Pitmaster Profiles

Read the stories, learn the secrets, and get inspired by the hearts and souls behind the pit.

From The Smoker

International Women’s Day with Sonny’s: Meet 4 Powerful Female Pitmasters

Strong, Powerful, Innovative. These words just begin to describe the female Pitmasters changing the barbecue game every day at Sonny’s. For International Women’s Day, we’re introducin’ you to four Pitmasters who spark inspiration for everyone around them. Patti B. Patti B. is comin’ up on 30 years of slow-smokin’ barbecue with Sonny’s. She started in […]

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Inside the Pit Academy: How a Sonny’s Pitmaster is Certified

So, you know and love BBQ. You regularly sharpen your skills and work towards masterin’ the fine art. You’re close with your community and love givin’ back. Sounds like you’re ready to be a Sonny’s Pitmaster. So how do you become one? First, it starts with joinin’ the Sonny’s family. Then, it’s time to enroll […]

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The Sonny’s Pitmaster® Recipe

At Sonny’s BBQ, you hear the word Pitmaster a lot. In fact, the next words that usually come up are “Local Pitmasters since ‘68”, and every word of that is true. A Sonny’s Pitmaster is not someone who slow-smokes BBQ and calls it a day. They treat BBQ as an art. From the different cuts […]

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Pitmaster Spotlight: Meet Tara Boyle

Where did you get your start with Sonny’s BBQ on your journey to becoming a Pitmaster? About 14 years ago, I just moved back from college in Gainesville, and I really wanted to do hair. As I went out one night with some friends, I met a girl who worked at Sonny’s. I was like, […]

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Pitmaster Spotlight: Meet Josh McCall

Josh was hired as a dishwasher at Sonny’s over 30 years ago. Now, he’s a franchisee and one of the Pitmasters behind our famous BBQ Egg Roll. Learn more about Josh’s story, the lessons learned throughout his Sonny’s journey and the parallels between a successful barbecuer and a successful fisherman. Where did you get your […]

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Meet Pitmaster Beth Kanupp

Meet Beth Kanupp, the Pitmaster behind the Real Deal Rib Sandwich. She started her BBQ journey here at Sonny’s BBQ as a 16-year-old server. With her hard work and dedication, she worked her way up to becoming a Pitmaster, and she’s been spreading the spirit of BBQ ever since. Beth is one of the kindest, welcoming women in BBQ out there. Which is […]

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