Chef
Grant Pinkerton
- Discipline
- Chef
- Based in
- Houston, Texas, United States
i. Biography
Coming Up
Lamar High School and The University of Texas at Austin are the two early markers in Grant Pinkerton’s training, and they sit behind a practice built on timing, repetition, and attention to the fire. Those are basic requirements in barbecue, where the work asks for patience in one hand and precision in the other. As owner and pitmaster of Pinkerton's Barbecue, Grant Pinkerton works from the center of the operation, keeping the house, the pit, and the standard in the same line of sight.
Where They Are Now
Ownership and pit work stay joined in the same routine at Pinkerton's Barbecue, where Grant Pinkerton manages both the business and the smoke. That combination demands a level head, because in barbecue the service, the meat, and the pace all depend on one another. When the person running the house is also the one tending the pit, the restaurant’s point of view stays direct and consistent. Texas barbecue is the base, but the named dishes show a kitchen comfortable with range inside that framework. Bananas Foster Banana Pudding brings dessert into the conversation with a familiar sweetness, while Jambalaya widens the menu without losing the restaurant’s grounding. The result is a table that keeps the smoke at the center while allowing other flavors to sit beside it.
Signature
Grant's signature dishes include Candy Paint-Glazed Pork Ribs, Bananas Foster Banana Pudding, Jambalaya, Smoked Brisket, Pickles, and White Onions. The set moves across different registers, but the throughline is the same: smoke, contrast, and a clear sense of balance. Candy Paint-Glazed Pork Ribs bring gloss and richness; Smoked Brisket, Pickles, White Onions works the classic Texas equation of deep meat, sharp pickle, and clean onion. In Pinkerton’s hands, these plates read as part of the same language rather than separate statements.
Honors
Grant's honors include Forbes 30 Under 30: Food & Drink (2018).
Profile updated July 2026
FAQ
Asked of Grant
Where did Grant Pinkerton train or study?
Grant Pinkerton trained at Lamar High School and The University of Texas at Austin.
What recognition has Grant Pinkerton received?
Forbes 30 Under 30: Food & Drink (2018).
