Tailgating and Barbecue Influencers Showing Off Their Grilling Skills

Tailgating and barbecuing bring people together for a great time, especially during a summer day or football season. These tailgating and barbecue influencers are skilled when it comes to grilling, sharing their best secrets, recipes and skills.

Tailgating and barbecue influencers to follow

Rasheed Philips

Rasheed has loved food since a young age and now lives for grilling and barbecuing. He’s a blogger and sells various barbecue products. Rasheed believes “meat is king” and enjoys demonstrating and sharing different ways to get the most out of it. He regularly attends cookouts, tailgates, and events where people can gauge his expertise by trying his food. 

Katherine Salom – girlgonegrilling

Katherine loves barbecuing so much that she got a certificate in meat science. She also loves fishing and often shares her catch(es) of the day, which she takes to the grill. Additionally, her content consists of recipes, tips and her favorite products for backyard barbecuing and tailgating. Her blog touches on lifestyle, fashion, travel and beauty. 

Melissa Cookston

Melissa refers to herself as “a grill’s best friend” and is a seven-time World Barbecue Champion. She shares recipes, tutorials, and her frequent travels to events and competitions, where she sometimes sits on the judging panel. She also has published several cookbooks.

Misty Banchero

Chef Misty, also known as Seattle butcher’s wife, is all about the meat. She posts innovative recipes, such as stuffed flank steak pinwheels, and specialty burgers, and was even the winner of the Pacific NW Burger Battle. She also makes and shares her dessert recipes. 

Max Greb

As Max would say, he lives for cooking over the fire. Also known as Max the Meat Guy, he started by sharing his simple love for barbecuing in the company of friends and family. Now, with the help of his blog and other content, he serves as a guide for the cooking and grilling community. And to top it off, he demonstrates cooking with all kinds of meat — from spam to wagyu. 

Steven Raichlen

Steven is the creator behind the blog Barbecue Bible, a TV host and published author. He also launched a business selling grilled, ready-to-eat food and travels the world to give lectures on barbecuing. He’s most known for his highly creative recipes, like grilled watermelon, smoked ice cream, and bacon apple crisp. 

Jess Pryles – Hardcore Carnivore

Jess is the driving force behind Hardcore Carnivore, a platform with recipes, apparel and other cooking products. As a meat science graduate student, she enjoys showing her favorite methods to use when grilling up some grub. 

Kita Roberts – Girl Carnivore

This meat maven is the writer, photographer and creator behind the blog Girl Carnivore. She’s been sharing her passion for food made on the grill, along with craft cocktails, for more than a decade now. She also travels the world, tasting all the barbecue cuisine it has to offer. 

Malcolm Reed – How To BBQ Right

As you can see from his blog, How To BBQ Right, Chef Malcom loves all things barbecue. He enjoys sharing his recipes, tutorials and progress on the grill. He has traveled all over the U.S. to compete in multiple cook-offs and contests and enjoys making unique drinks, like strawberry cream shots. He also hosts a barbecue podcast.  

Myron Mixon

Chef Myron is a five-time Barbecue World Champion and has won over 200 grand championships. He has spent time learning and perfecting his craft since competing in his first barbecue competition in 1996. He’s also a published author and owns a restaurant and barbecue cooking school. His posts mainly feature advice and unique recipes like Cabo beef filet and bee stinger. 

Mel Chmilar – darksideofthegrill

Mel is a caterer, event host, live cooking instructor, blogger and more. He’s a part of two pro teams, and together, they host pop-up events and tailgates. 

Willy Soto – adventuresofafatguy

Willy delights in sharing his amazing recipes and indulging with a cold glass of craft beer. He also posts his go-to products when working the grill. He shares recipe like smoked queso dip, pork belly burnt ends and tacos.

Eduardo Gonzalez

Barbecue catering connoisseur Eduardo brings an array of specialty flavors to his food. He shares off his latest grilled meals and barbecue recipes. Incorporating his Mexican heritage, he’s able to achieve a unique twist on the fire-grilled Tex-Mex food he creates. He also hosts pop-up events with his business partner.

Javier Mejia

Javier, also known as Javi, finds immense joy in firing up the grill. He often travels and hosts events where he demonstrates how to roast an animal, oftentimes whole. He is also known for his innovative roasting tools, like the spinning asado cross. 

Alejo Frugoni

Also known as Al, this pit master is also a blogger, creator and ambassador. He was introduced to the grill at an early age and now holds it dear to his heart, especially since it reminds him of growing up in Argentina. He shares cool recipes and tips and tricks, like starting a pit fire using flaming Hot Cheetos. He also has a line of sauces and spices and frequently travels to host and attend events.