BBQ Pitmasters
BBQ Pitmasters | |
---|---|
Country of origin | United States |
Original language | English |
No. of seasons | 6 |
No. of episodes | 49 |
Production | |
Running time | 46 minutes |
Original release | |
Network | TLC (2009-2010) Destination America (2012-) |
Release | December 3, 2009 present | –
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.[1] Each week, four teams competed against each other. Challenges included a common protein and a 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.[2] Kevin Roberts served as host.[3]
On January 29, 2012, Myron Mixon confirmed on the 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, a rebranded version of the Planet Green channel that launched on May 26, 2012.[4]
On May 26, 2014, Destination America debuted a preview of their new TV series named BBQ Pit Wars. The first episode aired in 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.[5]
Series overview
Season | Episodes | Season Premiere | Season Finale | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 8 | December 3, 2009 | February 4, 2010 | |
2 | 6 | August 12, 2010 | September 23, 2010 | |
3 | 6 | May 30, 2012 | July 1, 2012 | |
4 | 7 | December 16, 2012 | January 20, 2013 | |
5 | 13 | June 2, 2013 | August 25, 2013 | |
6 | 9 | April 12, 2014 | June 14, 2014 |
Season 1
Ep # | Total | Title | Airdate | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 1 | "Smokin' in Mesquite" | December 3, 2009 | |
The teams travel to Mesquite, Nevada to compete at the Smokin' in Mesquite BBQ competition, which has $40,000 in cash and prizes at stake. | ||||
2 | 2 | "Murphysboro Barbecue Cook-off" | December 10, 2009 | |
The teams compete at one of the most difficult competitions of the year, the Murphysboro Barbecue Cook-off, in Murphysboro, Illinois. Myron and Lee Ann face off in the whole hog competition, while tempers flare between Johnny and one of the local cooks. | ||||
3 | 3 | "Decatur Jaycees Riverfest" | December 17, 2009 | |
The teams travel to Decatur, Alabama to the historic Decatur Riverfest. This is where the pitmasters' cooking skills, nerves, and patience are tested and the $3,000 top prize is at stake. | ||||
4 | 4 | "American Royal Invitational Barbecue" | January 7, 2010 | |
The top teams are invited to compete at the American Royal Invitational in Kansas City, Missouri. Myron has to compete against his biggest competition on the barbecue competition circuit, Chris Lilly, and Rookie Paul begs for help from barbecue professional, Johnny Trigg. | ||||
5 | 5 | "American Royal Open Barbecue" | January 11, 2010 | |
Nearly 500 professional and amateur teams battle it out at the American Royal Open in Kansas City, Missouri for over $40,000 in prizes. | ||||
6 | 6 | "Diamond State BBQ" | January 21, 2010 | |
The teams travel to Dover, Delaware to compete at the Diamond State BBQ Championship, where the weather is less than ideal. Harry faces his former teammate, Gary, who is competing on his own for the first time, and Tuffy does Myron a favor that could hurt his own chances of winning. | ||||
7 | 7 | "The Big Pig Jig" | January 28, 2010 | |
The teams travel to Vienna, Georgia to compete at the Big Pig Jig, the oldest barbecue event in Georgia. Myron works to defend his title on his home turf and Tuffy takes on a double challenge, attempting his first whole hog on a new pit. | ||||
8 | 8 | "Johnny Trigg's Shootout" | February 4, 2010 | |
Johnny Trigg, the Godfather of Ribs, invites his closest friends and fiercest rivals to Mineral Wells, Texas for a rib throwdown and for the first time ever, the pitmasters watch the judges' reactions. |
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, who is currently a chef/partner of Chicago Q.
- Jambo Pits, led by Jamie Geer
- Pablo Diablo's, led by Paul Petersen, a recognized Texas chef but BBQ rookie.
