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
Often the meats are wrapped in agave leaves and cooked in underground ovens, though some pitmasters substitute banana leaves.
—Tribune News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Jan. 2026
For a whole-hog barbecue challenge, Sam Jones of Sam Jones Barbecue in Raleigh, Lewis Donald of Sweet Lew’s BBQ in Charlotte and the Monk family of Lexington Barbecue in Lexington add expertise to the crew of pitmasters assisting the competitors.
—Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 29 Jan. 2026
The outpouring reflects the deep ties Brotherton’s has built in Central Texas since opening in 2017, as well as the legacy of its founder, John Brotherton, a respected pitmaster known for his generosity and collaborative spirit within the Texas barbecue community.
—Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 12 Jan. 2026
Before his first barbecue class with the Wounded Warrior Project, pitmaster Christopher Prieto of Prime Barbecue in Knightdale, North Carolina, hadn’t ever spoken to a wounded veteran.
—Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 10 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pitmaster
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Tribune News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Jan. 2026
For a whole-hog barbecue challenge, Sam Jones of Sam Jones Barbecue in Raleigh, Lewis Donald of Sweet Lew’s BBQ in Charlotte and the Monk family of Lexington Barbecue in Lexington add expertise to the crew of pitmasters assisting the competitors.
—Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 29 Jan. 2026
The outpouring reflects the deep ties Brotherton’s has built in Central Texas since opening in 2017, as well as the legacy of its founder, John Brotherton, a respected pitmaster known for his generosity and collaborative spirit within the Texas barbecue community.
—Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 12 Jan. 2026
Before his first barbecue class with the Wounded Warrior Project, pitmaster Christopher Prieto of Prime Barbecue in Knightdale, North Carolina, hadn’t ever spoken to a wounded veteran.
—Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 10 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pitmaster
Cite this Entry
“Pitmaster.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pitmaster. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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