Aaron Franklin is an Austin, Texas-based barbecue cook, grilling guy, restaurant owner, educator and MasterClass instructor. Aaron is a self taught barbecue expert who has quickly risen to be one of the most well-known pit bosses in the barbecue world. He never cuts corners on choosing quality meats and spending the time it really takes to make the best barbecue in the country. Aaron’s first book, Franklin Barbecue: A Meat Smoking Manifesto has quickly become a cult classic since it was published in 2015. Aaron’s second book, Franklin Steak, showcases his deep love for steak by exploring dry aging, reverse searing, and other cooking methods. Franklin Smoke, Aaron’s third and most recent book, addresses the mysterious area where smoker and grill intersect, describing when and how to best combine the two. Aaron is the recipient of the James Beard Award for Best Chef and has also been inducted into the American Royal Barbecue Hall of Fame for 2020. Aaron also launched his backyard bbq pit company, Franklin BBQ Pits, in 2020. Aaron’s most recent restaurant, Uptown Sports Club, opened in March 2023 and is serving up a Texan take on Louisiana homestyle brasserie fare.

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