December 3, 2009 (2009-12-03) – July 16, 2015 (2015-07-16)
BBQ Pitmasters is an American reality television series which follows barbecue cooks as they compete for cash and prizes in barbecue cooking competitions.
The series premiered on TLC on December 3, 2009. The eight-episode first season was filmed in a docu-reality format, as it followed several competing BBQ teams around the country to various BBQ contests.
Season two premiered on August 12, 2010, at 10 pm EDT featuring a completely new competition game show-based format.[1] Each week, four teams competed against each other. Challenges included common protein and more exotic meat. Weekly winners faced off against each other in the second-season finale as they vied for $100,000 and the Kingsford Cup. The judges for the second season were Myron Mixon, Art Smith, and Warren Sapp.[2] Kevin Roberts served as host.[3]
On January 29, 2012, Myron Mixon confirmed on his Facebook account for Jack's Old South that filming for Season 3 would start in March. On April 4, 2012, it was announced that Season 3 would air on Destination America, which is a rebranded version of the Planet Green channel that launched on May 26, 2012.[4]
On May 26, 2014, Destination America debuted a preview of their new TV series named BBQ Pit Wars. The episode first aired on May 31, 2014. This new reality show uses the old docu-reality format of BBQ Pitmasters season 1 (many viewers had voiced their preference for this format on the channel's website), in which Myron Mixon is one of the team competitors rather than a BBQ judge. Along with Stump McDowell of Stump's BBQ, Moe Cason of Ponderosa BBQ, and Michael Character of Character BBQ, the four teams compete in regional BBQ championships around the nation, for prizes, and bragging rights to be named the master of BBQ.[5]
The teams travel to Mesquite, Nevada to compete at the Smokin' in Mesquite BBQ competition, which has $40,000 in cash and prizes at stake.
2
2
"Murphysboro Barbecue Cook-off"
December 10, 2009 (2009-12-10)
The teams compete at one of the most difficult competitions of the year, the Murphysboro Barbecue Cook-off, in Murphysboro, Illinois. Myron and Lee Ann face off in the whole hog competition, while tempers flare between Johnny and one of the local cooks.
3
3
"Decatur Jaycees Riverfest"
December 17, 2009 (2009-12-17)
The teams travel to Decatur, Alabama to the historic Decatur Riverfest. This is where the pitmasters' cooking skills, nerves, and patience are tested and the $3,000 top prize is at stake.
4
4
"American Royal Invitational Barbecue"
January 7, 2010 (2010-01-07)
The top teams are invited to compete at the American Royal Invitational in Kansas City, Missouri. Myron has to compete against his biggest competition on the barbecue competition circuit, Chris Lilly, and Rookie Paul begs for help from barbecue professional, Johnny Trigg.
5
5
"American Royal Open Barbecue"
January 11, 2010 (2010-01-11)
Nearly 500 professional and amateur teams battle it out at the American Royal Open in Kansas City, Missouri for over $40,000 in prizes.
6
6
"Diamond State BBQ"
January 21, 2010 (2010-01-21)
The teams travel to Dover, Delaware to compete at the Diamond State BBQ Championship, where the weather is less than ideal. Harry faces his former teammate, Gary, who is competing on his own for the first time, and Tuffy does Myron a favor that could hurt his own chances of winning.
7
7
"The Big Pig Jig"
January 28, 2010 (2010-01-28)
The teams travel to Vienna, Georgia to compete at the Big Pig Jig, the oldest barbecue event in Georgia. Myron works to defend his title on his home turf and Tuffy takes on a double challenge, attempting his first whole hog on a new pit.
8
8
"Johnny Trigg's Shootout"
February 4, 2010 (2010-02-04)
Johnny Trigg, the Godfather of Ribs, invites his closest friends and fiercest rivals to Mineral Wells, Texas for a rib throwdown and for the first time ever, the pitmasters watch the judges' reactions.
Pablo Diablo's, led by Paul Petersen, a recognized Texas chef but BBQ rookie.
Notley Que BBQ led by Gary Notley
Season 2
No. overall
1
9
"Butt Out!"
August 12, 2010 (2010-08-12)
Four top pitmasters from around the country compete head-to-head in a pork butt cook-off. However, one team is eliminated when their catfish is not up to par and the remaining three continue to vie to win $5,000 and an invitation to the season finale.
2
10
"Roasted Development"
August 19, 2010 (2010-08-19)
Four top pitmasters from around the country compete head-to-head to prove who has the best crown roast pork in the hottest challenge yet. However, with one pitmaster headed into an ambulance, the remaining three vie to win $5,000 and an invitation to the season finale.
3
11
"Up In Smoke!"
August 26, 2010 (2010-08-26)
Four top pitmasters from around the country compete head-to-head to prove who makes the best brisket. While the meat cooks low and slow, tempers flare as the teams vie to win $5,000 and an invitation to the season finale.
4
12
"Not a Moment To Spare"
September 2, 2010 (2010-09-02)
Four BBQ Pitmasters face off with a BBQ favorite - spare ribs. But first, they face a prehistoric challenge that could extinct them from the competition and their chance at $5,000 and an invitation to the finale for the $100,000 grand prize.
5
13
"Fowl Play"
September 16, 2010 (2010-09-16)
Four of America's top Pitmasters face off against the trifecta of fowl... a Turducken! There's $5000 at stake and an invitation into the finale for the largest prize in BBQ... $100,000 and the Kingsford Cup.
6
14
"Bring Home the Bacon"
September 23, 2010 (2010-09-23)
The five BBQ Pitmaster winners from this season come together to face the most difficult of BBQ challenges: the whole hog on old-fashioned cinder block pits. Only one can win the Kingsford Cup, the $100,000 prize and be named BBQ Pitmaster Grand Champion.
