The Pitmaster's Podcast

All right, BBQ family, fire up those smokers because we've got an awesome guest joining us today! If you've spent any time in the barbecue world, chances are you already know today's guest. Rusty Monson is the owner of Salt City BBQ in Utah, a championship pitmaster, and one of the most respected voices in the BBQ community. Whether he's cooking on the competition circuit, serving incredible barbecue, or helping backyard pitmasters take their game to the next level, Rusty brings passion, knowledge, and a whole lot of flavor to everything he does. And here's something worth celebrating—Rusty was recently inducted into The Pitmaster's Podcast Guest Hall of Fame, recognizing the impact he's made on the barbecue community and the countless conversations he's shared with BBQ fans across the country. Today we're talking all things barbecue—from competition cooking and running Salt City BBQ to the latest trends, favorite cooks, lessons learned, and maybe even a few stories from behind the smoker that you've never heard before. So grab your favorite BBQ, settle in, and get ready for a great conversation. Please welcome to the show, Hall of Fame pitmaster and owner of Salt City BBQ… Rusty Monson!

The Pitmaster Podcast Hall of Fame Selection Show is going LIVE on YouTube!
Join us June 30 at 7PM MST as we reveal the next class of Hall of Fame inductees.
Don't miss the action, the stories, and the celebration of BBQ greatness!
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In 2016, I jumped into the world of competition BBQ. My very first sanctioned contest was the legendary American Royal, and I've been hooked ever since.
As a solo cook, I compete in about 4–8 contests each year, chasing great food, great people, and the challenge of getting better every cook.
Along the way, I've been fortunate to have some memorable moments:
🏆 2021 American Royal Open – 1st Place Pork🥉 2026 American Royal – 7th Place Chicken🥉 2026 American Royal – 3rd Place Sauce on Your (SOY)
After that Royal pork win, I decided it was time to create something of my own. In 2022, Perfect Perfect BBQ was born—named appropriately after years of chasing that perfect bite.
Since then, the lineup has grown with:🔥 Perfect Perfect BBQ Rub🔥 Hot Bum🔥 O.G. Bum
One of the things I enjoy most is teaching BBQ classes throughout the year. Whether it's backyard BBQ for family and friends or competition-style cooking, I love helping others build confidence, improve their skills, and grow their passion for outdoor cooking.
BBQ has given me opportunities, friendships, and memories I never expected. If you're just getting started or looking to take your cooking to the next level, I'm glad to be part of the journey.
Thanks for following along and supporting Perfect Perfect BBQ.
🔥 Keep cooking. Keep learning. Keep chasing Perfect Perfect.

Brad Leighninger is the pitmaster, co-owner, and founder behind the award-winning barbecue brand Gettin' Basted, based in southwest Missouri. He launched the team in 2012, originally as a competition barbecue outfit, and quickly built it into one of the most successful teams on the professional BBQ circuit before expanding into full-scale restaurants in Branson and Nixa, Missouri. Leighninger is widely known in the BBQ world for helping popularize the "hot and fast" cooking style, using direct heat and drum smokers rather than traditional low-and-slow methods. This approach became a signature of both his competition strategy and restaurant menu. As a competitor, he has accumulated an elite résumé, including multiple world-class titles such as a Jack Daniel's World Championship Invitational Barbecue Grand Champion, King of the Smoker Grand Champion, and multiple Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS) Team of the Year honors. He has also earned over 100 major competition wins and numerous grand championships across the United States. Beyond competition, Leighninger co-owns several Gettin' Basted restaurant locations and is active in the broader barbecue industry as a pitmaster, educator, and public figure in BBQ media and events. In short, he's considered one of the most decorated and influential modern competitive pitmasters, known for both his innovation in technique and his dominance on the competition circuit.

This week on The Pitmasters Podcast, we're sitting down with one of the most accomplished names in the world of live-fire cooking — John Lindsey.
From championship steaks and award-winning BBQ to television appearances, catering, product development, and BBQ education, John has built a reputation as one of the most respected ambassadors in the barbecue industry.
🏆 What You'll Hear About:
Building the legendary All Q'ued Up Competition Cooking Team
Winning on the Steak Cookoff Association circuit
His journey to becoming the "Delta Pitmaster"
Creating the award-winning All Q'ued Up rubs, sauces, and Southern Spice seasonings
Teaching thousands of backyard cooks through BBQ classes and BBQ Champs Academy
Behind-the-scenes stories from television shows including BamaQ TV: The Steakout and BBQ Country
Competition BBQ, steak cooking, catering, content creation, and what's next for John Lindsey
John's Accomplishments Include:
✅ 2018 SCA Newcomer of the Year
✅ 2019 SCA National Points Runner-Up
✅ 2020 BBQ Champs Academy Ultimate Steak Showdown Champion
✅ 2020 SCA Ambassador of the Year
✅ 7-Time SCA World Championship Qualifier
✅ 3-Time World Food Championships Qualifier
✅ 2021 Myron Mixon Unadilla Hog Drop Grand Champion
✅ 2022 Arkansas State Points Champion (SCA)
✅ 2022 Alabama State Open Champion (SCA)
✅ 2022 Mississippi State Open Champion (SCA)
✅ 2023 Beyond Meat World Champion (KCBS)
✅ Member of The BBQ Allstars
✅ Featured TV Personality, Instructor, Caterer, and Pitmaster
Whether you're a competition cook, backyard griller, steak enthusiast, or BBQ fanatic, this is an episode you don't want to miss.
🎙️ Hosted by Thee Anthony Lujan & Jesse Johnson
📅 Live Tuesday Night
📺 Watch, comment, and join the conversation live.
#PitmastersPodcast #JohnLindsey #DeltaPitmaster #BBQ #Barbecue #SteakCookoffAssociation #SCA #CompetitionBBQ #Grilling #Pitmaster #AllQuedUp #SouthernSpice #BBQLife #LiveFireCooking #BBQCommunity #SteakCooking #BBQAllstars #BBQChamps #SmokeAintNoJoke