Season 2
Ep # | Total | Title | Airdate | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 9 | "Butt Out!" | August 12, 2010 | |
Four top pitmasters from around the country compete head-to-head in a pork butt cook-off. However, one team is eliminated when their catfish is not up to par and the remaining three continue to vie to win $5,000 and an invitation to the season finale. | ||||
2 | 10 | "Roasted Development" | August 19, 2010 | |
Four top pitmasters from around the country compete head-to-head to prove who has the best crown roast pork in the hottest challenge yet. However, with one pitmaster headed into an ambulance, the remaining three vie to win $5,000 and an invitation to the season finale. | ||||
3 | 11 | "Up In Smoke!" | August 26, 2010 | |
Four top pitmasters from around the country compete head-to-head to prove who makes the best brisket. While the meat cooks low and slow, tempers flare as the teams vie to win $5,000 and an invitation to the season finale. | ||||
4 | 12 | "Not a Moment To Spare" | September 2, 2010 | |
Four BBQ Pitmasters face off with a BBQ favorite - spare ribs. But first, they face a prehistoric challenge that could extinct them from the competition and their chance at $5,000 and an invitation to the finale for the $100,000 grand prize. | ||||
5 | 13 | "Fowl Play" | September 16, 2010 | |
Four of America's top Pitmasters face off against the trifecta of fowl... a Turducken! There's $5000 at stake and an invitation into the finale for the largest prize in BBQ... $100,000 and the Kingsford Cup. | ||||
6 | 14 | "Bring Home the Bacon" | September 23, 2010 | |
The five BBQ Pitmaster winners from this season come together to face the most difficult of BBQ challenges: the whole hog on old-fashioned cinder block pits. Only one can win the Kingsford Cup, the $100,000 prize and be named BBQ Pitmaster Grand Champion. |
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: Prelim Results (Ep. 1-5)
Moe Cason | Ponderosa BBQ | Des Moines, Iowa | $5000 & invite to finale | |
Ryan Amys | Hot Grill on Grill Action | Omaha, Nebraska | ||
Nicole Davenport | Taint the Sauce | Sheffield, Texas | ||
Harrison Sapp | Southern Soul BBQ | Saint Simons Island, Georgia | ||
Melissa Cookston | Yazoo's Delta Q | Nesbit, Mississippi | $5000 & invite to finale | |
John Fernandez-Melone | Bare Bones BBQ | Pleasanton, California | ||
Rhoda Brown | Smokin' Fatties | West Monroe, Louisiana | ||
Brent Walton | QN4U | Clovis, California | ||
Craig Kimmel | Firehouse BBQ | DeLand, Florida | $5000 & invite to finale | |
Bubba Latimer | Bub-Ba-Q | Jasper, Georgia | ||
Joe Davidson | Joe BBQ | Bixby, Oklahoma | ||
Kyle Laval/Stephanie Wilson | The Slabs | Kansas City, Missouri | ||
Johnny Trigg | Smokin' Triggers | Alvarado, Texas | $5000 & invite to finale | |
Danielle Dimovski | Diva Q | Barrie, Ontario | ||
Jody Clark | Big Poppa Smokers | Coachella, California | ||
Neil Strawder | Bigmistas | Long Beach, California | ||
Shad Kirton | A Boy & His BBQ | Grimes, Iowa | $5000 & invite to finale | |
Dan Hixon | 3 Eyz BBQ | Owings Mills, Maryland | ||
Lee Ann Whippen | Wood Chicks BBQ | Chesapeake, Virginia | ||
Tyler Sayler | Big Mouth Smokers | Memphis, Tennessee |
Season 2: Final Results (Ep. 6)
Shad Kirton | A Boy & His BBQ | Grimes, Iowa | ||
Melissa Cookston | Yazoo's Delta Q | Nesbit, Mississippi | ||
Johnny Trigg | Smokin' Triggers | Alvarado, Texas | ||
Moe Cason | Ponderosa BBQ | Des Moines, Iowa | ||
Craig Kimmel | Firehouse BBQ | DeLand, 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.
