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

He was one of Houston's most celebrated pitmasters and helped to kick off the barbecue renaissance here.

—J. C. Reid

Robert 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

Examples of pitmaster in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Kamado Joe View 8 Images Kamado Joe's new grill is designed for pitmasters who need plenty of room to cook up a feast, and also appreciate the convenience of high-tech features in their barbecue gear. —New Atlas, 4 Feb. 2025

There’s excitement as people sit on coolers and discuss the 26-year-old pitmaster who’s turned the barbecue world upside down. —Elazar Sontag, Bon Appétit, 9 Sep. 2024

This collection brings together a pitmaster’s chili recipe, two classic game day dips, and a delicious corn and avocado salad. —Nick Siano, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Jan. 2025

This recipe was a pitmaster’s entry into a chili cookoff featuring professionals from around Charlotte, North Carolina, so it’s bound to be worth seconds. —Nick Siano, Miami Herald, 27 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

pit entry 1 (in barbecue pit) + master entry 1

First Known Use

1984, in the meaning defined above