Pitmaster IndexMelissa Cookston
Pitmaster & World Champion
Melissa Cookston
Memphis BBQ Co.20+ years activeHorn Lake, MS
Signature:Championship dry rub ribs with competition-precise bark and smoke ring
Melissa Cookston is one of the most decorated competition pitmasters in the world, with multiple Memphis in May World Championship titles and a reputation that extends far beyond the Mid-South. She founded Memphis BBQ Co. in Horn Lake, Mississippi to bring championship-level BBQ to everyday diners. Cookston is also a cookbook author and TV personality who has become one of the most prominent voices in American BBQ.
Technique
Ribs are dry-rubbed with a competition-tested blend and smoked over a mix of hickory and cherry wood at 235°F for 5 hours. The bark is set precisely — not too thick, not too thin — with a visible smoke ring extending half an inch into the meat.
Recognition
- Memphis in May World Championship — Multiple Grand Championships
- Barbecue Hall of Fame (American Royal, 2017)
- Author: 'Smokin' in the Boys' Room'
Influences
Memphis in May competition circuitSouthern whole-hog traditionTexas brisket technique