A grill master (also known as a pitmaster) is focused on controlling the heat and creating the perfect conditions to grill food to perfection. They must also know how to grill a variety of foods and various techniques that can be used to maximize flavors while keeping the food tender.
How to Become a Grill Master (Pitmaster)
There is no requirement to become a grill master, they may have an Associate’s degree or a Bachelor’s degree in the culinary arts. Some colleges offer culinary courses in the foundations of cooking and business marketing. These culinary programs can take anywhere from two to four years and will provide the general knowledge necessary to land a job at a restaurant.
If you wish to be a grill master, working at a restaurant that is known for it’s grilled food would be beneficial as you can become exposed to these cooking techniques. These restaurants could be seafood or steak houses or restaurants that specialize in barbecue and smoked foods. Also, whether you are grilling in your backyard or at a restaurant, practice makes perfect! A sense of taste and smell is needed and safety is important when working around hot grills. You must also have stamina to stand long hours and physical strength to lift heavy items.
Grill Master (Pitmaster) Job Description
Who doesn’t love fresh cooked food from a grill? The skills of a master grill chef is considered an art in some parts of the country, just ask any barbecue connoisseur! These are experts and depend on the very best ingredients and they may be tasked to purchase the food to ensure it meets their quality standards. They are responsible to fire up the grills, clean the grills, and ensure the grills stay hot throughout their shift.
They also use a variety of techniques and grills. The duties of a a grill master will also depend on where they work. The tasks in a restaurant may vary considerably from someone who grills at events.
Grill masters often work at a station with others and may oversee less experienced cooks. They are always monitoring the temperature of the grill and may also shift how hot various parts of the grill are and move ingredients around the grill to cook the food just right. They are skilled at ensuring a customer’s food is cooked to their requested order, such as raw, medium, medium-well, or well done. They also make sure food areas are clean, sanitized, and comply with regulations.
