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
There’s no need for pitmasters to grind and smoke their own brisket hot dogs or slow roast marrow bones for dipping jus.
—Robert F. Moss, Southern Living, 17 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
Creamy mac and cheese, red potato salad, and brisket Brunswick stew are among the side options (along with pitmaster Shane Kirkland’s grandmother’s collard greens).
—Carrie Honaker, Travel + Leisure, 15 Aug. 2025
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Robert F. Moss, Southern Living, 17 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
Creamy mac and cheese, red potato salad, and brisket Brunswick stew are among the side options (along with pitmaster Shane Kirkland’s grandmother’s collard greens).
—Carrie Honaker, Travel + Leisure, 15 Aug. 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 19 Sep. 2025.
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