Pitmasters
2024: Kevin Peterson
2023: Chris Fineran
2022: Chris Fineran
2021: Kevin Peterson
2020: Not awarded due to pandemic
2019: Chris Fineran
2018: Chris Fineran
2017: Chris Fineran
2016: Chris Fineran
2015: Charlie Meeks
How It Works
The Pitmaster of the Year title is awarded to the chief cook who accumulates the most points during the Whole Hog Barbecue season. Points are awarded to cooks for participating in and winning sanctioned N.C. Pork Council competitions. Whole hog barbecue cooks earn 100 points for every competition they participate in, and even more points for finishing in the top three. Points awarded for top finishes increase based on the size and importance of the competition. The point breakdown can be found here: Pitmaster Flier.
The chief cook with the largest number of points at the end of the year is named Pitmaster of the Year. The award is presented at the first cookoff of the following year, the Newport Pig Cookin’ Contest. If you have questions about the Pitmaster of the Year award, please email Brownie Futrell at futrellbrownie@gmail.com.
