About

We've been smoking delicious BBQ since 1989
EST. 2013
Desperado BBQ started in 2013 with our award winning sauces and rubs.
Steve Botkin was the first American pitmaster to teach our award winning BBQ classes in 2017 in Perth, Australia. He was also a guest pitmaster on Paula Deen's TV show "Positively Paula" BBQ'ing Inside.

Cooking Styles
We specialize in real bbq smoking whether it be KCBS bbq competition style or just your bbq backyard style.

Food Quality
When it comes to our bbq foods, we only use the best quality. It might be a more expensive but you deserve it.

Class Description

Learning how to bbq like a DESPERADO

There are many choices of barbecue classes in America and many good instructors. So how do you choose? If you're looking for a professional bbq instructor who loves to teach you don't need to look further.

Full Blown BBQ Class Description
This class is geared towards applying bbq 101 and competition-style BBQ techniques to your backyard cooking including food safety, wood pairing, meat selection, trimming, recipe injections, rubs, sprays, sauces, temperature control, bark formation, foiling meats, and determining doneness (Happy). The class will use our award winning DESPERADO smokers and focus on wood selection and fire control.

Lavon, Texas; In this seven and half-hour class, you will learn with awarding winning Pitmaster Steve Botkin how to prepare and smoke the different types of meats and sides.
Class includes morning coffee and rolls, all you can eat BBQ lunch of whole chicken, St. Louis style Spareribs, Rib Tips, Tri-Tip, Pork Butt, Beef Brisket.

Each student will take home a DESPERADO BBQ Pitmaster manual, and certificate of completion of DESPERADO's BBQ Pitmaster Class and become a official member of the Desperado Posse.

About BBQ Class

Would you like to learn how to BBQ like a DESPERADO Pitmaster who is also a Certified KCBS BBQ Judge?

In my BBQ 101 class I want to help you bbq better in your backyard for you and your family. Yes, it's a struggle for every new bbq pitmaster to guess and wonder if they are doing it right. Desperado in 2015 won the coveted KCBS Perfect 180 score in Brisket in a three way tie for first place competing against legendary bbq pro's Harry Soo, Myron Mixon and Moe Cason.

DESPERADO-Brisket--Horse Town Brew n Que Festival--Norco, CA--5/29/2015

  • Full Blown BBQ Class $399
  • Food safety
  • How to light a fire correctly
  • Wood Pairing
  • How to prepare Chicken, Ribs, Rib Tips, Pork Butt, Tri-Tip, Brisket
  • How to prepare injections
  • Detailed instructions on preparations and cooking methods
  • Equipment and Accessories
  • Cooking Brisket and Pork Butt with the best selection - cooking hot and fast or low and slow
  • Cooking St. Louis Ribs from a Spare Rib which includes trimming and making Rib Tips
  • Cooking backyard Spatchcocked Chicken
  • Cooking backyard Tri-Tip
  • Making homemade Carolina Coleslaw
  • Answering your grilling and BBQ problems and questions

    • Contact








          

    BBQ Class Dates

    Class Dates

    August 2026

    Date Description Price
    August 8th Classes located in Lavon, Texas. Full Blown BBQ Class, each class is limited to 10/12 people as this is a hands-on class.
    For Payment: Send payment from your bank using ZELLE.
    Use this email: TransferToZelle@gmail.com     		299.99
    August 15th Classes located in Lavon, Texas. Full Blown BBQ Class, each class is limited to 10/12 people as this is a hands-on class.
    For Payment: Send payment from your bank using ZELLE.
    Use this email: TransferToZelle@gmail.com     		299.99

    September 2026

    Date Description Price
    September 5th Classes located in Lavon, Texas. Full Blown BBQ Class, each class is limited to 10/12 people as this is a hands-on class.
    For Payment: Send payment from your bank using ZELLE.
    Use this email: TransferToZelle@gmail.com     		299.99
    September 12th Classes located in Lavon, Texas. Full Blown BBQ Class, each class is limited to 10/12 people as this is a hands-on class.
    For Payment: Send payment from your bank using ZELLE.
    Use this email: TransferToZelle@gmail.com     		299.99

    Each class is limited in size as this is a hands-on class with the pitmaster. The cost of each class is $199 per bbq student. Desperado reserves the right to change and cancel classes due to unfilled classes or a full refund if I cannot place you in a class because of my mistake.

    NO VIDEO RECORDING OF THIS CLASS BY STUDENTS IS ALLOWED, STRICTLY PROHIBITED! NOTES AND PICTURES CAN BE TAKEN AND IS ALLOWED.


    Desperado Class Policy

    I understand that sometimes people need to reschedule or cancel the class they registered for. I will try to accommodate rescheduling of registration dates whenever possible up to three weeks before your scheduled bbq class date. Once you get into the three week period of your scheduled class date, the following cancellation and rescheduling policy applies:
    3+ weeks before class (Day 15 & On) – Full Refund or Reschedule
    2+ weeks before class (Day 8 to Day 14) – *50% Refund (*Note Rescheduling Policy Below)
    1+ week before class (Day 1 to Day 7)– No Refunds (I have already purchased all meats and materials for the class. This also applies to no shows)

    *Desperado Rescheduling Policy

    If you are more than 3+ weeks out from your scheduled class date, I will gladly reschedule you for a future date. *If you are within the 2+ week window of your scheduled class and need to reschedule, I will do my best to fill your spot. If I am unable to fill your spot, I will unfortunately have to charge you for the empty seat in class. Most of the time I can find a replacement from either the wait list or a student in a future class. This rule is intended to discourage rescheduling the last minute and leaving me insufficient time to fill your spot.

    There are NO refunds if I am not notified 7 days prior to class that you cannot attend.

    .....I will email you the class information on the Monday before class....
    Be sure to check your spam folder or contact me at 714-276-5845