Hector Garate

Pitmaster, Palmira Barbecue

Hector Garate, a Pitmaster in the Craft-Barbecue scene, specializes in creating sustainable farm-to-table barbecue using old-school wood fire techniques infused with Puerto Rican influences. Born in Puerto Rico, he gained early exposure to whole animal cookery, which has profoundly influenced his culinary journey. Hector’s expertise lies in smoking beef cheeks, whole hog, and crafting house-made sausages. In his quest to produce the finest barbecue, Garate has dedicated his spare time to constructing custom cooking appliances, notably an offset smoker and a whole hog smoker. Partnering with Peculiar Pig Farms and Creekstone Farms, Hector sources the most sustainable farm-to-table smoked meats for Charleston, SC, under his award-winning brand, Palmira Barbecue.

You can find me on Instagram: @palmirabbq