From the sweet and savory smells to the boisterous hype men posted up like southern preachers outside of each booth on Art Rooney Avenue and the towering metal frames with countless banners and accolades from barbecue festivals, Pittsburgh’s annual Kickoff and Rib Fest dripped with tangy barbecue sauce — and a distinct culture.

The annual free-to-enter, five-day barbecue competition drawing talent from across the country fired up the heat of competition Thursday as 12 nationally known pitmasters began facing off in culinary combat, offering their ribs, brisket, pork, soulful southern sides and more to visitors on the North Shore.

By then, competitors were already fixated on taking home coveted Pa. Pork Pitmasters Awards.

“Help me come figure out how I keep winning all the time!” shouted

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