Zagat: 12 Pitmasters You Need to Know Around the U.S.
We are truly honored to be listed by Zagat among so many greats.
“Pitmaster Garry Roark grew up on BBQ. His father, Ubon Roark, used to make batches of his famous sauce and stone pit–smoked chicken for special occasions. As the scent of smoke wafted through town, neighbors would walk over with empty jugs to buy Ubon’s sauce, an old-school family recipe that now spans at least five generations. In 1989, Garry expanded the family tradition, making his foray into competitive barbecue. A couple years later, his daughter, Leslie, officially joined the Ubon’s BBQ cook team, eventually becoming the first woman to win a Grand Championship on the Memphis in May BBQ circuit. Together, the father-daughter-duo opened Ubon’s Restaurant in their hometown of Yazoo City, Mississippi, where they churn out Mississippi-style pulled pork (as well as brisket, chicken and sausage) coated in Ubon’s beloved sauce.”
Others included:
Elliott Moss, Buxton Hall Barbecue, Asheville, North Carolina
Aaron Franklin, Franklin Barbecue, Austin, Texas
Ed Mitchell, Ed Mitchell’s Q on Wheels, Raleigh, North Carolina
Elizabeth Karmel, Carolina ‘Cue to Go, North Carolina
Pat Martin, Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint, Nashville, Tennessee
Chris Lilly, Big Bob Gibson, Decatur, Alabama
Rodney Scott, Rodney Scott’s BBQ, Charleston, South Carolina
Jeff and Joy Stehney, Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que, Kansas City, Kansas
Tootsie Tomanetz, Snow’s BBQ, Lexington, Texas