You Need to Know These Incredible Women in Barbecue (Part 2)
In last week’s issue, we told you about you need to know in honor of Women’s History Month. But as you can imagine, there are still quite a few we didn’t get the chance to highlight, so we’re spending another week with women that have trailblazed as pitmasters, owners, competitors, and influencers all over the country.
Here are 12 more important women in the barbecue world you should get to know.
Debbie Bridges Webb - Red Bridges Barbecue Lodge
Debbie Bridges Webb owns and operates Shelby, North Carolina’s Red Bridges Barbecue Lodge. Her parents Red and Lyttle Bridges started the restaurant more than 70 years ago. Today, they still slow cook pork over hickory all night long and the menu remains the same. Debbie runs the restaurant with her children Natalie and Chase.
Kim Dunn - Pit Stop Bar-B-Q
Kim Dunn retired in 2006 after a life of working in food service, including for several Colter’s BBQ locations in Texas. But, as she describes it, she “got bored” so she opened a new barbecue restaurant. She now has a one-woman operation in Temple, Texas called Pit Stop Bar-B-Q, which features Texas, Korean, and Cajun food items including brisket, galbi beef ribs, bulgogi, kimchi, jambalaya, and dumplings. Eater Austin recently listed Pit Stop Bar-B-Q alongside heavyweights like Snow’s BBQ and Louie Mueller Barbecue on its list of 15 restaurants worth the drive from Austin.
Laura Loomis - Two Bros. BBQ Market
Laura Loomis was working as a cashier at Two Bros BBQ Market in San Antonio when a pit hand quit. She stepped in to lend a hand and fell in love, soon working full time in the pit house. Loomis threw herself into her work. After the pitmaster position opened up, she was invited to take over, becoming one of the youngest pitmasters in Texas at the age of 28.
LeAnn Mueller and Alison Clem - La Barbecue
LeAnn Mueller comes from “barbecue royalty” but never wanted to open a barbecue restaurant. For years, she has been a successful photographer, shooting for magazines like Rolling Stone, Texas Monthly, and Vibe. But family inadvertently brought her back to barbecue and now she and her wife Alison Clem are known as two of the top barbecue owners in the country due to their phenomenal success at La Barbecue in Austin, Texas. The restaurant attracts enormous lines and was included on the Texas Monthly’s famous Top 50 list.
Lee Ann Whippen - Deviled Pig Restaurant
As the founder of Wood Chick’s BBQ in Virginia, Lee Ann Whippen was thrust into the national spotlight as a competitor on the show BBQ Pitmasters. She was first runner up in barbecue at the World Food Championships in Las Vegas and bested chef Bobby Flay with her pork shoulder on the Food Network show Throwdown with Bobby Flay. She was a partner in several Chicago-area restaurants, including Chicago Q. Whippen recently opened the barbecue restaurant Deviled Pig in Tampa, Florida with Jennifer Daskevich.
Leslie Roark Scott - Ubons BBQ
Leslie Roark Scott’s father, the legendary Garry Roark, began entering barbecue competitions in the mid-1980s as a way to spread the word about the family’s barbecue sauce. Leslie enjoyed seeing her dad’s passion grow and got into barbecue as a way to spend time more time with him. In 1992, she became the first woman to win a grand championship on the Memphis barbecue circuit. In 2003, they opened Ubons Barbeque restaurant in Yazoo City, Mississippi, but Garry and Leslie were also frequent participants in barbecue competitions and festivals across the country. After Garry’s passing last year, Leslie has carried on the tradition of the family’s unique brand of barbecue along with her teenage son Jacob and the Ubon’s team.
Megan Day - Burnt Finger BBQ
After the Burnt Finger BBQ competition team was catapulted into the spotlight when a recipe called the “Bacon Explosion” went viral in 2009, Megan Day quit her corporate job to focus on barbecue. After racking up multiple wins on the competition scene, Megan was invited to become a participant on the Food Network's Chopped Grill Masters, where she made it to the finale. She is busier than ever with competitions and can be seen sharing recipes on the Today show, selling Burnt Finger BBQ on the Home Shopping Network, and competing in the American Royal in the documentary Smoke and Ribbons.
