Pitmaster, an Old Virginia Smoke Podcast

Welcome to Pitmaster, an Old Virginia Smoke Podcast. Each episode, OVS Pitmaster Luke Darnell will deconstruct world-class pitmasters to extract the tactics, tools, and routines you can use at home in your backyard and in the competition BBQ world. This includes morning routines, habits, tricks, and much more. Find out what’s challenged the world’s best pitmasters, how they handle adversity, and where they turn to for advice and counsel. You won’t want to miss this very entertaining, educational and totally different BBQ podcast.

09/10/25 - The Brisket King - Gabe Trevino

On this episode of Pitmaster, an Old Virginia Smoke podcast, we spend some time with Gabe Trevino from Smokin' Volts BBQ, one of the hottest cooks in KCBS right now!  Gabe dishes on what makes him tick...and Luke tries to pry brisket secrets out of him...

09-10
41:18

08/01/25 - Remembering Ercole Chila

On this special episode of Pitmaster, an Old. Virginia Smoke podcast, we sit with some Pitmasters at Smoke on the Rails in New Freedom, PA, to remember our friend Ercole Chila from Uncle Pigs BBQ Pit.  This episode was very special, as we were joined by Ercole’s wife Sara, his three daughters and other family members. 

08-01
01:04:43

05/30/25 - The Best Rub on the Planet - Bill Gillespie

This week on Pitmaster, an Old Virginia Smoke podcast, we catch up with Guest 1...Bill Gillespie with Smokin Hoggz BBQ, recent winner of "Best Rub on the Planet" award from the American Royal.  Always a good time, enjoy this conversation with Billy.

05-30
30:39

05/21/25 - How to Take a BBQ Class

It's KCBS World Championship week!  On this edition of Pitmaster, an Old Virginia Smoke podcast, Luke dives in to how to take classes, and lessons learned, with David Moore from Hot Mess BBQ and Brian Corbett with Smokin' Skullies.  Lots of great tidbits here, and learning about...learning.

05-21
48:37

05/07/25 - Partner Shopping - Josh Yagel

On this episode of Pitmaster, an Old Virginia Smoke podcast, we introduce you to Josh Yagel of Leaning Jowler BBQ, our BBQ team that we'll follow this year.  Josh is a great guy with a great family and story.  I hope you look forward to following him as much as I do.

05-07
19:24

03/14/25 - "Shiggin" & the "9:22 Shot" - Darren Warth

On this episode of Pitmaster, an Old Virginia Smoke Podcast, we get into a couple of awesome stories with Darren Warth of Smokey D's, recapping some tales that he told at the KCBS Roundtable, at the KCBS Awards Banquet in January. Learn where the 9:22 shot and the term "shiggin" came from. 

03-14
35:56

1/31/25 - The Champ - Kyle Kuhn

Welcome to another season of Pitmaster, an Old Virginia Smoke podcast.  We kickoff 2025 by checking in with our friend and "awards chiropractor" Kyle Kuhn with Hot Daddy's BBQ, winner of the American Royal Invitational in 2024.

01-31
33:25

11/15/24 - The End of Year Pod

In this episode of Pitmaster, Luke and Brian from Smokin Skullies break down the end of the year and talk about the offseason.

11-15
42:26

10/07/24 - Tone Loc's Biggest Fan - Charles Beard

This week we feature Charles Beard from Glamping Grillers on the eve of the Jack Daniel's World Championship. 

10-07
40:24

09/27/24 - World Food Championships - Mike McCloud

This special episode of Pitmaster features the head of the World Food Championships, Mike McCloud.   We talk categories, BBQ and cooking.

09-27
32:04

09/24/24 - BBQ Positivity - Dave & Shirin Mara

Dave and Shirin Mara of Meat Candy Q have been on.an absolute tear this this year!  On this episode of Pitmaster, we get to meet them and find out some of their tips, tricks, habits and routines that have them on track to win KCBS Rib Team of the Year.

09-24
29:08

09/17/24 - Ashland Contest Happy Hour

OVS caught up with other cooks at the Americamps BBQ Throwdown in Ashland, Virginia, back in early August. Enjoy the fun, and don't forget to follow OVS on YouTube. 

09-17
29:38

09/16/24 - Wise Virginia Live Happy Hour

It was quite the party, as it always is, at the Chillin' & Grillin' at the Glades. The event, which saw OVS take home the RGC, included a happy hour with Luke, Kim, and plenty of friends. Please enjoy! 

09-16
01:35:03

06/21/24 - DC BBQ Battle Preview - Andrew Schaffer & William Stilwell

This week we preview the DC BBQ Battle with organizer Andrew Schaffer and OVS teammate Sir William Stilwell, aka The Goat! 

06-21
18:52

06/07/24 - The Butt Whisperer - Brad Cox

This week on Pitmaster, an Old Virginia Smoke podcast, we welcome Brad Cox of Local Yokels BBQ out of Illinois, recent winner of the KCBS World Invitational Open Contest.  If there's a better person in BBQ, I'd be interested in finding them!  This is a fun, feel good episode that I think you will enjoy!

06-07
35:31

05/20/24 - A New Champ - Dennis Bowman

On this episode of Pitmaster, we talk to Dennis Bowman of Bowman's Butts & BBQ, a great young man who just won his first Masters GC in Kannapolis. 

05-20
39:53

05/09/24 - The LEGO Pitmaster - Harry Soo

On this week's edition of Pitmaster, an Old Virginia Smoke Podcast, we go for a ride with Harry Soo from Slap Yo' Daddy BBQ, a legend in the BBQ world.  Harry has great info on mindset, thought processes, and a lot of life lessons.  This is one of the most fun and insightful podcasts I've ever done.  I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

05-09
53:51

04/23/24 - Chasing Bourbon & Friends - Chris Salsberry

Chris Salsberry from Fred Vegas Smokers has been cooking all over the country this early season.  He's chasing "Bourbon and Friends" and having a blast with competition BBQ.  This is a great podcast with a lot of tips on cooking in different parts of the country, and for making sure BBQ is fun.  You don't want to miss this one.

04-23
59:47

03/11/24 - The GOAT's - Darren Worth and Brad Leininger

On this episode of Pitmaster, we have a conversation about GOAT Status with two of them, Brad Leighninger with Gettin' Basted and Darren Warth with Iowa Smokey D's.

03-11
31:58

03/01/24 - The Pork Shanks - Brian Corbett

The Pork Shanks - On this episode of Pitmaster, an Old Virginia Smoke podcast, Luke talks with Brian Corbett about their weekend together at the King of the Farm contest in Iron Station, NC, and how sometimes one meat can go completely haywire - and how to fix it.

03-01
34:57

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