Ep # | Total | Title | Airdate | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 15 | "Try, Try, Tri-Tip Again" | May 30, 2012 | |
Three Pitmasters compete at the Don't Be Cruel BBQ to see who has the best beef brisket and tri-tip | ||||
2 | 16 | "Baby Light My Fire" | June 3, 2012 | |
Three Pitmasters compete at the annual Pigs in Flight BBQ Competition. | ||||
3 | 17 | "Trimming the Fat" | June 10, 2012 | |
4 | 18 | "All Hammered Up!" | June 17, 2012 | |
5 | 19 | "Doctors, Divas, and 2 Worthless Nuts" | June 24, 2012 | |
6 | 20 | "The Grand Porkin' Finale" | July 1, 2012 |
Season 3: Judges
- Myron Mixon
- Tuffy Stone
- Aaron Franklin
Contestants
Season 3: Prelim Results (Ep. 1-5)
Wagyu Brisket & Tri-Tip Tupelo, MS |
Solomon Williams | Carolina Rib King | Georgetown, South Carolina | |
Hank Vaiden | Cotton Patch Cooking Crew | Columbus, Mississippi | ||
Jim Stancil | Bare Knuckles BBQ | Oxford, Georgia | ||
Pork Shoulder & Baby Back Ribs Memphis, TN |
Melissa Cookston | Memphis Barbecue Co. | Nesbit, Mississippi | |
Moe Cason | Ponderosa Barbecue | Des Moines, Iowa | ||
Donny Bray | Warren County Pork Choppers | Bowling Green, Kentucky | ||
Pork Belly and Turkey Thomaston, GA |
Johnny Trigg | Smokin' Triggers | Alvarado, Texas | |
Chris Hart | Wicked Good BBQ | Boston, Massachusetts | ||
Charles Wilson | C-Dub's Corruption BBQ | Puyallup, Washington | ||
Beef Ribs & Fresh Ham Dothan, AL |
Corey Brinson | Fatback's BBQ & Rib Shack | Fayetteville, North Carolina | |
Lee Ann Whippen | Wood Chicks BBQ | Chesapeake, Virginia | ||
Shane McBride | Ribdiculous Bar-B-Krewe | New York City, New York | ||
Chicken & Rack of Pork Salisbury, MD |
Danielle Dimovski | Diva Q BBQ | Ontario, Canada | |
Rob Marion | 2 Worthless Nuts | Cleveland, Ohio | ||
Randy Hill | Southern Krunk Burn One Boys BBQ | Little Rock, Arkansas |
Season 3: Final Results (Ep. 6)
Johnny Trigg | Smokin' Triggers | Alvarado, Texas | ||
Corey Brinson | Fatback's BBQ & Rib Shack | Fayetteville, North Carolina | ||
Danielle Dimovski | Diva Q BBQ | Ontario, Canada | ||
Solomon Williams | Carolina Rib King | Georgetown, South Carolina | ||
Melissa Cookston | Memphis 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.
Ep # | Total | Title | Airdate | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 21 | "Deep in the Heart of BBQ" | December 16, 2012 | |
2 | 22 | "Peach State Country Picnic" | December 23, 2012 | |
3 | 23 | "True Blue Memphis Style Que" | December 30, 2012[6] | |
4 | 24 | "Royal Ribs & Burnt Ends" | January 6, 2013[6] | |
5 | 25 | "Carolina's Divine Swine Cook Off" | January 13, 2013[6] | |
Sauceman's Zach Goodyear became the North Carolina Champion defeating Sam Jones and Debbie Holt | ||||
6 | 26 | "Bluegrass, Bourbon & BBQ" | January 20, 2013[6] | |
7 | 27 | "Father vs. Son" | January 25, 2013[6] |
Season 4: Judges
- Myron Mixon
- Tuffy Stone
- (3rd Judge changes in each episode)
Contestants
Season 4: Episode Results
Beef Brisket & Cowboy Steak Bedford, TX |
Harold “Buzzie” Hughes | Buzzie’s BBQ Restaurant | Kerrville, Texas | |
Ernest Servantes | Burnt Bean Company | New Braunfels, Texas | ||
Will Fleischman | Lockhart Smokehouse | Dallas, Texas | ||
Pork Picnic & Country-Style Ribs Atlanta, GA |
Dionn Lanton | Holy Smokes BBQ | Dublin, Georgia | |
Danny Outlaw | Georgia Bob's BBQ Co. | Warner Robins, GA | ||
Bear Sloane | Lazy Bear BBQ | Gainesville, GA | ||
Pulled Chicken, Wet & Dry Baby Back Ribs Memphis, TN |
Mark West | 10 Bones BBQ | Memphis, TN | |
Craig Blondis | Central BBQ | Memphis, TN | ||
Carey Bringle | Peg Leg Porker | Nashville, TN | ||
Pork Spareribs & Brisket Points Kansas City, MO |
Rod Gray | Pellet Envy | Leawood, Kansas | |
Tim Grant | TrueBud BBQ | Tonganoxie, Kansas | ||
Stretch | Grinders BBQ | Kansas City, Missouri | ||
Mutton & Country Ham Munfordville, KY |
John Foreman | Old Hickory Bar-B-Q | Owensboro, Kentucky | |
Mike Ramage | Still Smokin' BBQ | Louisville, Kentucky | ||
Roy Henry | Henry's Boogalou BBQ | Owensboro, Kentucky | ||
The Big Pig Jig Vienna, GA |
Myron Mixon | Jack's Old South | Unadilla, Georgia | |
Michael Mixon | Jack's New South | Unadilla, 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.
