BBQ Pitmasters facts for kids

Quick facts for kids BBQ Pitmasters
Logo from its first season.
Composer(s)	Vanacore Music
Country of origin	United States
Original language(s)	English
No. of seasons	7
No. of episodes	57
Production
Running time	46 minutes
Release
Original network	TLC (2009–2010) Destination America (2012–2015)
Original release	December 3, 2009 (2009-12-03) – July 16, 2015 (2015-07-16)

BBQ Pitmasters is an American reality television show. It follows talented barbecue cooks as they compete to win money and other cool prizes. They show off their skills in different barbecue cooking contests across the country.

The show first started on TLC on December 3, 2009.

What is BBQ Pitmasters?

BBQ Pitmasters is a TV show where expert barbecue cooks face off in exciting challenges. They cook different kinds of meat, like pork, beef, and chicken, using special barbecue techniques. Judges taste their creations and decide who made the best barbecue. The show is all about the art and science of smoking and grilling delicious food.

How the Show Works

The show's format changed a few times over the years.

• Season 1 (2009-2010): This season was like a documentary. It followed several barbecue teams as they traveled to different contests around the country. Viewers got to see their journey and how they prepared for each competition.
• Season 2 (2010): The show changed to a game show style. Each week, four teams competed in challenges. They cooked common meats and sometimes more unusual ones. The winners from each week then competed in a big finale for $100,000 and the Kingsford Cup.
• Season 3 (2012): This season featured three teams per episode. The winning team from each episode moved on to a championship round. The grand prize was $50,000. The show also moved to a new channel, Destination America.
• Season 4 (2012-2013): This season focused on different regional BBQ styles. Each episode crowned a champion for that state's specific BBQ style. Three local teams competed for bragging rights and a $2,000 prize. There was no overall champion this season.
• Season 5 (2013): The show returned to an elimination style competition. Three teams competed in each episode, and the winners advanced to the finale. The grand champion won a $50,000 prize.
• Season 6 (2014): All episodes for this season were filmed in one location in Florida. It followed a similar elimination format, leading to a grand champion.
• Season 7 (2015): This was the final season, continuing the competition format.

Meet the Judges

Over the seasons, different barbecue experts and celebrities judged the competitions:

• Myron Mixon: A famous barbecue pitmaster and competitor from Season 1. He became a main judge from Season 2 onwards.
• Art Smith: A well-known chef who judged in Season 2.
• Warren Sapp: A Super Bowl champion and barbecue fan who also judged in Season 2.
• Tuffy Stone: Another top pitmaster who joined as a judge from Season 3.
• Aaron Franklin: The owner of Franklin Barbecue, a very famous barbecue spot, who judged in Seasons 3 and 4.
• Moe Cason: A pitmaster who competed in Season 2 and later became a judge in Season 6.

Series overview

Season by Season Fun

Here's a closer look at what happened in each season of BBQ Pitmasters.

Season 1: The Beginning

The first season followed teams like Jack's Old South (led by Myron Mixon) and Smokin' Triggers BBQ (led by Johnny Trigg). They traveled to famous BBQ competitions in places like Mesquite, Nevada, Murphysboro, Illinois, and Kansas City, Missouri. The teams faced challenges like cooking whole hogs and dealing with tough weather. It was a real look into the world of competitive barbecue.

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: New Competition Style

This season changed to a head-to-head competition format. Teams cooked specific meats like pork butt, crown roast pork, brisket, spare ribs, and even a Turducken (chicken, duck, and turkey cooked inside each other!). The weekly winners then competed in the finale for $100,000 and the Kingsford Cup. Shad Kirton of A Boy & His BBQ won the grand prize.

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

Season 2: Preliminary Results (Ep. 1-5)

Season 2: Final Results (Ep. 6)

Season 3: Battle for $50,000

In Season 3, three teams competed in each episode. They cooked different meats like beef brisket, tri-tip, pork shoulder, and baby back ribs. The winner of each episode moved on to the championship round. The ultimate champion won a $50,000 prize. Johnny Trigg won the grand prize this season.

Season 3: Judges

• Myron Mixon
• Tuffy Stone
• Aaron Franklin, the owner and pitmaster of Franklin Barbecue

Season 3: Preliminary Results (Ep. 1-5)

Season 3: Final Results (Ep. 6)

Season 4: Regional BBQ Styles

Season 4 was all about celebrating different regional BBQ styles across the USA. Each episode focused on a specific state or region, like Texas, Georgia, or Kansas City. Three local teams competed to be crowned the regional champion and win a $2,000 prize. There was no single overall champion this season. In one special episode, Myron Mixon even competed against his son, Michael!

Season 4: Judges

• Myron Mixon
• Tuffy Stone
• (Aaron Franklin)

Season 4: Episode Results

Season 5: Back to Elimination

This season brought back the exciting elimination format. Three teams competed in each episode, and the winners moved on to the grand finale. The challenges included cooking pork butt, spareribs, whole chicken, and beef ribs. The overall grand champion won a $50,000 prize. Rod Gray of Pellet Envy won the big prize this season.

Season 5: Judges

• Myron Mixon
• Tuffy Stone
• (A third judge changed in each episode)

Season 5: Episode Results

Season 6: Florida BBQ Battles

All episodes of Season 6 were filmed in one spot in Florida. Teams competed in regional-style contests, like Georgia style or Texas style BBQ. The winners moved on to semi-final rounds, hoping to reach the grand finale. The challenges included cooking bone-in ham, smoked salmon, prime rib, and whole chicken. Robby Royal of Rescue Fire Smokers won the grand prize this season.

Season 6: Judges

• Myron Mixon
• Tuffy Stone
• Moe Cason

Season 6: Preliminary Results (Ep. 1-6)

Season 6: Semi-Final Results (Ep. 7-8)

Season 6: Final Results (Episode 9)