Season 2: Judges
Myron Mixon—season one competitor and owner of Jack's Old South
Art Smith—celebrity chef and author of Back to the Table and Kitchen Life
Warren Sapp—Super Bowl champion and barbecue enthusiast
In this season, three teams compete in each episode. The winning team will move on to the championship round, where they will compete for a $50,000 prize.
No. overall
1
15
"Try, Try, Tri-Tip Again"
May 30, 2012 (2012-05-30)
Three Pitmasters compete at the Don't Be Cruel BBQ to see who has the best beef brisket and tri-tip
This season features individual regional BBQ style competitions. Each episode crowned a regional champion of the BBQ style for that state. Three local teams compete for bragging rights, and a $2,000 prize donated by Jack's Old South. There is no overall BBQ champion at the end of season 4. The last episode has Myron Mixon competing against his son Michael.
This season the BBQ competition returns to the previous elimination format. Three teams from around the country compete in each episode, and the winning teams advance to the finale. The overall grand BBQ champion wins a $50,000 prize.
No. overall
1
28
"When Pigs Fly"
June 2, 2013 (2013-06-02)
Season 5 begins with a trip to Pensacola, Fla., for the Smokin' in the Square festival and a barbecue cook-off featuring spareribs and pork butt.
2
29
"Por-ken for Dinner"
June 16, 2013 (2013-06-16)
The competition takes place at the 12th annual Hog Wild Festival in Mobile, Ala., where three chefs cook whole chicken and whole pork shoulder.
3
30
"Everything is Beefier in Texas"
June 2, 2013 (2013-06-02)
Beef ribs and shoulder are prepared by three chefs when the competition travels to Austin.
4
31
"BBQ Border Battle"
June 23, 2013 (2013-06-23)
Non-Southerners compete.
5
32
"Race to the Finish"
June 30, 2013 (2013-06-30)
Three couples compete at Martinsville Speedway in Virginia, and the winning pair get to join Dale Earnhardt Jr. in pit row.
6
33
"Kicking it in KC"
July 7, 2013 (2013-07-07)
The 10th annual Smoke in the Spring BBQ Contest in Osage City, Kan., is featured.
7
34
"A NY State of Cue"
July 14, 2013 (2013-07-14)
The 2nd Annual NYC BBQ Cookoff in Staten Island is featured.
8
35
"Champions Q-Off"
July 21, 2013 (2013-07-21)
Previous champions return for an all-star showdown at the Barnesville BBQ and Blues Festival in Georgia.
9
36
"O-Cue-Homa"
July 28, 2013 (2013-07-28)
The competition travels to Oklahoma for the Bixby BBQ and Blues Festival.
10
37
"Virginia is for BBQ Lovers"
August 4, 2013 (2013-08-04)
The semifinals begin in Fredericksburg, Va., with returning champions David Bouska, Michael Character and Mark "Pig Daddy" Little competing.
11
38
"My Kind of Q!"
August 11, 2013 (2013-08-11)
The second round of the semifinals takes place in Westmont, Ill., and features Lynnae Oxley, Jeff Vanderlinde and Rob "Rub" Bagby competing.
12
39
"Show Me the Q"
August 18, 2013 (2013-08-18)
The last semifinal round features Stump McDowell, Robby Royal and Rod Gray.
13
40
"BBQ Dreams Come True"
August 25, 2013 (2013-08-25)
David Bouska, Rod Gray, and Lynnae Oxley compete to be grand champion.
All Season 6 episodes were filmed in a single location in Florida.
No. overall
1
41
"Sweet Georgia Ham"
April 12, 2014 (2014-04-12)
BBQ Pitmasters veterans Robby Royal and Eric Thomas face off against newcomer John Ley in this Georgia style contest to see who will move on to win a shot at becoming BBQ Pitmaster Grand Champion.
2
42
"Lone Star Smoke War"
April 19, 2014 (2014-04-19)
Texas pitmasters JD Davidsmeyer, Matt Pittman, and Junior Urias battle it out for the title of BBQ Pitmasters Texas Champion and a chance to compete for the $50,000 grand prize.
Kansas City locals Michael Johnson, Richard Fergola, and Joe Pearce step in the ring of BBQ Pitmasters for the title of BBQ Pitmasters Kansas City Champion and a shot at the $50,000 grand prize.
Tennessee cookers Ken Wood, Michael McDearman and Chris Chadwick summon that Memphis soul and go toe to toe to see who will win BBQ Pitmasters Memphis Championship and the chance to win the $50,000 grand prize.
North Carolina cookers Jonathan Upchurch, Christopher Prieto and Carl Lewis must fan their flames and get things cooking to get a shot at competing for $50,000 and the title of BBQ Pitmasters Grand Champion.
Among Louisianan Jeff Petkevicius, New Yorker Howard Daley and Alabamian Jeff Coon, which wild card competitor will emerge victorious and keep their barbecue dream alive?
Among Georgia Champion Robby Royal of Rescue Smokers, Texas Champion Junior Urias of Up in Smoke and Wild Card Champion John Coon of House of Q, who will emerge victorious to continue on to win the title of BBQ Pitmasters Grand Champion?
Regional Champions Joe Pearce, Ken Wood and Carl Lewis are grilling to stay alive in this thrilling BBQ Pitmasters Semi Final round. They all know that only one will survive and have a chance to be crowned Kingsford BBQ Pitmasters Grand Champion.
Semi Final Champions Robby Royal of Rescue Smokers and Joe Pearce of Squeal Like A Pig BBQ go head to head in the Finale to decide once and for all who is the Kingsford BBQ Pitmasters Grand Champion and winner of the $50,000 grand prize.
