author of Back to the Table and Kitchen Life Warren Sapp—Super Bowl champion and barbecue enthusiast
Contestants
Season 2: Preliminary Results (Ep. 1-5) Episode Pitmaster Team Hometown Episode Result1Moe CasonPonderosa BBQDes Moines, IowaRyan AmysHot Grill on Grill ActionOmaha, NebraskaNicole DavenportTaint the SauceSheffield, TexasHarrison SappSouthern Soul BBQSaint Simons Island, Georgia2Melissa CookstonYazoo's Delta QNesbit, MississippiJohn Fernandez-MeloneBare Bones BBQPleasanton, CaliforniaRhoda BrownSmokin' FattiesWest Monroe, LouisianaBrent WaltonQN4UClovis, California3Craig KimmelFirehouse BBQDeLand, FloridaBubba LatimerBub-Ba-QJasper, GeorgiaJoe DavidsonJoe BBQBixby, OklahomaKyle Laval/Stephanie WilsonThe SlabsKansas City, Missouri4Johnny TriggSmokin' TriggersAlvarado, TexasDanielle DimovskiDiva QBarrie, OntarioJody ClarkBig Poppa SmokersCoachella, CaliforniaNeil StrawderBigmistasLong Beach, California5Shad KirtonA Boy & His BBQGrimes, IowaDan Hixon3 Eyz BBQOwings Mills, MarylandLee Ann WhippenWood Chicks BBQChesapeake, VirginiaTyler SaylerBig Mouth SmokersMemphis, Tennessee
Season 2: Final Results (Ep. 6) Episode Pitmaster Team Hometown Episode Result6Shad KirtonA Boy & His BBQGrimes, IowaMelissa CookstonYazoo's Delta QNesbit, MississippiJohnny TriggSmokin' TriggersAlvarado, TexasMoe CasonPonderosa BBQDes Moines, IowaEliminatedCraig KimmelFirehouse BBQDeLand, Florida
Season 3 In this season, three teams compete in each episode. The winning team will move on to the championship round, where they will compete for a $50,000 prize.
Season 3: Judges Myron Mixon Tuffy Stone Aaron Franklin, the owner and pitmaster of Franklin Barbecue
Contestants
Season 3: Preliminary Results (Ep. 1-5) Episode Pitmaster Team Hometown Episode Result1Wagyu Brisket & Tri-TipTupelo, MSSolomon WilliamsCarolina Rib KingGeorgetown, South CarolinaHank VaidenCotton Patch Cooking CrewColumbus, MississippiJim StancilBare Knuckles BBQOxford, Georgia2Pork Shoulder & Baby Back RibsMemphis, TNMelissa CookstonMemphis Barbecue Co.Nesbit, MississippiMoe CasonPonderosa BarbecueDes Moines, IowaDonny BrayWarren County Pork ChoppersBowling Green, Kentucky3Pork Belly and TurkeyThomaston, GAJohnny TriggSmokin' TriggersAlvarado, TexasChris HartWicked Good BBQBoston, MassachusettsCharles WilsonC-Dub's Corruption BBQPuyallup, Washington4Beef Ribs & Fresh HamDothan, ALCorey BrinsonFatback's BBQ & Rib ShackFayetteville, North CarolinaLee Ann WhippenWood Chicks BBQChesapeake, VirginiaShane McBrideRibdiculous Bar-B-KreweNew York City, New York5Chicken & Rack of PorkSalisbury, MDDanielle DimovskiDiva Q BBQOntario, CanadaRob Marion2 Worthless NutsCleveland, OhioRandy HillSouthern Krunk Burn One Boys BBQLittle Rock, Arkansas
Season 3: Final Results (Ep. 6) Episode Pitmaster Team Hometown Episode Result6Pork Shoulder, Spare Rib and CheekJohnny TriggSmokin' TriggersAlvarado, TexasCorey BrinsonFatback's BBQ & Rib ShackFayetteville, North CarolinaDanielle DimovskiDiva Q BBQOntario, CanadaSolomon WilliamsCarolina Rib KingGeorgetown, South CarolinaEliminatedMelissa CookstonMemphis Barbecue Co.Nesbit, Mississippi
Season 4 This season features individual regional BBQ style competitions. Each episode crowned a regional champion of the BBQ style for that state. Three local teams compete for bragging rights, and a $2,000 prize donated by Jack's Old South. There is no overall BBQ champion at the end of season 4. The last episode has Myron Mixon competing against his son Michael.
