The Bite Meat Podcast

John Lopez and America’s Greatest Pitmasters bring you the ultimate barbecue experience with tips, stories, and insights for everyone—from casual weekend grillers to seasoned pitmasters. Presented weekly by Texas Star Grill Shop, The Bite Meat Podcast features in-depth interviews and expert advice from the most respected figures in the barbecue world. Tune in to elevate your grilling game with the best in the business.

Episodes

Mar 19, 2025

36 min

*Four-time Canadian BBQ Team of the Year pitmaster Janice Smella became the first Canadian to walk the stage at the Cookoff in 2025.
* She shares her story, techniques and approach, her affinity to Texas BBQ and becoming a champion.

Mar 19, 2025

36 min

Mar 12, 2025

44 min


Moodswing BBQ's Sunny Moody has won world championships and wowed judges on Food Network ... without compromise.
Misconceptions about how "unhealthy" barbecue can be
Pork shoulders for dummies. 
Different steaks ... different cooking styles?
Everything you should know on spritzing, water pans, wrapping, wet brine vs. dry brine

Mar 12, 2025

44 min

Mar 5, 2025

40 min

* World champs Ronnie Killen, Doug Scheiding, Abel Nuncio and others take us behind the scenes of what the Cookoff really is all about
* The massive and unique details of making it on one of the biggest stages in the game.

Mar 5, 2025

40 min

Feb 26, 2025

53 min

* How different spices affect different proteins
* The essence of "Louisiana" barbecue
* Essentials for chicken and pork
* When and how to spritz and sauce
* Open-flame tips

Feb 26, 2025

53 min

Feb 19, 2025

47 min

* Coming up with the revered Top 50 and how he whittles it down
* All the flavors and regions and what stands out
* Oh, the stories ... from influencing the market, to quality bites around the state, the travels and dealing with bad barbecue
* Smokin' Hot Tip: Easiest meats to try for entry-level backyard pitmasters

Feb 19, 2025

47 min

Feb 13, 2025

49 min

* How much the grilling game has changed
* Best introductory pits for newbies
* Detailed insight on fitting your recipes to your palette and staying on-budget
* Taking advantage of a wide variety of flavor profiles
* Smokin' hot tip: Keeping temperature and best cooks on Weber- and barrel-type pits 

Feb 13, 2025

49 min

Feb 5, 2025

45 min

* One of the world's most influential and in-demand sausage makers, Bill Dumas, on his incredible story.
* Step-by-step keys to making the best artisanal sausage.
* From basic Texas-influenced sausages to those that have the barbecue world buzzing: Fried catfish sausage? Christmas tamale sausage? Girl Scout Cookie sausage? Yes, yes and yes.
* How backyard pitmasters can learn the craft.

Feb 5, 2025

45 min

Jan 30, 2025

52 min

* Champion pitmaster Tyler Gurney with detailed information on everything it takes to compete at one of the three biggest barbecue cookoffs in the world.
* From months of testing, to sourcing meats, preparing pits and spices, to living on one-hour of sleep and the ever-important cooking and presenting, Gurney offers unique insight.

Jan 30, 2025

52 min

Jan 22, 2025

45 min

* The Pit Room's Michael Sambrooks, Killer Hogg's Malcolm Reed, 404 Kitchen's Matt Bolus and Kamado Joe chef Eric Gephart delve into recipes, approach and the purity of field-to-table.
* The best insight you'll get on everything from duck, to venison, boar and more from those who live it.

Jan 22, 2025

45 min

Jan 15, 2025

39 min

* How Wagyu separates itself from others.
* Everything it takes to get from ranch to table.
* The passion and process it takes to deliver the highest-quality beef.
* Hurdles, pitfalls and how R-C Ranch's footprint continues to grow.
* Smokin' Hot Tip: Getting your pulled pork perfect.

Jan 15, 2025

39 min

Copyright 2024 All rights reserved.

Podcast Powered By Podbean

Version: 20241125