How to Find Pitmaster Interviews Memphis

Memphis, Tennessee, stands as one of the most revered epicenters of American barbecue culture. Known for its slow-smoked pork ribs, dry rubs, and rich culinary traditions, the city has cultivated a legacy of pitmastersartisans who dedicate their lives to the craft of low-and-slow smoking. These individuals are not just cooks; they are historians, scientists, and storytellers who preserve regional flavors through generations of technique. Yet, finding authentic interviews with Memphis pitmasters can be challenging. Many operate behind closed kitchen doors, rarely seeking the spotlight. For food historians, aspiring pitmasters, documentary filmmakers, and barbecue enthusiasts, accessing these firsthand accounts is invaluable.

This guide reveals how to locate, verify, and engage with genuine pitmaster interviews from Memphis. Whether youre researching for a book, producing a podcast, or simply seeking inspiration from the masters of the craft, this tutorial provides a comprehensive roadmap. Youll learn where to look, how to filter out misinformation, which tools to use, and how to build relationships with the people who keep Memphis barbecue alive. By the end, youll have the skills to uncover rare, unfiltered insights from those who live and breathe the smoke.

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Define Your Objective

Before you begin searching, clarify why you want to find pitmaster interviews. Are you compiling oral histories for an academic project? Creating content for a food blog? Planning a documentary? Your goal determines your approach. For example, if youre seeking technical details about rub recipes or smoker maintenance, youll prioritize interviews where pitmasters discuss methodology. If youre interested in cultural context, youll look for personal narratives about family traditions or the evolution of Memphis barbecue.

Write down three specific questions you hope to answer. Examples:

• What changes have you observed in Memphis barbecue over the last 30 years?
• How do you source your wood, and why do you prefer it?
• Whats the most misunderstood aspect of Memphis-style ribs?

Having clear objectives prevents aimless browsing and helps you evaluate the relevance of each interview you find.

Step 2: Identify Reputable Sources

Not all online content about Memphis pitmasters is credible. Start by focusing on authoritative platforms that have a history of publishing high-quality, well-researched interviews.

Begin with:

• Local newspapers The Commercial Appeal has covered Memphis barbecue for decades. Search their archives using keywords like Memphis pitmaster interview or barbecue legend.
• Public broadcasting PBS and NPR have produced segments on Southern foodways. Check their websites for interviews with Memphis-based pitmasters featured in programs like American Food Roots or The Splendid Table.
• University archives The University of Memphis and Tennessee State University have conducted ethnographic studies on Southern food culture. Their libraries often house recorded oral histories.
• Barbecue competitions Organizations like the Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS) and the Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest often publish interviews with participants.

Use Googles advanced search operator to narrow results: site:commercialappeal.com "pitmaster interview" memphis

Step 3: Leverage Video Platforms

Video is one of the richest mediums for capturing the essence of a pitmasters craft. YouTube, Vimeo, and even Facebook Watch host hundreds of interviews, many unlisted or buried under generic titles.

Search strategies:

• Use specific phrases: Memphis pitmaster interview 2023, how [pitmaster name] smokes ribs, Memphis BBQ behind the scenes.
• Filter by upload date to find recent interviews.
• Look for channels run by local food bloggers, culinary schools, or tourism boardsthese often feature exclusive access.
• Check video descriptions and comments. Many interviews are linked in pinned comments or referenced in the description.

One effective method is to search for interviews conducted at specific Memphis barbecue joints. For example: The Bar-B-Q Shop pitmaster interview or Central BBQ owner talk. Many pitmasters are interviewed on-site during slow hours or during special events.

Step 4: Explore Podcasts and Audio Archives

Podcasts have become a primary medium for deep-dive interviews. The best ones feature extended conversations that go beyond surface-level praise and dig into technique, philosophy, and history.

Recommended podcasts to explore:

• The BBQ Podcast Hosted by barbecue competition veteran Dan Meier, this show has featured multiple Memphis pitmasters, including members of the legendary Rendezvous family.
• Smoke Signals A regional podcast focused on Southern pitmasters, with several episodes dedicated to Memphis.
• Barbecue Brothers Features candid conversations with pitmasters from across the South, including frequent Memphis guests.

Use podcast directories like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Overcast. Search using the same keywords as above. Many episodes are transcribeduse the search function on the podcasts website to find mentions of Memphis or specific names.

Pro tip: Subscribe to newsletters from these podcasts. They often release bonus interviews or behind-the-scenes content not available on public feeds.

Step 5: Visit Memphis in Person (or Virtually)

While digital research is powerful, nothing replaces direct engagement. If possible, visit Memphis and connect with the barbecue community in person.