Season 4: Judges Myron Mixon Tuffy Stone (Aaron Franklin)
Contestants
Season 4: Episode Results Episode Pitmaster Team Hometown Episode Result1Beef Brisket & Cowboy SteakBedford, TXHarold "Buzzie" HughesBuzzie's BBQ RestaurantKerrville, TexasErnest ServantesBurnt Bean CompanyNew Braunfels, TexasWill FleischmanLockhart SmokehouseDallas, Texas2Pork Picnic & Country-Style RibsAtlanta, GADionn LantonHoly Smokes BBQDublin, GeorgiaDanny OutlawGeorgia Bob's BBQ Co.Warner Robins, GABear SloaneLazy Bear BBQGainesville, GA3Pulled Chicken, Wet & Dry Baby Back RibsMemphis, TNMark West10 Bones BBQMemphis, TNCraig BlondisCentral BBQMemphis, TNCarey BringlePeg Leg PorkerNashville, TN4Pork Spareribs & Brisket PointsKansas City, MORod GrayPellet EnvyLeawood, KansasTim GrantTrueBud BBQTonganoxie, KansasStretchGrinders BBQKansas City, Missouri5Pork Belly & Whole Pork ShoulderCharlotte, NCZach GoodyearSauceman's BBQCharlotte, NCSam JonesSkylight Inn BBQAyden, NCDebbie HoltClyde Copper's BBQRaleigh, North Carolina6Mutton & Country HamMunfordville, KYJohn ForemanOld Hickory Bar-B-QOwensboro, KentuckyMike RamageStill Smokin' BBQLouisville, KentuckyRoy HenryHenry's Boogalou BBQOwensboro, Kentucky7The Big Pig JigVienna, GAMyron MixonJack's Old SouthUnadilla, GeorgiaMichael MixonJack's New SouthUnadilla, Georgia
Season 5 This season the BBQ competition returns to the previous elimination format. Three teams from around the country compete in each episode, and the winning teams advance to the finale. The overall grand BBQ champion wins a $50,000 prize.
Season 5: Judges Myron Mixon Tuffy Stone (3rd Judge changes in each episode)
Contestants
Season 5: Episode Results Episode Pitmaster Team Hometown Episode Result1Pork Butt & SpareribsDavid BouskaButcher BBQChandler, OklahomaEric ThomasThe Rolling GrillAtlanta, GeorgiaBig Jim ModesittBig Jim's BBQSan Francisco, California2Whole Pork Shoulder & Whole ChickenMark "Pig Daddy" LittleTeam BibsWinston-Salem, North CarolinaSara HorowitzNacho MamaEl Paso, TexasChuck BakerBarrel House BBQLynchburg, Tennessee3Beef Shoulder Clod & Beef RibsMichael CharacterCharacter's Famous BBQAdairsville, GeorgiaGlenn GrossFat Jack's BBQPhiladelphia, PennsylvaniaGarry RoarkUbons BBQ of YazooYazoo, Mississippi4Buffalo Brisket & Bone in Pork LoinJeff VanderlindeShiggin' & Grinnin'Delano, MinnesotaAndy KingThe Bastey BoysTempleton, MassachusettsScott LanePiggy's UKHugglescote, Leicestershire, UK5Turkey & Baby Back RibsRob "Rub" BagbySwamp BoysWinter Haven, FloridaTommy HoustonCheckered PigMartinsville, VirginiaJennifer DuncanSmoked to the BoneGilbert, Arizona6Brisket Points & Turkey LegsLynnae OxleySugar's BBQPortland, OregonDanny CooglePit Bulls Up in SmokeKennesaw, GeorgiaCody ArchieLulu's BBQEast Prairie, Missouri7Pork Belly & BBQ Chicken WingsStump McDowellStump's BBQ TeamElko, GeorgiaJamie GeerJambo Pits Cooking TeamBurleson, TexasRich TuttleK Cass Bar-B-QueKansas City, Missouri8Pork Spare Ribs & Brisket FlatRod GrayPellet EnvyKansas City, KansasCorey