Kevin Bludso

Kevin Bludso (born 1965) is an American chef, restaurateur, and television personality. He was born in 1965 in Compton, California, and grew up in Corsicana, Texas, where he was introduced to Texas-style barbecue by his aunt. Before entering the food industry, Bludso worked as a correctional officer for thirteen years. In 2008, he opened Bludso's BBQ in Compton and served as its pitmaster. Bludso also owns restaurants in Hollywood and Melbourne, Australia. Since 2020, he has been a judge on the Netflix series The American Barbecue Showdown. Bludso currently resides in Texas and is a fan of the Dallas football team.