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 Charlotte, North Carolina before findin’ her way back to Florida after college. Not only a Pitmaster, but Patti has also worked her way up to becomin’ an Area Director for several Sonny’s in Jacksonville and southern Georgia. She says while there are more women at Sonny’s than when she first started, she’d love to see more. “You can be a wife, you can be a mother and be able to balance it all and do it well,” says Patti. “I try to tell people you can have a career.”
“You can be a wife; you can be a mother and be able to balance it all and do it well. I try to tell people you can have a career.”
– Patti B. | Pitmaster, Area Director
Patti says she’s always focused on leadership and seeks out opportunities to introduce anyone who shows passion for it. To put it simply, she says, when your team knows you care, you’ll retain them.
Ladrika W.
Ladrika started with Sonny’s as a server and worked her way up to becoming a Pitmaster. She may have recently earned her certification, but she’s no stranger to the craft. Just days after earnin’ that title, she flew back home to New York and roasted a whole hog with her family. They even gave her a plaque that says the “Family’s Pitmaster”.
“I started as a server to now being an Assistant Manager and a Pitmaster.”
– Ladrika W. | Pitmaster, Marietta GA
Just a few months ago, she got her name placed on the front of her Sonny’s in Marietta, proving her Pitmaster status. “It was a great ending to an amazing year,” says Ladrika. “Going from where I started as a server to now being an Assistant Manager and now a Pitmaster.” She says her Sonny’s family is like another home.
Michelle S.
Michelle is celebrating four years at Sonny’s in March 2024. She’s the General Manager of the Sonny’s in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, that’s set to open within the year. For Michelle, it’s been 20 years since her last venture in the restaurant industry, but she says she was ready to jump back in.
“It is fun to sit back and have the younger adults and teenagers that you’re able to mentor and train.”
– Michelle S. | Pitmaster, Orlando FL
Michelle loves how Sonny’s gets out into the community and thinks it’s very inspiring for women at her restaurant. “It is fun to sit back and have the younger adults and teenagers that you’re able to mentor and train,” says Michelle, “Along with all of the things Sonny’s does in the community, it’s very empowering.” Michelle is also a member of our Kindness Crew, where she regularly gets out and gives back to her local community. Recently, she joined Chief Kindness Officer Tara Boyle to surprise students during Random Acts of Kindness Week.
Karla H.
Karla comes from a long background in the restaurant industry, from catering to fine dining, she’s done it all. She says she came to Sonny’s looking for something where people have a strong passion for what they do. Karla says women bring a new perspective to barbecue and prospective Pitmasters shouldn’t be afraid to jump in. “I would say to other women: don’t be scared. Before Sonny’s, I hadn’t touched a smoker,” says Karla. “I had done all kinds of other things except barbecue, but I just fell in love with it.”
“I would say to other women: don’t be scared. Before Sonny’s, I hadn’t touched a smoker.”
– Karla H.| Pitmaster, Perry, GA
Her influence doesn’t stop at the restaurant. With Sonny’s, she also hosts work-study programs with local schools to teach young men and women the craft of smokin’ meat.
Brittney L.
Brittney has been with Sonny’s for two years in Ocoee, Florida. She admittedly did not know a lot about barbecue, but she’s been more than excited to start this new venture. She says barbecue can be a male-focused industry, so being a female Pitmaster is empowering. “I think it’s inspiring to have a woman leading the team,” says Brittney. “In the future, if they want to be smoking the meat, they know they can do it.”
“I think it’s inspiring to have a woman leading the team.”
– Brittney L. | Pitmaster, Ocoee, FL
Join the Sonny’s Family
Our family of female Pitmasters is always growing, well past International Women’s Day. This is just a small sample of our network of strong and innovative women leading the charge at Sonny’s. Lookin’ to make a difference or want to master the art of barbecue? Join our team today, and we’ll see you when you’re a Certified Sonny’s Pitmaster.
