Tuffy Stone

Native Virginian, Tuffy Stone, is a Six-time World Barbecue Champion pitmaster (most recently at Memphis in May 2019), an author (Cool Smoke -The Art of Great Barbecue), a former Marine, a French-trained chef and an occasional reality television star. Dubbed the “Professor,” Tuffy’s legendary precision and obsession with the science of smoke make him one of the most influential people in barbecue.

As a result of his continued success on the barbecue competition circuit with his Cool Smoke Barbecue team and his extensive knowledge of all things barbecue, Tuffy was selected to join Destination America’s show BBQ Pitmasters as a judge and co-host.

Tuffy’s life in barbecue continues to take him all over the world, including Kuwait, where he had the pleasure of cooking for the troops. Also, New Zealand and Austrailia where he taught his Cool Smoke Barbecue classes at Meatstock. Most recently, Tuffy traveled to Brazil to teach a BBQ masterclass to a large group of passionate Portuguese speaking pitmasters. (Note: Tuffy does not speak Portuguese.)

In late 2019, Tuffy opened The Westover, a casual neighborhood joint in Richmond, Virginia serving breakfast and lunch daily and occasionally opening for dinner and live music. He is also owner of A Sharper Palate Catering & Events, which he opened in 1993 with his wife, Leslie.

Tuffy was inducted into the Barbecue Hall of Fame in 2018…a night fueled by fire, friends and fine bourbon.