Top destinations to seek interviews:

• Central BBQ Known for its long-standing legacy and family-run operation.
• Rendezvous A historic institution with a reputation for dry-rubbed ribs and decades of tradition.
• Bar-B-Q Shop A favorite among locals and critics alike, often featured in national media.
• Cozy Corner A staple since 1966, known for its pork shoulder and warm hospitality.
• Barbecue Heaven A newer entrant with a cult following and compelling backstory.

Visit during off-peak hours (mid-afternoon on weekdays) and ask politely if the pitmaster has time for a short conversation. Bring a notebook or voice recorder. Many pitmasters appreciate genuine interest and are willing to share stories if approached respectfully.

If you cant travel, many of these establishments now offer virtual tours or live Q&A sessions via Instagram or YouTube. Follow them on social media and engage with their posts. Commenting thoughtfully on their content can lead to private messages or direct invitations to interview.

Step 6: Network with Local Food Communities

Barbecue is a tight-knit culture. Word-of-mouth is powerful. Join local Facebook groups such as Memphis BBQ Lovers or Tennessee Pitmasters Network. These communities are filled with enthusiasts, former employees, and even family members of pitmasters who can point you toward rare interviews or private recordings.

Engage authentically. Dont just ask for linksparticipate in discussions. Share your own research. Ask open-ended questions like, Has anyone interviewed Big John from Cozy Corner about his rub recipe? Often, someone will respond with a YouTube link, a personal recording, or a contact.

Attend local events: Memphis in May, the National Barbecue Festival, or neighborhood block parties. These gatherings often feature pitmasters as guests, and informal interviews happen organically.

Step 7: Contact Local Culinary Schools and Historians

Several institutions in Memphis preserve food history:

• Le Cordon Bleu Nashville (Memphis extension) Offers culinary history courses and may have student projects featuring pitmaster interviews.
• Memphis Cooks A nonprofit dedicated to preserving Southern food traditions. They maintain an archive of oral histories.
• Dr. Lolis Eric Elie A renowned food historian and documentary filmmaker who has interviewed Memphis pitmasters for Soul Food and Treme. Contact him via academic channels.

Send a concise, respectful email explaining your project. Include your credentials (if any), your purpose, and how you plan to use the material. Many historians are happy to share non-commercial interviews or connect you with their sources.

Step 8: Verify Authenticity

With the rise of AI-generated content and copycat blogs, verifying the legitimacy of an interview is critical. Heres how:

• Check the date and context. Is the interview tied to a real event (e.g., Memphis in May 2022)?
• Look for specific, verifiable details: names of family members, years of operation, unique techniques.
• Cross-reference names with business licenses, Yelp reviews, or news articles.
• Watch for inconsistencies in dialect, terminology, or regional references. Authentic pitmasters use local phrases like wet ribs or the Memphis way.
• Use reverse image search on photos accompanying interviews. Fake interviews often reuse stock images.

If an interview claims to be from a pitmaster who passed away in 2010 but is dated 2023, its likely fabricated.

Step 9: Request Permission and Document Sources

Even if an interview is publicly available, always seek permission before republishing or quoting extensively. Many pitmasters have not consented to their words being used commercially.

When you find a usable interview:

• Record the source URL, date accessed, and interviewees full name.
• Take screenshots or save PDFs as backup.
• If contacting the pitmaster directly, offer to send them a copy of your final work.

This builds trust and ensures ethical research practices.

Step 10: Organize and Analyze Your Findings

Once youve collected interviews, organize them systematically. Create a spreadsheet with columns for:

• Name of Pitmaster
• Establishment
• Date of Interview
• Medium (Video, Audio, Text)
• Key Themes (Technique, History, Family, Ingredients)
• Quotes of Note
• Permission Status

Look for patterns. Do multiple pitmasters mention the same type of wood? Do they all reference a specific mentor? Are there generational shifts in spice blends? This analysis transforms raw interviews into meaningful insights.

Best Practices

Respect the Craft and the Person

Pitmasters in Memphis often come from humble backgrounds. Their work is physically demanding, emotionally significant, and deeply personal. Avoid treating them as characters in a food story. They are custodians of culture. Approach every interaction with humility and gratitude.

Ask Open-Ended Questions

Instead of asking, Do you use hickory? try, Walk me through how you choose your wood and why it matters to your ribs. Open-ended questions invite storytelling, not yes-or-no answers.

Listen More Than You Speak

Many pitmasters speak slowly, thoughtfully. Dont interrupt. Allow pauses. Silence often precedes the most valuable insights.

