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.
People know me as the girl who is forever hovering over a grill, smoker or campfire with tongs in one hand and a glass of wine in the other.
I’m also the editor and publisher of GirlsCanGrill.com, an online magazine dedicated to sharing grilling tips and recipes to encourage more people to get outside and grill.
My Most Popular Recipes
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.
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.
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.
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, Swift Meats and Honeysuckle White.
FAST FACTS
- My brisket is ranked 5th in the world!
- 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.
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.
Team Girls Can Grill started participating in BBQ competitions in May 2017
2022 Nevada Barbecue Association Team of the Year
3rd Place
2021 Nevada Barbecue Association Pro KCBS Team of the Year
Reserve Grand Champion
2021 Nevada Barbecue Association Pro SCA Team of the Year
Reserve Grand Champion
2020 Nevada Barbecue Association Pro Team of the Year
Grand Champion
2019 Nevada Barbecue Association Pro Team of the Year
Reserve Grand Champion
2019 Nevada Barbecue Association Backyard Team of the Year
Reserve Grand Champion
2019 Arizona Barbecue Team of the Year
10th Overall, 6th chicken, 10th ribs, 4th pork, 13th brisket
2018 Nevada Barbecue Association Backyard Team of the Year
Reserve Grand Champion
2017 Nevada Barbecue Association Backyard Team of the Year
Reserve Grand Champion
Yuma – 2023
11th Overall
8th Ribs
7th Pork
Indio – 2022
10th Overall
1st Chicken
8th Pork
Jack Daniel’s World Championships – 2022
31st Overall
21st Pork
5th Brisket
Payson – 2022
Reserve Grand Champion
2nd Chicken
4th Ribs
2nd Brisket
Kanab – 2022
10th Overall
2nd Brisket
Reata Roundup – 2022
Grand Champion
4th Chicken
2nd Ribs
5th Pork
5th Brisket
Sparks – 2022
5th Chicken
7th Ribs
10th Pork
3rd Brisket
Best Dam – 2022
Grand Champion
1st Chicken
3rd Ribs
7th Pork
4th Brisket
SCA World Championships Ancillary – 2022
Tied for 11th Overall
Slab-O-Rama – 2022
9th Ribs
Indio – 2021
Grand Champion
7th Ribs
1st Pork
7th Brisket
Kanab – 2021
4th Pork
Starbase – 2021
Grand Champion
1st Ribs
2nd Sauce
Best Dam – 2021
8th Pork
3rd Brisket
Kanab – 2020
9th Pork
NorUt – 2020
4th Overall
6th Ribs
7th Brisket
Slab-O-Rama – 2020
1st Brisket
Red Rock BBQ – 2020
3rd Overall
1st Brisket
3rd Pork
Barbecue Stampede – 2019
10th Ribs
Mazatzal Grill Masters BBQ Competition – 2019
1st Pork
Western Legends Roundup – 2019
4th Overall
8th Chicken
1st Pork10th Brisket
Smokey Hayes – 2019
4th Overall
7th Ribs
2nd Pork
Slab-O-Rama– 2019
1st Chicken
Downtown Throwdown – 2018
8th Ribs
Viola’s Rib Cookoff – 2018
Grand Champion
Mazatzal Grill Masters BBQ Competition – 2018
6th Pork
Southern Utah BBQ Festival – 2018
8th Overall
10th Ribs
7th Pork
4th Brisket
Nevada Barbecue Association Spring Training – 2018
Grand Champion
5th Chicken
2nd Ribs
1st Pork
3rd Brisket
Downtown Throw Down – 2017
4th Chicken
11th Pork
Pigs 4 the Kids – 2017
4th Overall
5th Beans
2nd Hog Wild
4th Ribs
Best Dam BBQ – 2017
12th Brisket