Grill Power, Vol. 5: Tina Cannon
Southern pitmaster, Netflix BBQ champ, and Meals on Wheels hero.
By: Karly ForsytheTina Cannon doesn’t just cook, she lives for fire. With Southern roots, European culinary training, and a long history of breaking barriers in male-dominated kitchens, Tina is proof that women belong at the grill and beyond. She’s bold, passionate, and doesn’t back down, and that’s exactly why we’re proud to feature her for Grill Power.
Tina Cannon’s barbecue journey started in a place many pitmasters can relate to: in the backyard with her dad and grandfather, cooking over a fire after a long day outdoors. As a self-proclaimed tomboy growing up in the South, Tina gravitated toward the campfire, not the kitchen. While the boys grilled, she’d volunteer to clean up, just for a chance to be near the fire.
That spark stuck. For her 10th birthday, Tina asked for a grill. Her dad got her a Weber kettle, and she cooked hot dogs for the family. The rest is history.
Today, Tina is a classically trained chef, Netflix barbecue star (American Barbecue Showdown), and one of the most dedicated community cooks you’ll ever meet. She’s prepared over 40,000 meals for seniors through Meals on Wheels and built a loyal following online with her fearless, all-in approach to live-fire cooking. Appetizers, mains, sides, desserts, if it can be cooked, Tina will do it on the grill.
But being a woman in BBQ hasn’t been easy. She’s competed—and won—against some of the biggest names in the field, only to watch the same men get the sponsorships and attention she’s earned ten times over. “People assume my husband is the one cooking,” she says. “Funny thing is, he can’t even cook an egg.”
And yet, Tina keeps showing up. For the competitions. For the community. For the women (and girls) watching. “I get messages from women saying I’ve inspired them. I even get dads reaching out to tell me I’ve inspired their daughters. That’s what matters most to me.”
Her advice for women who feel intimidated by the grill? Don’t be. If you already handle the family’s meals, step outside. Fire up the grill. Breathe the fresh air. “It’s freeing. And quiet. It clears your head.”
Tina Cannon doesn’t wait for permission. and she’s not here to play by anyone else’s rules. She’s building her own legacy, one flame-kissed meal at a time.
Keep Up with Tina:
👉On Instagram: @tinacannoncooks
👉On Facebook
👉 On YouTube
On her website, tinacannoncooks.com
That wraps up our Grill Power series, thanks for joining us and championing women everywhere... but especially at the grill.