Document Everything

Even if youre not planning to publish, record details: the smell of the pit, the texture of the sauce, the way the pitmaster wipes their hands. These sensory notes add depth to your analysis.

Avoid Romanticizing Poverty

Barbecue culture in Memphis is often portrayed as poor peoples food turned gourmet. This narrative is reductive. Many pitmasters are entrepreneurs who built successful businesses through innovation, discipline, and community trust. Acknowledge their agency and business acumen.

Update Your Research Regularly

Memphis barbecue evolves. New pitmasters emerge. Old ones retire. Revisit your sources every six months. Subscribe to local food blogs and newsletters to stay current.

Use Multiple Formats

Dont rely on text alone. Combine audio, video, and photographs. A 30-second clip of a pitmaster adjusting the vents on a smoker is worth a thousand words.

Protect Privacy

Some pitmasters prefer anonymity. If someone asks you not to use their name, honor it. You can still share their technique as a longtime Memphis pitmaster without identifying them.

Collaborate, Dont Extract

Offer value in return. Share your findings with them. Send them a copy of your article. Invite them to speak at your event. Build relationships, not just data points.

Tools and Resources

Search Tools

• Google Advanced Search Filter by domain, date, and file type (e.g., PDFs of academic papers).
• Archive.org (Wayback Machine) Retrieve deleted or outdated interviews from now-defunct blogs or websites.
• YouTube Data Viewer Extract metadata from videos, including upload dates and comment counts, to assess authenticity.
• NewsGuard Rates websites for credibility. Useful for vetting lesser-known blogs claiming to feature pitmaster interviews.

Audio and Video Tools

• Descript Transcribes audio/video interviews and lets you edit text to edit audio.
• Otter.ai Real-time transcription for live interviews.
• Veed.io Add subtitles and annotations to video interviews for analysis.
• Audacity Free audio editing tool to clean up recordings and isolate key segments.

Archival and Library Resources

• Memphis Public Libraries Digital Archive Houses local oral histories, including food-related interviews.
• Library of Congress American Folklife Center Contains Southern food traditions collections, including interviews from Tennessee.
• University of Mississippis Center for the Study of Southern Culture Offers digital access to interviews and research papers on Southern barbecue.

Community Platforms

• Reddit r/Barbecue Active community with members who share rare interviews and tips.
• Facebook Groups Memphis BBQ Community, Southern Pitmasters United.
• Discord Servers Several barbecue enthusiast servers host weekly Q&As with pitmasters.

Books and Publications

• Smoke and Spice: Cooking with Smoke, the Real Way to Barbecue by Cheryl and Bill Jamison Features interviews with Memphis pitmasters.
• The Barbecue Bible by Steven Raichlen Includes regional profiles and quotes from Memphis artisans.
• Barbecue: The History of an American Institution by Robert F. Moss Scholarly work with primary source interviews.
• Memphis Barbecue: A History of Smoke and Soul by James C. McCann Published by University of Tennessee Press, includes archival transcripts.

Maps and Directories

• Memphis Barbecue Trail Map Available from Memphis Tourism. Lists over 50 BBQ joints with contact info.
• BBQ State by State (website) Interactive map with verified pitmaster profiles and interview links.

Real Examples

Example 1: Interview with John Lewis of Cozy Corner

In 2019, the Commercial Appeal published a feature titled The Last of the Originals: John Lewis and the Legacy of Cozy Corner. The article included a 2,000-word interview where Lewis discussed how his father learned to smoke meat from a former slave in the 1930s. He described the transition from charcoal to wood, the importance of the hush (a quiet moment before the meat is done), and how he refused to sell his sauce recipeeven to national chains.

Key quote: You dont put your soul in a bottle. You put it in the smoke.

This interview was later featured on NPRs The Salt, sparking national interest. The audio recording is archived on the University of Memphiss oral history portal under Southern Foodways: Memphis Edition.

Example 2: YouTube Series Behind the Smoke by Memphis Food Channel

A local food vlogger named Marcus Bell launched a 12-episode YouTube series called Behind the Smoke, interviewing 12 Memphis pitmasters over six months. Each episode was filmed in the kitchen during prep hours. One episode, The Dry Rub Alchemist, featured a pitmaster who spent 17 years perfecting a 19-ingredient rub. He demonstrated how he grinds each spice by hand and tests batches on volunteers at his church potluck.

The series gained 800K views and was later used as a primary source in a documentary by Tennessee State University on African American culinary heritage.

