pitmaster
noun
pit·mas·ter
ˈpit-ˌma-stər 
variants
or pit master
plural pitmasters or pit masters
: a person who oversees the cooking done in a barbecue pit : a professional or skilled barbecuer
"This is good, really good," Allan says, tasting pitmaster Scott Smith's first cured pork belly. "I wouldn't change a thing."—
John T. Edge
John T. EdgeHe was one of Houston's most celebrated pitmasters and helped to kick off the barbecue renaissance here.—J. C. Reid
J. C. ReidRobert Polk, the pit master I met earlier this morning, comes in carrying a gorgeous brisket fresh from the smoker and hands it off to Smitty, who starts slicing it to make sandwiches and plates.—Patricia Sharpe
Patricia SharpeExamples of pitmaster in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Barbecue lovers in Texas and beyond have plenty to celebrate as three notable pitmasters fire up new locations.
—Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 May 2026
In 2022, Donald founded the Carolina BBQ Festival, which brings pitmasters from around the Carolinas to Charlotte each April.
—Robert F. Moss, Southern Living, 16 Apr. 2026
All the pitmasters combined get one vote, and Michelle, Kristen, Tom, and Gail each get one vote.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 14 Apr. 2026
Two years after opening Smoke Queen Barbecue’s first brick-and-mortar location in Garden Grove, Winnie Yee, one of the country’s few female pitmasters, still sometimes catches herself looking around the restaurant in disbelief.
—Brock Keeling, Oc Register, 14 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pitmaster
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Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 May 2026
In 2022, Donald founded the Carolina BBQ Festival, which brings pitmasters from around the Carolinas to Charlotte each April.
—Robert F. Moss, Southern Living, 16 Apr. 2026
All the pitmasters combined get one vote, and Michelle, Kristen, Tom, and Gail each get one vote.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 14 Apr. 2026
Two years after opening Smoke Queen Barbecue’s first brick-and-mortar location in Garden Grove, Winnie Yee, one of the country’s few female pitmasters, still sometimes catches herself looking around the restaurant in disbelief.
—Brock Keeling, Oc Register, 14 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pitmaster
Cite this Entry
“Pitmaster.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pitmaster. Accessed 5 May. 2026.
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