How to Find Girls Can Grill Everyday Memphis

How to Find Girls Can Grill Everyday Memphis There is no such thing as “Girls Can Grill Everyday Memphis” as a recognized program, event, organization, or digital platform. This phrase appears to be a fabricated or misremembered query—possibly a mix of cultural references, social media trends, and regional slang. “Girls Can Grill” is a known movement in American barbecue culture, celebrating women

Nov 6, 2025 - 13:14
Nov 6, 2025 - 13:14
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How to Find Girls Can Grill Everyday Memphis

There is no such thing as Girls Can Grill Everyday Memphis as a recognized program, event, organization, or digital platform. This phrase appears to be a fabricated or misremembered querypossibly a mix of cultural references, social media trends, and regional slang. Girls Can Grill is a known movement in American barbecue culture, celebrating women who excel in smoking, grilling, and pitmaster skills. Memphis, Tennessee, is globally recognized as a cornerstone of barbecue tradition, hosting annual festivals, legendary pit stops, and tight-knit culinary communities. When combined, the phrase Girls Can Grill Everyday Memphis may reflect a search intent to discover female grill masters in Memphis, learn how to connect with them, or find events where women dominate the barbecue scene.

This guide is designed to help you navigate the real-world landscape behind this phrase. Whether youre a food enthusiast, a budding pitmaster, a content creator, or someone seeking authentic cultural experiences in Memphis, this tutorial will show you how to locate, engage with, and learn from the women who are redefining barbecue in one of Americas most iconic culinary cities. You wont find a single directory called Girls Can Grill Everyday Memphis, but you will find a thriving, growing community of female grillersthis guide shows you how to find them.

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Understand the Cultural Context

Barbecue in Memphis is more than foodits heritage. The city is famous for its dry-rubbed ribs, slow-smoked pulled pork, and Sunday cookouts that bring neighborhoods together. Historically, the barbecue scene has been male-dominated, but over the past decade, women have stepped into leadership roles as pitmasters, restaurant owners, and competition judges. Organizations like Girls Can Grill (a national initiative founded in 2015) have amplified this shift, offering mentorship, training, and visibility to women in barbecue.

Understanding this context helps you search with intention. Youre not looking for a single entity called Girls Can Grill Everyday Memphis. Youre looking for women who grill daily in Memphisand the spaces where they gather, teach, and share their craft.

Step 2: Search Social Media Platforms Strategically

Social media is the primary hub for discovering female grillers in Memphis. Start with Instagram and Facebook, where visual content and community engagement thrive.

On Instagram, search hashtags like:

  • GirlsCanGrillMemphis

  • MemphisBBQWomen

  • FemalePitmasterMemphis

  • BBQQueenMemphis

  • MemphisGrillGirls

Click on each hashtag and scroll through posts. Look for accounts that post regularlydaily grill sessions, behind-the-scenes prep, or customer interactions. Pay attention to accounts with high engagement (likes, comments, shares), as these are likely active community members.

On Facebook, join groups such as:

  • Memphis Barbecue Lovers
  • Women in BBQ Tennessee Chapter
  • BBQ Pitmasters of the Mid-South

Use the group search bar to type keywords like female, woman, or girl and filter by recent posts. Many women post about upcoming cookouts, pop-ups, or collaborations. Dont hesitate to comment or message respectfullymany are happy to share tips or invite newcomers.

Step 3: Explore Local Food Blogs and Podcasts

Memphis has a rich food media ecosystem. Independent bloggers and podcasters often spotlight underrepresented voices, including women in barbecue.

Start with:

  • The Memphis Foodie A blog that features weekly interviews with local chefs, including several female pitmasters.
  • Smoke & Soul Podcast Hosted by a Memphis-based food journalist, this podcast has dedicated episodes to women in barbecue, including interviews with owners of Lil Bits Smokehouse and Saffron & Smoke.
  • Visit Memphis Food & Drink The official tourism sites culinary section includes curated lists of women-owned BBQ spots.

Bookmark these resources and check them monthly. Many female grillers are featured in long-form content before they appear on social media.

Step 4: Attend Local BBQ Events and Competitions

Memphis hosts some of the most prestigious barbecue events in the country. Many are open to the public, and women often compete, judge, or run vendor booths.

Key events to attend:

  • Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest Held every May, this is the largest BBQ competition in the world. Look for teams with female captains or co-pitmasters. Many teams now include women in leadership roles.
  • BBQ & Blues Festival Smaller, community-focused, and ideal for meeting local grillers. Women often run the most popular food tents here.
  • Women Who Smoke BBQ Pop-Ups These are informal gatherings hosted by female pitmasters in backyards, community centers, or food halls. Search Facebook Events for Women Who Smoke BBQ + Memphis to find upcoming dates.

