Daniel Figueroa IV
Apr 10, 2025
Chris Sarandon, Academy-award nominated actor and host of "Cooking by Heart," will interview John Markus, creator of 'BBQ Pitmasters' at Sacred Heart University.
Oscar-nominated actor and host of the “Cooking by Heart” podcast Chris Sarandon is set to host Emmy-winning writer, producer and creator of TLC’s “BBQ Pitmasters” John Markus during a live interview in Fairfield this month — and there will be snacks.
Sarandon, star of films like “Child’s Play,” “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” “The Princess Bride” and more, will interview Markus on April 27 at 3 p.m. at the Sacred Heart University Community Theatre in Fairfield. The interview will be taped and released as an episode of "Cooking by Heart."
Markus was first known as a writer and producer for TV shows like “The Larry Sanders Show,” “A Different World” and the “Cosby Show.” But it was a bad meal that launched the next stage of his career, Markus said on his website.
According to Markus, SNL alum and former U.S. senator Al Franken served Markus some bad ribs. Some bad barbecue ribs “set him on a quest: what is true low-and-slow Southern-style BBQ, and how does one make it,” it said on his site.
Markus went on to study under championship pitmasters like Paul Kirk, known in the food world as the “Baron of Barbecue.” His own pitmaster prowess grew over the next few decades. In 2009, he created TLC’s "BBQ Pitmasters," a barbecue competition show that ran until 2015. In 2022, Markus was part of a prestigious class of Barbecue Hall of Fame inductees that included Joe Trager, founder of the popular brand Traeger Grills.
It won’t just be about barbecue, either. A representative for Sarandon said a local Connecticut pitmaster will provide ticket holders with a barbecue treat.
The event is part of “Cooking by Heart’s” third season, launched in October. Sarandon, a Connecticut resident, launched his food-based podcast in the fall of 2022. In it, Sarandon invites guests, usually famous chefs like Jacques Pepin, or film stars like his ex-wife Susan Sarandon, to talk about the food and meals that changed their lives.
Season 2 of “Cooking by Heart” made national headlines when Chris and Susan Sarandon reunited for the first time since the ‘70s. Guests like chef Rocco DiSpirito and late actor Ken Page, who voiced characters in films like “All Dogs Go to Heaven” and “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” also appeared during the second season.
Tickets can be purchased at the SHU Community Theatre website for $35.
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