Melissa Cookston - Memphis Barbecue Company
For years, Melissa Cookston has been one of the most prominent women in the barbecue world and is often cited as the “winningest woman in barbecue” due to her winning top honors at Memphis in May and other major competitions. Cookston has regularly appeared on television shows including BBQ Pitmasters, Chopped, CBS This Morning, and The Kitchen. She has authored two popular books, Smokin' in the Boys' Room and Smokin’ Hot in the South. You can try her food at Memphis Barbecue Company in Horn Lake, Mississippi or Dunwoody, Georgia.
Robyn Lindars - Grill Girl Robyn
Robyn Lindars is the “Grill Girl” behind GrillGirl.com. Robyn focuses her efforts on making healthy and creative recipes on the grill. She hosts quarterly “Women’s Grilling Clinics” to help women learn more about grilling techniques. She’s also a trained Florida BBQ Association judge and has competed on the “Porkville Justice League” team alongside her father at Memphis in May.
Tiffani Faison - Sweet Cheeks Q
Tiffani is the executive chef and owner of Sweet Cheeks Q in Boston. On top of that popular barbecue joint, she also has opened well-regarded restaurants Tiger Mama and Fool’s Errand. In 2018 and 2019, the James Beard Foundation nominated Faison in the category of “Best Chef: Northeast.” She has been a judge on the Food Network’s Chopped and Chopped Grill Masters, and she’s competed on Top Chef All-Stars. She lives with her wife and business partner Kelly Walsh and is an advocate for LGBT rights.
Tootsie Tomanetz - Snow’s BBQ
Tootsie Tomanetz, the 84-year-old pitmaster at Snow’s BBQ in Lexington, Texas, is one of the best-known women in barbecue because she’s so darn impressive. She works 30 hours a week for a nearby school district’s maintenance department during the week and then comes to work every Saturday at 2 a.m. to get delicious pork, brisket, and more ready for Snow’s 8 a.m. open. Tootsie and her co-workers are behind the top rated BBQ joint in Texas, according to Texas Monthly. Tootsie was rightly (perhaps belatedly) inducted into the Barbecue Hall of Fame in 2018.
We know there are other important women we may have missed on our list. If you think there are additional women in the industry that deserve to be recognized, please let us know so we can be sure to include them the next time we make this list!
ONE LAST THING: We are giving away a copy of the book Hardcore Carnivore (by Jess Pryles, who made last week’s list) to one lucky follower. To enter the contest, you must be subscribed to The Smoke Sheet and then follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. The more places you follow, the more chances you’ll have to win. We'll be announcing the winner next week!
Sean Ludwig (NYC BBQ) and Ryan Cooper (BBQ Tourist)
Co-Founders, The Smoke Sheet
Here are the top recent barbecue news stories from around the country:
Beautiful platters from Charlotte’s Jon G’s Barbecue. (Photo by the Barbecue Bros.)
The Barbecue Bros recently sat down with Garren Kirkman of Charlotte’s Jon G’s Barbecue, who will be devoting more of his time to the barbecue business starting this month.
After a brief closure last month, Chicago’s Lillie’s Q has recently re-opened with a new look and a faster, more casual way to visit. The restaurant will offer a walk-up counter, cooking classes, and the menu will now include brisket daily.
North Carolina’s King’s BBQ Restaurant keeps customers coming back again and again with the Pig in a Puppy, a one-of-a-kind sandwich made up of delicious pulled pork and coleslaw served in a hushpuppy bun.
Men’s Health recently shared 20 delicious low-carb recipes that are perfect for both keto dieters and barbecue lovers.
Chris Fults and Alex Graf of ZZQ Texas Craft Barbeque are changing the landscape of barbecue in Richmond, Virginia and beyond.
For her last assignment before stepping down as Food Editor for the Charlotte Observer, Kathleen Purvis examined two Charlotte restaurants serving fried skins. In her assessment, the pork skins at Sweet Lew’s BBQ and the chicken skins at Loft & Cellar are some of the city’s best bites.
Eva Moore of the Free Times gives her take on the best barbecue bites in the midlands of South Carolina and surrounding areas, including a mix of classic joints and trendy new establishments.