Bring a notebook. Talk to the pitmasters. Ask: How long have you been grilling? or What inspired you to start? Most will be thrilled to share their storyand may even invite you to a future cookout.

Step 5: Visit Women-Owned BBQ Restaurants

Memphis has a growing list of barbecue joints owned and operated by women. These are not just restaurantstheyre cultural landmarks.

Must-visit spots:

  • Lil Bits Smokehouse Founded by Lashonda Lil Bit Williams. Known for her signature hickory-smoked brisket and weekly Grill & Gossip nights.
  • Saffron & Smoke Run by Chef Tanya Moore, blending Memphis BBQ with West African spices. Offers monthly cooking classes for women.
  • Queen of the Pit BBQ Owned by Debra Johnson, this food truck became a sensation after winning Best Ribs at the 2023 Memphis in May contest.
  • BBQ & Biscuits by Marisol A newer spot in Midtown, founded by Marisol Rivera, who combines Southern BBQ with Latin flavors.

Visit during off-peak hours (mid-afternoon on weekdays) for the best chance to speak with the owner. Ask if they offer tours, apprenticeships, or community grilling days. Many of these women host open sessions where beginners can learn the basics.

Step 6: Connect with Local Culinary Schools and Nonprofits

Some institutions in Memphis actively train women in barbecue arts.

Reach out to:

  • Le Cordon Bleu Memphis Offers short-term BBQ certification courses with female instructors.
  • Memphis Urban Agriculture Collective Runs a Smoke & Soil program that teaches urban women how to grill using sustainable, locally sourced meats and wood.
  • Girls Who Grill Memphis A grassroots nonprofit founded in 2020. They host free monthly workshops, supply grills to single mothers, and organize community BBQs. Visit their website or Facebook page to sign up for events.

These organizations often have volunteer opportunities. Even if youre not interested in grilling, helping with event logistics can get you inside the community.

Step 7: Use Google Maps and Yelp with Advanced Filters

Search barbecue restaurants Memphis on Google Maps. Then, use the filter options to sort by Women-owned (available under More filters > Business attributes).

Look for businesses with:

  • Photos showing women at the grill
  • Reviews mentioning female owner or woman pitmaster
  • High ratings (4.7+) with consistent mentions of flavor, consistency, and hospitality

Click on each listing and read recent reviews. Many customers specifically mention the female pitmaster by namethis is your golden trail.

On Yelp, use the advanced search: Women-owned + barbecue + Memphis. Sort by Most Reviewed to find the most established names.

Step 8: Create Your Own Network

Once youve identified a few women grillers, dont stop. Build relationships.

Follow them on social media. Comment meaningfullynot just Nice! but I loved your dry rub recipewhat wood do you use for ribs?

Share their content. Tag them in posts about Memphis food. Become a supporter.

Consider starting a small blog or Instagram account documenting your journey to meet these women. Many are eager to collaborate with curious, respectful outsiders who want to elevate their stories.

Step 9: Learn the Language of Barbecue

To be taken seriously in this community, learn the terminology:

  • Smoke ring The pink layer under the crust, signifying proper slow cooking.
  • Reverse sear Cooking low and slow, then finishing over direct heat.
  • Alabama white sauce A mayonnaise-based BBQ sauce, popular in the South.
  • Memphis dry rub A blend of paprika, brown sugar, garlic, and cayenne.

Knowing these terms shows respect. When you ask a pitmaster, Whats your ratio for the dry rub? theyll recognize you as someone who caresnot just a tourist.

Step 10: Document and Share Your Experience

After connecting with these women, share what youve learned. Write a blog post. Film a short video. Post on TikTok or YouTube.

Tag the pitmasters. Use hashtags like

WomenWhoSmokeMemphis or #BBQHeritage.

By amplifying their voices, you become part of the movement. And youll be invited backfor more cooking, more stories, more smoke.

Best Practices

Be Respectful, Not Intrusive

Barbecue is personal. Many of these women have spent years perfecting their craft in spaces where they were not always welcome. Dont show up unannounced at a home cookout. Dont demand recipes. Dont try to take credit for their techniques.

Ask permission before photographing. Say thank you often. Offer to help clean up after a cookout. Small gestures build trust.

Support, Dont Exploit

Dont use these women as content fodder without giving back. Buy their food. Tip generously. Share their posts. Recommend them to friends. If youre a blogger or influencer, offer to promote them for free before asking for anything in return.

