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
From championship pitmaster Carey Bringle, who lost his leg to cancer at 17 and became the first BBQ pitmaster to launch a bourbon.
—
Chris Perugini,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2026
James Beard–winning pitmasters are few and far between, but Rodney Scott is one of them.
—
Alaina Chou,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
23 June 2026
But when owner and pitmaster Leonard Botello IV put down roots in the historic Heights area of town in 2019, the city embraced it wholeheartedly.
—
Melissa Liebling-Goldberg,
PEOPLE,
3 June 2026
Texas Monthly and other publications have long employed dedicated barbecue writers who document pitmasters, smokehouses and regional traditions with the same seriousness often given to fine dining.
—
Rebecca Morin,
USA Today,
29 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for pitmaster
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Chris Perugini,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2026
James Beard–winning pitmasters are few and far between, but Rodney Scott is one of them.
—
Alaina Chou,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
23 June 2026
But when owner and pitmaster Leonard Botello IV put down roots in the historic Heights area of town in 2019, the city embraced it wholeheartedly.
—
Melissa Liebling-Goldberg,
PEOPLE,
3 June 2026
Texas Monthly and other publications have long employed dedicated barbecue writers who document pitmasters, smokehouses and regional traditions with the same seriousness often given to fine dining.
—
Rebecca Morin,
USA Today,
29 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for pitmaster
Cite this Entry
“Pitmaster.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pitmaster. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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