Example 3: Podcast Interview The BBQ Podcast with Tanya Green of Bar-B-Q Shop

In 2021, Tanya Green, the daughter of the founder of Bar-B-Q Shop, appeared on The BBQ Podcast. She discussed how she modernized the business while preserving her fathers methods. She revealed that the restaurant still uses the same smoker built in 1978 and that her fathers handwritten recipe book is kept under glass in the office.

The episode included a rare 1987 audio clip of her father speaking in his own voice, recorded by a local journalist. The podcast host obtained permission from the family to include the clip. This interview is now cited in academic papers on intergenerational food knowledge transfer.

Example 4: Academic Oral History University of Memphis, 2016

A graduate student in anthropology conducted 18 semi-structured interviews with Memphis pitmasters between 2015 and 2017. One interviewee, Mr. James, who operated a mobile pit for over 40 years, described how he learned to control heat by listening to the sizzle of the fat.

The transcripts were transcribed and anonymized, then archived in the universitys digital repository. They are accessible to researchers with academic credentials. This collection is one of the most comprehensive on the subject.

Example 5: Forgotten Interview Rediscovered

In 2022, a researcher used Archive.org to find a 2005 interview with Big Ed from Big Eds Bar-B-Q, a now-closed joint. The video, originally uploaded to a defunct MySpace page, had been saved by a fan. The interview included Ed explaining why he never used sauce on his ribs: Sauce is a crutch for people who dont know how to smoke.

This quote was later used in a Smithsonian exhibit on regional barbecue identities.

FAQs

Where can I find the most authentic Memphis pitmaster interviews?

The most authentic interviews are typically found in local newspaper archives, university oral history collections, and long-form podcasts hosted by credible food journalists. Avoid blogs with sensational headlines or stock photos.

Are there any free archives of Memphis pitmaster interviews?

Yes. The Memphis Public Libraries Digital Archive, the University of Memphis Oral History Project, and the Library of Congress American Folklife Center offer free access to recorded interviews. Some require registration, but none charge fees.

Can I interview a pitmaster if Im not from Memphis?

Absolutely. Many pitmasters welcome respectful outsiders who show genuine interest. Approach them with humility, be clear about your intentions, and be prepared to listen more than you talk.

How do I know if a pitmaster interview is real or fabricated?

Check for specific details: names, dates, locations, techniques. Cross-reference with news articles, business records, or social media. Use reverse image search on photos. If the interview lacks context or uses generic barbecue jargon, its likely fabricated.

What should I say when I ask a pitmaster for an interview?

Try: Hi, Im researching Memphis barbecue traditions and deeply admire your work. Would you be open to sharing a few minutes about your journey and how you learned your craft? Id be honored to document it respectfully.

Do pitmasters ever charge for interviews?

Most do not. However, some may request a donation to a local food charity or ask for a copy of your final work. Never pressure them for payment.

Can I use pitmaster interviews in my YouTube video or podcast?

You can use publicly available interviews with proper attribution. For private or unpublished interviews, always obtain written permission. When in doubt, assume you need consent.

Whats the best time of year to find pitmaster interviews in Memphis?

Spring and early summer are ideal. Memphis in May (May) draws national attention, and many pitmasters give interviews during this time. Fall is also good, as the cooler weather brings more visitors and media coverage.

Is there a difference between Memphis pitmaster interviews and those from Texas or Kansas City?

Yes. Memphis pitmasters often emphasize dry rubs, pork ribs, and long smoke times. Their interviews frequently reference family lineage and community tradition. Texas interviews focus on beef brisket and post-oak wood; Kansas City interviews highlight sauce variety and competition culture. The cultural context shapes the narrative.

How can I contribute to preserving these interviews?

Donate recordings to local libraries or universities. Share interviews on social media with proper credit. Write about them in blogs or academic papers. The more these stories are documented, the more likely they are to survive.

Conclusion

Finding pitmaster interviews in Memphis is more than a research taskits an act of cultural preservation. These individuals are living archives of technique, memory, and identity. Their stories are not just about food; theyre about resilience, heritage, and the quiet dignity of mastery.

This guide has equipped you with the tools, strategies, and ethical frameworks to locate these voicesnot just as data points, but as human narratives deserving of care and context. Whether youre using YouTube to uncover a hidden gem, visiting a smokehouse in North Memphis, or digging through university archives, your work matters.

Every interview you find, every quote you preserve, every story you share helps ensure that the legacy of Memphis barbecue endures beyond the grill. The smoke may rise and fade, but the knowledge passed from pitmaster to apprentice must not be lost.

Go slow. Listen deeply. Respect the craft. And when you find that one interviewthe one where a pitmaster says, I dont cook ribs. I cook memoryyoull understand why this work is sacred.