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

Muslim American pitmasters code-switch flavors and identities effortlessly in their approach, all evolving a uniquely American BBQ style. —Farhan Mustafa, Bon Appetit Magazine, 23 Sep. 2025

Join us in Birmingham for the Southern Living Food + Fire event on Saturday, September 27 to sample delicious dishes from 30 of the South’s best pitmasters and chefs. —Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 21 Sep. 2025

He’s joined by pitmaster-cooks Maricruz Sanchez (28 years), Mario Miranda (26 years) and Omar Hernandez (17 years). —Linda Zavoral, Mercury News, 15 Sep. 2025

Cooper is a world champion pitmaster and political consultant in Tallahassee, Florida, home to Florida State University and Florida A&M University. —Peter Burke, FOXNews.com, 30 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1984, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for pitmaster

• bandmaster
• broadcaster
• cadastre
• disaster
• forecaster
• headmaster
• newscaster
• paymaster
• pilaster
• postmaster
• roadmaster
• schoolmaster