Former barbecue food truck Longleaf Swine was announced as the latest food vendor to be added to Raleigh, North Carolina’s Transfer Co. Food Hall, located at 500 East Davie Street.
Operation BBQ Relief has been serving barbecue to victims of natural disasters since 2011. The Kansas City Star profiled OBR recently, showing off the work they’ve done helping so many people in need with the power of barbecue.
Daniel Vaughn of Texas Monthly writes that leaving Austin was a good move for Louie’s BBQ. In its new home in Buda, it has become more successful and its food has improved.
Juicy Lucy BBQ, a new barbecue joint in Staten Island, New York, has hired a pitmaster from Austin’s Franklin Barbecue and plans to open its doors in mid-April.
Heinz is continuing its (questionable?) foray into new mayonnaise-based sauces with the release of two new condiments, Mayocue (mayo and barbecue sauce) and Mayomust (mayo and mustard).
Denver’s Westword has rounded up its list of the 10 best barbecue joints in Denver, including Boney’s Smokehouse, Roaming Buffalo, and Smokin’ Yards.
Here are BBQ shows, podcasts, or books you should check out this week:
Watch: Buying A Smoker: A Smoker Buying Guide - by Malcom Reed
In this short video, pitmaster Malcom Reed of How to BBQ Right discusses things to consider when buying a smoker. Reed starts by discussing the various price ranges of smokers and considerations at each price point. He provides his thoughts on determining how the pit will be used and taking into account how much capacity you will typically need. Finally, he also suggests thinking about your personal style of smoking and personal preferences when purchasing a smoker. Watch it here.
Listen: Barbecue Wife Catherine Stiles - Best Barbecue Show
On this episode of the Best Barbecue Show, Yoni Levin talks to Catherine Stiles from Stiles Switch BBQ, The Switch BBQ, and Barbecue Wife, her own successful brand of Margarita and Bloody Mary craft cocktail mixes. Stiles talks about being a mother while running restaurants, being her own brand ambassador, and much more. Enjoy this conversation with Catherine and learn all about how she is part of the amazing barbecue family. Listen to it here.
Read: Southern Smoke: Barbecue, Traditions, and Treasured Recipes Reimagined for Today - by Matthew Register
Informed by the history of classic southern recipes, Southern Smoke is an intriguing dive into the barbecue of North Carolina, the Lowcountry, Memphis, and the Delta, with must-try meats, sides, and desserts. For years, Matthew Register, the owner and pitmaster of Southern Smoke Barbecue, has been obsessed with the history of southern recipes. Armed with a massive collection of cookbooks from the 1900s and overflowing boxes of recipe cards from his grandmother, he hits the kitchen. Southern Smoke will be released on May 7, 2019. Pre-order it here.
March 15: Big 12 Big Q - Kansas City, Missouri
This weekend, the Big 12 Big Q pits top pitmasters from around the country in the ultimate barbecue showdown. Set against the backdrop of the Big 12 Championship at the Sprint Center, each pitmaster will represent a school during the duration of the Big 12 Big Q. Featuring quick-bite challenges, demos, a rib-eating competition, and a world-class BBQ competition, the Big 12 Big Q is the ultimate grill-off during the 2019 Big 12 Men’s Basketball Championship. More info here.
March 16: Taste of Yountville - Napa Valley, California
Taste of Yountville features one day of great food, wine, and music held in the heart of Yountville featuring world-class chefs, wineries, and international musicians. Tasting pavilions in downtown Yountville will feature top restaurants sampling signature dishes, chef demonstrations featuring local and celebrity chefs along with artists, mixologists, craft beers, and more. Participants include Sticky Business BBQ and chef Matt Eads, professional grilling instructor and founder of grillseeker.com. More info here.
March 18-19: Business of Barbecue at 17th Street BBQ - Murphysboro, Illinois
Business of Barbecue is a two-day seminar that combines cooking barbecue for a restaurant or catering operation with classroom seminars discussing branding, marketing, PR, vending, and restaurant financials. Participants will prep and cook ribs, chicken, brisket, and pork with an emphasis on holding and re-therming techniques. This class is filled with information that will benefit anyone from a novice to an experienced operator. More info here.
