Pitmasters
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. Contests with fewer than 20 entries: 1st Place 300 Points
2nd Place 200 Points 3rd Place 100 Points Contests with 20-34 entries: 1st Place 400 Points 2nd Place 300 Points 3rd Place 200 Points Contests with 35 or more entries: 1st Place 500 Points
2nd Place 400 Points 3rd Place 300 Points Whole Hog Barbecue Championship: 1st Place 600 Points 2nd Place 500 Points 3rd Place 400 Points 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 jen@ncpork.org.