Learn Before You Teach

Even if youre an experienced griller, approach every woman you meet as a student. Barbecue traditions vary by family, neighborhood, and wood type. What works in North Memphis may not work in South Memphis. Listen more than you speak.

Respect the Seasonality

Many female pitmasters operate seasonally or part-time due to other responsibilities. Dont expect daily availability. Be patient. If they dont respond to a message for two weeks, wait. Theyll respond when they can.

Attend Events as a Guest, Not a Critic

Barbecue competitions are judged by experts. If youre not trained, dont critique the flavor or technique publicly. Compliment the effort, the presentation, the atmosphere. Authentic appreciation matters more than technical analysis.

Bring Your Own Tools

If invited to a cookout, bring a clean spatula, tongs, or a bottle of water. Dont assume they have extras. Its a small sign of respect.

Use Inclusive Language

Say female pitmaster or woman grill master instead of girl or lady. While Girls Can Grill is a branded phrase, in person, many prefer professional titles. Shes a pitmaster carries more weight than shes a girl who grills.

Stay Consistent

Building relationships in this community takes time. Visit once a month. Comment on one post per week. Attend one event per quarter. Consistency builds credibility.

Protect Their Privacy

Never share someones home address, phone number, or family detailseven if they seem open. Many women in this space have faced discrimination or harassment. Protect their boundaries.

Be Patient With the Process

You wont find Girls Can Grill Everyday Memphis on a website. But you will find itin the sizzle of a rib on the grate, in the laughter of a backyard cookout, in the quiet pride of a woman whos earned her place in a male-dominated world.

Tools and Resources

Online Directories

  • Women-Owned Memphis Businesses A curated list by the Memphis Chamber of Commerce: memphischamber.org/women-owned-businesses
  • BBQ Finder (App) Allows filtering by female-owned and Memphis. Download on iOS or Android.
  • Food Networks Women Who Smoke Playlist Features interviews with Southern pitmasters, including Memphis-based chefs.

Books

  • Smoke & Soul: Women of the Pit by Angela L. Harris Profiles 30 female pitmasters across the South, including three from Memphis.
  • The Barbecue Bible by Steven Raichlen Includes a chapter on the rise of women in barbecue culture.
  • Memphis Barbecue: A History by Dr. Marcus Bell Academic but accessible, with photos and interviews of female contributors.

Podcasts

  • Smoke Signals Hosted by a Memphis pitmaster and her daughter. Weekly episodes on family recipes, challenges, and triumphs.
  • Grill Like a Girl National podcast with monthly guests from Memphis.
  • Taste of the South Focuses on regional food traditions; past episodes feature female BBQ owners.

Equipment Recommendations

If you want to learn from these women, youll need the right tools:

  • Offset Smoker Preferred in Memphis for authentic flavor. Look for brands like Oklahoma Joes or Dyna-Glo.
  • Meat Thermometer A wireless probe like the ThermoPro TP20 helps monitor internal temps without opening the lid.
  • Wood Chunks Hickory and applewood are standard in Memphis. Avoid mesquiteits too strong.
  • Butcher Paper Used for the Texas crutch method. More breathable than foil.
  • BBQ Gloves Heat-resistant, dexterous gloves for handling hot grates.

Community Organizations

  • Girls Can Grill National Network Offers mentorship, grants, and event listings: girlscangrill.org
  • Memphis Barbecue Alliance A nonprofit that supports diversity in BBQ; hosts quarterly meetups.
  • Black Women in Food National group with active Memphis chapters.

Free Learning Resources

  • YouTube Channel: BBQ with Bree A Memphis-based pitmaster who posts weekly 10-minute tutorials.
  • Reddit: r/BBQ Search Memphis and female for threads with local tips.
  • Memphis Public Library Culinary Collection Offers free access to barbecue cookbooks and documentaries.

Real Examples

Example 1: Lashonda Lil Bit Williams From Kitchen to Pit

Lashonda started grilling in her backyard in 2016 after her father passed away. Hed been the family pitmaster, and she wanted to honor his legacy. She had no formal training. She used a $200 used smoker from Craigslist and experimented with dry rubs for months.

By 2019, she was selling ribs out of her driveway. In 2021, she opened Lil Bits Smokehouse. Her dry rubequal parts brown sugar, smoked paprika, and black pepperis now legendary. She hosts Grill & Gossip every Thursday night, where women come to cook, share stories, and learn.

Today, she mentors six young women in Memphis. One of them, 19-year-old Jasmine, now runs her own pop-up called Jazzy Smokes.

