Calgary restaurant owners John Jackson and Connie DeSousa will appear on the Food Network competition show Pitmasters starting Monday, July 6, 2026, competing against nine teams for a $50,000 prize. The duo, known for their live-fire cooking expertise, were approached by the American network to join the series, which challenges pitmasters to cook over a 24-hour period in the Utah desert.
Competition Details and Format
The show features nine competing teams, all elite pitmasters and live-fire chefs. Jackson and DeSousa are the only Canadian participants. The competition spans six days, with teams that advance facing another 24-hour round of cooking and judging. The winner receives $50,000.
“We were very excited, especially for the opportunity to compete together because this is actually a team challenge,” DeSousa said. “So there’s nine competing teams, and all of us are competing for $50,000.”
Background and Expertise
Jackson and DeSousa own several Calgary restaurants, including Charcut (downtown and University District), Connie and John’s Pizza, and Charbar in East Village. They are SAIT graduates who began working together in 1999. Their experience with live fire—cooking over wood or charcoal—caught the network’s attention. DeSousa, known as the “ballerina butcher,” and Jackson specialize in meat preparation and butchery.
“We’ve been working on live fire for multiple years, and that part of it I feel is our biggest strength, being not only chefs, but being butchers,” said Jackson.
Adapting to the Environment
Filmed in the Utah desert, the competition required the chefs to adapt to using hardwoods like oak, whereas they typically use birch in Calgary. Their long partnership helped them stand out. “John and I have worked together since 1999 and we know everything about each other’s sentences all the time,” DeSousa said. “We’re always in each other’s heads. So it’s that really cohesive culinary chemistry together that works 100 per cent in our favour.”
Physical and Mental Stamina
The 24-hour format tested their endurance, but the pair were well-prepared. In 2025, they ran the New York City Marathon together and prioritize mental health. “The good thing is Connie and I are really at good points in our life when it comes to our mental and physical health,” Jackson said. “We are in great shape. We also really look out for each other’s mental health. When each say I’m down, Connie will help bring me up. We take turns.”
Despite their fitness, the challenge was grueling. “It was one of the hardest things we’ve ever done,” DeSousa said. “We were so exhausted, but we are really proud of the show and what we featured on it.”
Viewing Parties
Calgarians are invited to watch the show at Charbar on Mondays at 7 p.m. The pair cannot reveal the outcome, urging viewers to tune in. “It’s the elite pitmasters and live fire teams that we’re going up against and we’re the only Canadians,” Jackson explained.