Ep # | Total | Title | Airdate |
---|---|---|---|
1 | 28 | "When Pigs Fly" | June 2, 2013 |
2 | 29 | "Por-ken for Dinner" | June 16, 2013 |
3 | 30 | "Everything is Beefier in Texas" | June 2, 2013 |
4 | 31 | "BBQ Border Battle" | June 23, 2013 |
5 | 32 | "Race to the Finish" | June 30, 2013 |
6 | 33 | "Kicking it in KC" | July 7, 2013 |
7 | 34 | "A NY State of Cue" | July 14, 2013 |
8 | 35 | "Champions Q-Off" | July 21, 2013 |
9 | 36 | "O-Cue-Homa" | July 28, 2013 |
10 | 37 | "Virginia is for BBQ Lovers" | August 4, 2013 |
11 | 38 | "My Kind of Q" | August 11, 2013 |
12 | 39 | "Show Me the Q" | August 18, 2013 |
13 | 40 | "BBQ Dreams Come True" | August 25, 2013 |
Season 5: Judges
- Myron Mixon
- Tuffy Stone
- (3rd Judge changes in each episode)
Contestants
Season 5: Episode Results
Pork Butt & Spareribs |
David Bouska | Butcher BBQ | Chandler, Oklahoma | |
Eric Thomas | The Rolling Grill | Atlanta, Georgia | ||
Big Jim Modesitt | Big Jim's BBQ | San Francisco, California | ||
Whole Hog Finale |
Rod Gray | Pellet Envy | Leawood, Kansas | |
Lynnae Oxley | Sugar's BBQ | Portland, Oregon | ||
David Bouska | Butcher BBQ | Chandler, Oklahoma |
Season 6
All Season 6 episodes were filmed in a single location in Florida.
Ep # | Total | Title | Airdate | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 41 | "Sweet Georgia Ham" | April 12, 2014 | |
BBQ Pitmasters veterans Robby Royal and Eric Thomas face off against newcomer John Ley in this Georgia style contest to see who will move on to win a shot at becoming BBQ Pitmaster Grand Champion. | ||||
2 | 42 | "Lone Star Smoke War" | April 19, 2014 | |
Texas pitmasters JD Davidsmeyer, Matt Pittman, and Junior Urias battle it out for the title of BBQ Pitmasters Texas Champion and a chance to compete for the $50,000 grand prize. | ||||
3 | 43 | "Kansas City Que-Off" | April 26, 2014[6] | |
Kansas City locals Michael Johnson, Richard Fergola, and Joe Pearce step in the ring of BBQ Pitmasters for the title of BBQ Pitmasters Kansas City Champion and a shot at the $50,000 grand prize. | ||||
4 | 44 | "Smoking in Memphis" | May 3, 2014[6] | |
Tennessee cookers Ken Wood, Michael McDearman and Chris Chadwick summon that Memphis soul and go toe to toe to see who will win BBQ Pitmasters Memphis Championship and the chance to win the $50,000 grand prize. | ||||
5 | 45 | "Kings of Carolina" | May 10, 2014[6] | |
North Carolina cookers Jonathan Upchurch, Christopher Prieto and Carl Lewis must fan their flames and get things cooking to get a shot at competing for $50,000 and the title of BBQ Pitmasters Grand Champion. | ||||
6 | 46 | "Made in the USA" | May 17, 2014[6] | |
Among Louisianan Jeff Petkevicius, New Yorker Howard Daley and Alabaman Jeff Coon, which wild card competitor will emerge victorious and keep their barbecue dream alive? | ||||
7 | 47 | "Ribs, Ribs, and More Ribs" | May 31, 2014[6] | |
Among Georgia Champion Robby Royal of Rescue Smokers, Texas Champion Junior Urias of Up in Smoke and Wild Card Champion John Coon of House of Q, who will emerge victorious to continue on to win the title of BBQ Pitmasters Grand Champion? | ||||
8 | 48 | "Best in Beef" | June 7, 2014[6] | |
Regional Champions Joe Pearce, Ken Wood and Carl Lewis are grilling to stay alive in this thrilling BBQ Pitmasters Semi Final round. They all know that only one will survive and have a chance to be crowned Kingsford BBQ Pitmasters Grand Champion. | ||||