March 29-30: Hogs for the Cause - New Orleans, Louisiana
Hogs for the Cause returns as the largest, tastiest BBQ festival in New Orleans. The city welcomes 85 local and regional BBQ masters and the best backyard chefs to compete in seven categories: Whole Hog, Ribs, Pork Butt/Shoulder, Porkpourri, Sauce, Fan Favorite, and Fundraising Champion. The barbecue festival is a two-day event full of music, local beer, and fundraising. More info here.
April 3-6: National Barbecue & Grilling Association Annual Conference - Kansas City, Missouri
The National Barbecue & Grilling Association (NBBQA) Annual Conference will be held at the Kansas City Marriott Downtown. Whether you are a product owner, run a restaurant, sell, buy or simply enjoy BBQ, there are boundless opportunities to network, learn, and grow at the conference. Events include bus tours, education sessions, and the BBQ bash, with presentations, demonstrations, and cookoffs. More info here.
April 10: Brisket King NYC - Brooklyn, New York
Brisket King, one of NYC’s top barbecue events, will be returning to Brooklyn on April 10. Hosted at Biba of Williamsburg, the all-inclusive event will feature 20 chefs and pitmasters serving brisket creations and much more. It will also feature a wide selection of beer, cider, wine, and spirits to enjoy. Early bird ticket sales end on March 15. More info here.
April 14: Jeff Michner BBQ Benefit - Brooklyn, New York
Pig Beach in Brooklyn will be hosting this fundraiser to raise money for Jeff Michner’s family following his sudden and unexpected death last year. The event will have an all-star lineup of pitmasters and chefs from all over the country, including Billy Durney of Hometown Bar-B-Que, Carey Bringle of Peg Leg Porker, Chris Lilly of Big Bob Gibson BBQ, Craig Verhage and Leslie Roark Scott of Ubons BBQ, John Wheeler of Memphis Barbecue Co, and Mike and Amy Mills of 17th Street Barbecue. More info here.
April 14: Houston BBQ Festival - Humble, Texas
The 7th Annual Houston BBQ Festival will take place on Sunday, April 14th from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Humble Civic Center Arena Complex. The festival will feature Houston’s best barbecue joints all in one place, including Corkscrew BBQ, Feges BBQ, Killen's Barbecue, Pinkerton's Barbecue, Roegels Barbecue Co., Tejas Chocolate & Barbecue, Victorian's Barbecue, and more. Read Scott Sandlin's full preview here. Tickets include entry into the event and unlimited samples from each participating barbecue joint. More info here.
April 20: 11th Annual North Carolina 'Cuegrass Festival - Raleigh, North Carolina
Raleigh's original bluegrass festival returns to the warehouse district of downtown Raleigh on April 20, with a jam-packed day full of great 'cue, local brews, and toe-tappin' bluegrass music. Proceeds will go to SAFEchild, Junior League of Raleigh's BackPack Buddies, and Raleigh Cub Scout Troop 325. More info here.
April 26-28: Austin Food and Wine Festival - Austin, Texas
The Austin Food + Wine Festival returns in April to spoil your palate with a handful of global and nationally renowned talent. This 3-day weekend in the culinary capital is the epitome of high spirits, with a packed schedule of hands-on grilling demos, up-close tastings with top chefs and sommeliers, and more interactive demos and panels. More info here.
May 4: Red Dirt BBQ Festival - Tyler, Texas
For five years, the Red Dirt BBQ & Music Festival has been one of the most unique food and music experiences in Texas. The sixth annual event returns to the brick streets of downtown Tyler, Texas. Tickets are sold out at present. More info here.
Kansas City Style BBQ Brisket Burnt Ends
For this Recipe of the Week, we chose a BBQ Brisket Burnt Ends recipe from Susie Bulloch of Hey Grill Hey, which was inspired by some of Kansas City’s biggest barbecue joints. She slow smokes brisket cubes and then braises them in sweet and tangy barbecue sauce. At the end of the cooking process, you are left with little nuggets of tender beef with some of that signature smoky bark in every bite. View the recipe here.
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