BrinsonFatback's BBQ & Rib ShackFayetteville, North CarolinaMark West10 Bones BBQHernando, Mississippi9Country-Style Ribs & Beef Tri-TipRobby RoyalRescue SmokersSycamore, GeorgiaJack WaiboerCommon Interest BBQCharleston, South CarolinaHowie KleinbergBulldog BBQMiami, Florida10Fresh Ham & Buffalo Short RibsDavid BouskaButcher BBQChandler, OklahomaMichael CharacterCharacter's Famous BBQAdairsville, GeorgiaMark "Pig Daddy" LittleTeam BibsWinston-Salem, North Carolina11Whole Pork Shoulder & BBQ Meatloaf (Pork, Veal, and Beef Chunks)Lynnae OxleySugar's BBQPortland, OregonRob "Rub" BagbySwamp BoysWinter Haven, FloridaJeff VanderlindeShiggin' and Grinnin'Delano, Minnesota12Brisket Point & Venison TenderloinRod GrayPellet EnvyKansas City, KansasRobby RoyalRescue SmokersSycamore, GeorgiaStump McDowellStump's BBQ TeamElko, Georgia13Whole HogFinaleRod GrayPellet EnvyLeawood, KansasLynnae OxleySugar's BBQPortland, OregonDavid BouskaButcher BBQChandler, Oklahoma
Season 6 All Season 6 episodes were filmed in a single location in Florida.
Season 6: Judges Myron Mixon Tuffy Stone Moe Cason
Contestants
Season 6: Preliminary Results (Ep. 1-6) Episode Pitmaster Team Hometown Episode Result1Bone-In Ham & Smoked SalmonRobby RoyalRescue SmokersSycamore, GeorgiaJohn A. Ley Jr.Heavenly HawgsPerry, GeorgiaEric ThomasThe Rolling GrillAtlanta, Georgia2Vegas Strip Steak & Brisket FlatJunior UriasUp in Smoke BBQMidland, TexasJD DavidsmeyerJD's Team Xtreme BBQSan Antonio, TexasMatt PittmanMeat ChurchWaxahachie, Texas3Smoked Beef Prime Rib & Whole ChickenJoe PearceSqueal Like A Pig BBQKansas City, MissouriMichael JohnsonSugarfire SmokehouseSt. Louis, MissouriRichard FergolaFergolicious BBQGardner, Kansas4Pork Spareribs & Pork ButtsKen WoodCharcoal CowboysFranklin, TennesseeMichael McDearmanFired Up BBQCookeville, TennesseeChris ChadwickHawg County CookersMcKenzie, Tennessee5Baby Back Ribs & Pork ShoulderCarl H. LewisBig Show BBQFremont, North CarolinaJonathan UpchurchRocky Top BBQMonroe, North CarolinaChristopher PrietoPrime BBQWendell, North Carolina6Whole Turkey & Rack of LambJohn CoonHouse of QSpringville, AlabamaJeff PetkeviciusGive it to God BBQPonchatoula, LouisianaHoward DaleyDTS BBQNew York City, New York
Season 6: Semi-Final Results (Ep. 7-8) Episode Pitmaster Team Hometown Episode Result7Baby Back Ribs, Beef Ribs, Country Style RibsRobby RoyalRescue Fire SmokersSycamore, GeorgiaJohn CoonHouse of QSpringville, AlabamaJunior UriasUp In Smoke BBQMidland, Texas8Brisket Point, Cowboy Steaks, Beef TenderloinJoe PearceSqueal Like A Pig BBQKansas City, MissouriCarl H. LewisBig Show BBQFremont, North CarolinaKen WoodCharcoal CowboysFranklin, Tennessee
Season 6: Final Results (Episode 9) Episode Pitmaster Team Hometown Episode Result9Brisket Flat, Spare Ribs, Whole Chicken, Whole Pork Shoulder One Bite Challenge: ShrimpRobby RoyalRescue Fire SmokersSycamore, GeorgiaJoe PearceSqueal Like A Pig BBQKansas City, Missouri
BBQ Pit Wars
References
External links Official website