Christie Vanover

Hi. I’m Christie Vanover, the head cook and award-winning competitive pitmaster for Team Girls Can Grill. I have won multiple grand championships and have dozens of top-ten category finishes.

I competed in Season 4 of Food Network’s BBQ Brawl. I’ve also starred in and produced several how-to videos for Ninja’s outdoor grill line and appeared in their Woodfire Grill infomercials.

I have cooked on dozens of grills and have around 30 in my backyard at any given time. I’m an expert grill reviewer for BBQ Guys and develop recipes for several companies within the grilling and BBQ industry.

I established GirlsCanGrill.com in 2015 to share grilling tips and recipes to encourage more people to get outside and grill. The site currently has around 1.8 million annual readers, more than 1,000 pro tips, more than 400 grilling recipes and over 7,500 reviews.

My Most Popular Recipes

Grilled Chick-Fil-A Nuggets

The No-Fail Way to Make Smoked Brisket

How to Grill Prime Rib Roast

Smoked St. Louis style ribs

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History

I’ve always loved to cook, but I didn’t start grilling until my 20s, when Steven Raichlen’s books and Bobby Flay’s TV shows made me realize that anyone can cook with fire. My first attempts were horrible, but my father-in-law took me under his wing and showed me his Southern tricks-of-the-trade.

Since those early lessons, I have traveled the world and learned grilling techniques in Asia, Europe, Central America and throughout the United States. While living near Austin, Texas, I realized that grilling had become my way of life.

Girls Can Grill was launched in 2015 as a way to motivate other women to grab hold of the tongs. Through this site and my growing social media community, girls and guys come to Girls Can Grill for tips, recipes and fun BBQ banter.

I have master’s and bachelor’s degrees in Journalism and Mass Communications and worked in the public relations and news industry for more than 20 years for the U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force and NBC. I was also a park ranger for the National Park Service for eight years. When I’m not working, you can find me in my RV, glamping in America’s national parks and cooking over a campfire under the stars.

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My Spice Line

In 2020, I launched three of my award-winning spice blends: brisket, chicken and pork. They are the recipes I use when I compete on the BBQ circuit and when cooking at home. Now, thanks to my partnership with Spiceology, you can purchase small or large bottles for your next cook.

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Media

My recipes and story have been shared in several media outlets, including the Wall Street Journal, CNN, Salon, Food52, Tasting Table, Apartment Therapy, Well + Good and MSN. Visit my media page to read the articles and download podcasts I’ve appeared in.

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Partnerships

Christie Vanover and Girls Can Grill have teamed up with dozens of leading companies in the grilling and barbecue industry, including Ninja Kitchen, BBQ Guys, Cuisinart, Lodge Cast Iron, Thermoworks, Oklahoma Joes, Hunsaker Smokers, Cowboy Charcoal, Breeo, PK Grills, Cutco Knives, Blackstone, Barbecues Galore, Grillworks, Jack Daniels, Hestan, Camp Chef, Charbroil, Weber and many more.

I have also partnered with the National Cattleman’s Beef Association, the National Pork Council, the National Turkey Federation, Certified Angus Beef, Snake River Farms, Swift Meats and Honeysuckle White.

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FAST FACTS

• My brisket was ranked 5th in the world in 2022
• Kansas City Barbecue Society Certified Barbeque Judge 
• I have judged the Jack Daniel’s World Championships and American Royal
• Pitmaster for KCBS Team Girls Can Grill
• I’ve cooked on dozens of grills and smokers and currently have more than 30 in my yard
• Masters of Beef Advocacy Top of the Class Graduate
• Favorite cut of meat? Ribeye, more specifically spinalis
• Gas or Charcoal? Gas on weekdays, charcoal on weekends
• Dry or Wet? I don’t use a lot of sauce. Good BBQ doesn’t need it
• Strangest thing you’ve grilled? Cinnamon rolls or alligator
• What region of BBQ do you prefer? I like it all, baby, from coast-to-coast and sea to shining sea
• What wood are you smoking with these days? I’m on a cherry kick these days; it’s great with beef
• What are you grilling on? My rotation of grills is ever-changing, because I’m always testing new grills

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Let’s Work Together

Girls Can Grill is dedicated to getting more women behind the grill, and I love working with brands that have that same vision. If you represent a brand that is ready to expand your market beyond the guys, contact me. I’d love to discuss how we could work together. Visit my services page for details and access to my media kit.

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Team Girls Can Grill started participating in BBQ competitions in May 2017