International BBQ Pitmaster Steve Botkin

Texas BBQ Cooking Classes in (Near Dallas) Lavon, TX

Desperado BBQ — Est. 2013

Desperado BBQ was founded in 2013 with one mission: produce authentic, championship-quality Texas barbecue while developing award-winning BBQ sauces and rubs trusted by backyard cooks and competitive pitmasters alike.

My competitive barbecue journey began with an unforgettable debut—earning Grand Champion in my very first BBQ competition. Since then, I've competed against some of the most respected names in barbecue, including Myron Mixon, Moe Cason, Harry Soo, and Johnny Trigg, earning championships and awards while continually refining my craft.

In 2016, I was honored to be invited as the behind-the-scenes pitmaster for award-winning pitmaster Harry Soo of Slap Yo' Daddy BBQ first BBQ classes in Sydney, Australia. While Harry taught the classes, I prepared and cooked the championship barbecue, giving students an authentic taste of world-class competition BBQ.

In 2017, I made history as the first American pitmaster invited to teach authentic Texas barbecue in Perth, Australia. Sharing award-winning techniques developed through years of competition and experience, I trained pitmasters and barbecue enthusiasts from around the world in the art of true Texas BBQ.