Aaron Franklin is a celebrated American pitmaster, restaurateur, and educator, best known as the co-founder and owner of Franklin Barbecue in Austin, Texas.

Franklin’s dedication to quality and technique earned him the James Beard Foundation Award for Best Chef: Southwest in 2015, making him the first pitmaster to receive this honor. His influence extends beyond the restaurant through his past PBS series “BBQ with Franklin” and
his MasterClass on Central Texas barbecue. He is also the co-author of “Franklin Barbecue: A Meat-Smoking Manifesto”, “Franklin Steak” and “Franklin Smoke”, books which delve into the intricacies of meat selection, smoking techniques, and the philosophy behind great barbecue. Franklin’s commitment to his craft and his approachable teaching style have solidified his status as a leading figure in American barbecue.