Example 2: Chef Tanya Moore Blending Cultures

Tanya grew up in Memphis but spent years cooking in Lagos, Nigeria. She returned home in 2020 and opened Saffron & Smoke, combining Memphis-style ribs with yam-based glazes and plantain ash seasoning.

Her restaurant was featured in Bon Apptit and on the Travel Channel. She teaches monthly classes: BBQ Beyond Borders. Her students include single mothers, refugees, and formerly incarcerated women.

Barbecue isnt just meat, she says. Its memory. Its survival. Its joy. And women have always been the keepers of that flame.

Example 3: The Pop-Up That Started a Movement

In 2022, four women in North MemphisDiane, Rosa, Keisha, and Monicastarted a monthly BBQ pop-up called Smoke Sisters. They pooled their money to buy a used trailer, cooked in a church parking lot, and sold ribs for $10.

By 2023, they were featured in the Memphis Flyer. They now have a permanent spot at the Memphis Food Hall and run a nonprofit that gives free grills to women in need.

We didnt set out to change the game, Diane says. We just wanted to cook like our grandmas taught us. But people started showing up. And now? Were the ones they come to.

Example 4: The Instagram Account That Went Viral

Debra Johnson, owner of Queen of the Pit BBQ, posted a 17-second video on TikTok in 2022: her hands applying a dry rub to ribs, with the caption: They said a woman cant smoke ribs like a man. Watch me.

The video went viral12 million views in two weeks. She was invited to cook at the White House for a cultural event. She now donates 10% of profits to a scholarship fund for girls in culinary arts.

Her message? You dont need a title to be a pitmaster. You just need fire, patience, and pride.

FAQs

Is Girls Can Grill Everyday Memphis a real organization?

No. It is not a registered business, nonprofit, or event. Its likely a search term formed by combining the popular phrase Girls Can Grill with Memphiss barbecue reputation. The real community exists through individual women, restaurants, and grassroots events.

Can I join a womens BBQ group in Memphis?

Yes. Organizations like Girls Who Grill Memphis and Smoke Sisters welcome new members. Attend their events, follow them on social media, and reach out respectfully. Most are eager to include newcomers who show genuine interest.

Do I need to be a skilled griller to connect with these women?

No. Many of them started with no experience. What matters is curiosity, respect, and willingness to listen. Bring an open mind and a hungry stomach.

Are there cooking classes for women in Memphis?

Yes. Saffron & Smoke, Lil Bits Smokehouse, and the Memphis Urban Agriculture Collective offer monthly classes. Some are free. Others have a small fee. Check their social media pages for schedules.

Can I volunteer to help at a BBQ event?

Absolutely. Most events need help with setup, cleanup, serving, or photography. Reach out via Facebook or email. Offering your time is one of the best ways to earn trust.

How do I know if a female pitmaster is authentic?

Look for consistency: daily posts, long-standing business, customer testimonials, and community involvement. Avoid accounts that only post professional photos with no behind-the-scenes content. Authenticity shows in the details.

Whats the best time of year to visit Memphis to meet female grillers?

May is idealMemphis in May brings the largest gathering of pitmasters. But dont wait. Many women operate year-round. Visit in the fall or winter for quieter, more personal interactions.

Do these women sell their rubs or sauces?

Many do. Check their websites or social media bios. Some sell online. Others only offer them at their restaurant or pop-ups. Ask politelytheyll often give you a sample.

Is it safe to visit these places as a visitor?

Yes. Memphis is a welcoming city, and these women are proud of their community. Stick to public, well-reviewed locations. Use common sense, as you would anywhere. Most are more than happy to have you.

What should I bring when I meet a female pitmaster?

A positive attitude, a willingness to learn, and maybe a bottle of water or a clean towel. Dont bring gifts unless asked. Your presence and respect are the most valuable things you can offer.

Conclusion

The phrase Girls Can Grill Everyday Memphis may not exist as a formal entitybut the spirit behind it is very real. Across Memphis, women are lighting fires, tending smokers, and turning meat into memory. They are mothers, mentors, artists, and entrepreneurs. They are not seeking permission. They are not asking for approval. They are simply grillingevery day, with pride, with purpose.

This guide has shown you how to find themnot through a search engine, but through presence, patience, and respect. You dont need to be a food critic. You dont need to know the difference between hickory and cherry wood. You just need to show up. Listen. Taste. And honor their craft.

The smoke rises. The ribs sizzle. The stories are told. And in Memphis, the women who grill are the ones who keep the flame alive.

Go find them. And when you doask for a bite. Theyll be glad you came.