Estimated read time: 4-5 minutes
HERRIMAN — A Herriman teen is on her way to earning the title of "grill master," as she blazes her way through national grilling competitions.
Sixteen-year-old MacKenna York got into grilling after watching her dad compete and seeing the community he was building around himself. She always loved cooking and found grilling as a great way to hang out with her dad.
In the last three years, MacKenna has competed in more than 40 cook-offs, where she has mainly grilled steak but has also prepared side dishes and desserts.
She has competed twice in the adult division of the Steak Cookoff Association World Championships, won two steak championships with the Steak Cookoff Association and was the grand champion for the 2024 Slab-O-Rama Kids Que in Bullhead City, Arizona.
"I think grilling is just an amazing life skill that everyone can use," she said.
In 2023, Girls Can Grill founder Christie Vanover approached MacKenna and offered her a sponsorship through the Girls Can Grill Pro Team.
"Because there's not many women in the grilling community, and she is one of the more prominent figures, she wanted to kind of get my name out there," MacKenna said about Vanover.
Vanover always loved cooking and shared her recipes online. About a decade ago, she started grilling, and once she realized she was grilling a majority of her recipes, she decided to change her website to Girls Can Grill, where she shares recipes, tips and expertise on all things barbecue.
"I realized there weren't a lot of females out there who were in the grill space," she said. "I didn't really see myself in the space — it always seemed like burly guys who hang out and drink beer kind of a thing. But I really loved grilling and the results of grilling, so I elbowed my way in there and put a seat at the table."
As Vanover's business grew, she knew she wanted to help the young women who were just starting out, especially since barbecue competitions can get pricey quickly.
"I started seeing MacKenna at competitions, and she just was always so excited and so happy and just had the best attitude ever. But I know it's a lot for anybody to compete," she said, noting how expensive competitions must be for both MacKenna and her dad.
"Once my business started to succeed and I was financially able, I was like, 'You know what, I want to help her out to make sure she doesn't ever stop,' because I didn't want money to be a barrier. I thought if I can help her in some way to keep her drive going, then I wanted to do that," Vanover said.
With Vanover's help, MacKenna is able to compete in more competitions.
"She was my first recipient, and she crushed it, went to world championships this year, and represented amazingly," Vanover said, adding that MacKenna also competes against adults now, which is "really impressive."
"I'm super proud of MacKenna. She continues to rock it, and I'm really looking forward to seeing what she does in the future," Vanover said.
This year, Vanover expanded her sponsorships to a total of nine girls from four states to provide financial assistance with competition costs.
The girls on the pro team "have really impressed me mainly with their attitude. It doesn't necessarily mean they're the best cooks, but their attitude and their drive really excites me," Vanover said.
Vanover said she didn't know any of the girls until she met them at competitions, but now they've become "a big family."
When Vanover entered the grilling scene, there weren't a ton of women who she could aspire to be like. But now, she's trying to be that person for the next generation of women.
"I see these young girls with no fear, driving forward, and I just want to help them continue with that," Vanover said.
MacKenna said the partnership with Vanover has helped her get out of her comfort zone and meet more people and women in the grilling community.
"It gives us a community that we can all be in and be a part of," she said.
Vanover said when at grilling competitions, everyone becomes family. They hang out and eat together, share tips and tricks, and if someone forgot an ingredient, everyone is more than willing to help out.
"I was nervous that teams may look down upon me and not think that I could hold my own, but it was completely the opposite. They are the most embracing community — it doesn't matter your gender, your race, your creed, your sexual orientation, the barbecue community loves everybody," she said.
MacKenna said it can sometimes be overwhelming when the community is mostly men and adults, but everyone is welcoming and willing to help. A lot of times, people at the competition are excited to have teenagers compete because it helps the community know it can continue to grow with the newer generations, she said.
For anyone interested in grilling, she says they shouldn't be scared to put themselves out there.
"I would love to make this a career. I've always been interested in the culinary field, and in the future I'd like to open up a restaurant or food truck, probably barbecue based. I definitely see myself continuing to compete for many years," MacKenna said.
