Recipe Exchange: Melissa Cookston’s provoleta with chimichurri, roasted cherry tomatoes
Renowned as the “winningest woman in competition barbecue,” Melissa Cookston is the only woman to be crowned World BBQ Champion (a title she has won seven times) and was the first woman inducted into the BBQ Hall of Fame.
While known for her award-winning barbecue, Cookston likes to grill more than just pork.
Her latest cookbook “Fanning The Flames: Recipes and Tall Tales from BBQ Hall of Famer Melissa Cookston” explores the art of cooking with flames featuring global flavors and ingredients that have inspired her along the way. The book was published in April 2026.
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Melissa Cookston Memphis BBQ Co. Recipe Exchange Subscriber OnlyThank you for reading The Daily Memphian. Your support is critical.
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Jennifer Chandler
A cookbook author and former restaurateur, Jennifer Chandler has been writing about food and dining for more than 25 years.
She is the author of four cookbooks: “The Southern Pantry Cookbook,” “Simply Salads,” “Simply Suppers,” and “Simply Grilling.” While she boasts a degree from Le Cordon Bleu, this Memphis native is about making real food accessible for real families.
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