Melissa Cookston

Melissa Cookston is an American chef, author, and seven-time world American barbecue champion. Born in Ruleville, Mississippi in 1968, she grew up in Greenville and Pontotoc. Cookston began cooking barbecue in 1996 and quickly gained recognition, winning numerous competitions. In 2011, she opened her first restaurant, Memphis BBQ Company, which has locations in Mississippi and Georgia. Cookston's success continued, with two wins at the Memphis in May American Barbecue World Championship and the distinction of being the only female American barbecue world champion. In 2016, she opened her second restaurant, STEAK by Melissa, in Southaven, Mississippi, which unfortunately closed in 2020. Cookston's passion for food and barbecue has made her a renowned figure in the culinary world.