Following the brutal “Core Four Cook-Off” challenge and the elimination of John Jackson and Connie DeSousa, Pitmasters 2026 has officially entered its final stretch, with just four teams remaining in the fight for the inaugural championship.

The remaining teams are Susie Bulloch & Christie Vanover, Grecia Ramos & Esaul Ramos, Ruben Santana & Hector Garate, and Jeremy Yoder & Al Frugoni. With the competition now down to the Top 4, every mistake carries enormous consequences, and one team is beginning to separate itself from the pack.

Based on their performances throughout the season, Susie Bulloch and Christie Vanover are emerging as the team to beat.

The duo has demonstrated one of the most complete skill sets in the competition. Rather than relying on one signature strength, they have consistently shown that they can handle different proteins, cooking styles and demanding live-fire conditions. That versatility could become crucial as the remaining challenges become increasingly unpredictable.

Their biggest advantage may be their ability to adapt under pressure.

Throughout the competition, the pitmasters have been forced to make rapid adjustments to temperatures, cooking times and fire management. The Core Four challenge was perhaps the clearest example of how quickly a strong performance can collapse. Teams had to manage chicken, pork ribs, pork shoulder and brisket simultaneously, requiring precise timing and constant attention to their pits.

For Susie and Christie, however, those kinds of chaotic conditions have not appeared to derail their momentum.

That consistency is becoming increasingly valuable as the field gets smaller.

The elimination of John Jackson and Connie DeSousa also demonstrated just how unforgiving the competition has become. The professional barbecue duo entered the Core Four challenge with considerable experience, but struggled when conditions spiraled out of control. Their brisket ultimately failed to meet the required standard, sending them out of the competition.

Now, there is virtually no room for another team to make a similar mistake.

Grecia Ramos and Esaul Ramos remain dangerous contenders, particularly because of their ability to deliver flavorful barbecue while maintaining strong technical execution. Meanwhile, Ruben Santana and Hector Garate have shown that they cannot be counted out, especially when a challenge rewards creativity and aggressive decision-making.

Jeremy Yoder and Al Frugoni may also have the ability to make a late-season surge. At this stage, however, they will need to turn consistency into dominance if they want to overtake the teams currently ahead of them.

That is what makes Susie and Christie such a compelling championship favorite.

They are not necessarily winning every single moment in spectacular fashion. Instead, they have repeatedly demonstrated the ability to stay composed, recover from difficult situations and produce strong barbecue across different challenges.

And in a competition built around fire, timing and pressure, stability could ultimately be more valuable than one spectacular victory.

With only four teams remaining, the margin for error is shrinking rapidly. One bad brisket, one missed temperature window or one poorly managed fire could completely change the championship picture.

For now, though, Susie Bulloch and Christie Vanover appear to have the strongest momentum heading into the final battles.

If they can maintain the same level of consistency when the pressure reaches its peak, the duo could be on course to make history as the first-ever Pitmasters champions