9 | 49 | "Winner Takes All" | June 14, 2014[6] | |
Semi Final Champions Robby Royal of Rescue Smokers and Joe Pearce of Squeal Like A Pig BBQ go head to head in the Finale to decide once and for all who is the Kingsford BBQ Pitmasters Grand Champion and winner of the $50,000 grand prize. |
Season 6: Judges
- Myron Mixon
- Tuffy Stone
- Moe Cason
Contestants
Season 6: Prelim Results (Ep. 1-6)
Bone-In Ham & Smoked Salmon |
Robby Royal | Rescue Smokers | Sycamore, Georgia | Invite to semi-final 1 |
John A. Ley Jr. | Heavenly Hawgs | Perry, Georgia | ||
Eric Thomas | The Rolling Grill | Atlanta, Georgia | ||
Vegas Strip Steak & Brisket Flat | ||||
Junior Urias | Up in Smoke BBQ | Midland, Texas | Invite to semi-final 1 | |
JD Davidsmeyer | JD's Team Xtreme BBQ | San Antonio, Texas | ||
Matt Pittman | Meat Church | Waxahachie, Texas | ||
Smoked Beef Prime Rib & Whole Chicken | ||||
Joe Pearce | Squeal Like A Pig BBQ | Kansas City, Missouri | Invite to semi-final 2 | |
Michael Johnson | Sugarfire Smokehouse | St. Louis, Missouri | ||
Richard Fergola | Fergolicious BBQ | Gardner, Kansas | ||
Pork Spareribs & Pork Butts | ||||
Ken Wood | Charcoal Cowboys | Franklin, Tennessee | Invite to semi-final 2 | |
Michael McDearman | Fired Up BBQ | Cookeville, Tennessee | ||
Chris Chadwick | Hawg County Cookers | McKenzie, Tennessee | ||
Baby Back Ribs & Pork Shoulder | ||||
Carl H. Lewis | Big Show BBQ | Fremont, North Carolina | Invite to semi-final 2 | |
Jonathan Upchurch | Rocky Top BBQ | Monroe, North Carolina | ||
Christopher Prieto | Prime BBQ | Wendell, North Carolina | ||
Whole Turkey & Rack of Lamb | ||||
John Coon | House of Q | Springville, Alabama | Invite to semi-final 1 | |
Jeff Petkevicius | Give it to God BBQ | Ponchatoula, Louisiana | ||
Howard Daley | DTS BBQ | New York City, New York |
Season 6: Semi-Final Results (Ep. 7-8)
Baby Back Ribs, Beef Ribs, Country Style Ribs | ||||
Robby Royal | Rescue Fire Smokers | Sycamore, Georgia | Advances to Final | |
John Coon | House of Q | Springville, Alabama | ||
Junior Urias | Up In Smoke BBQ | Midland, Texas | ||
Brisket Point, Cowboy Steaks, Beef Tenderloin | ||||
Joe Pearce | Squeal Like A Pig BBQ | Kansas City, Missouri | Advances to Final | |
Carl H. Lewis | Big Show BBQ | Fremont, North Carolina | ||
Ken Wood | Charcoal Cowboys | Franklin, Tennessee |
Season 6: Final Results (Ep. 9)
Brisket Flat, Spare Ribs, Whole Chicken, Whole Pork Shoulder One Bite Challenge: Shrimp | ||||
Robby Royal | Rescue Fire Smokers | Sycamore, Georgia | ||
Joe Pearce | Squeal Like A Pig BBQ | Kansas City, Missouri |
References
- ^ TLC BBQ Pitmasters Season 2 – Docu-Reality to Pro Competition BBQ
- ^ TLC BBQ Pitmasters Season 2 BBQ Pitmaster Judges
- ^ "Kevin Roberts Joins TLC as Host of BBQ Pitmasters". The Futon Critic. May 27, 2010. Retrieved August 8, 2010.
- ^ "Planet Green Becomes "Destination America," the First and Only Network to Celebrate the Stories of America's Past, Present, and Future". The Futon Critic. April 4, 2012. Retrieved April 4, 2012.
- ^ http://corporate.discovery.com/discovery-news/destination-america-rings-backyard-bbq-dinner-bell/
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Episodes: BBQ Pitmasters