Kevin Bludso

Career Kevin Bludso trained at Bishop College before working in corrections in Los Angeles, first as a corrections officer and then as a parole agent at the Department of Corrections in Los Angeles, California. That background shaped a steady, observant way of working: discipline first, then timing, then the ability to hold a room without forcing it. Barbecue became the place where that same discipline turned visible.

As owner and pitmaster at Bludso's BBQ in Compton, California (2008), Kevin Bludso built his name through repetition and control—one fire-lit plate at a time, with the pit serving as the measure of consistency and judgment. Today, Kevin serves as a judge of The American Barbecue Showdown (Netflix) (since 2020), carrying that same standard into a public role. The work changes form, but not expectation: read the product, assess the fire, and keep the criteria clear. - Judge — The American Barbecue Showdown (Netflix) (2020–present) - Corrections officer / parole agent — Department of Corrections, Los Angeles, California - Owner / pitmaster — Bludso's BBQ, Compton, California (2008) Education: Bishop College

The signature here is smoke managed with discipline. At Bludso's BBQ in Compton, California (2008), Kevin Bludso’s reputation came from steady pit work rather than spectacle: careful tending, consistent output, and a style of barbecue that earned trust plate after plate.

The public side of the work now includes judgment as much as production. Since 2020, Kevin Bludso has served as a judge of The American Barbecue Showdown (Netflix), where authority comes from experience in the pit and the ability to apply it cleanly. Kevin's honors include Steve Harvey Hoodie Award.