United Supermarkets’ new smoker to support culinary students across Permian Basin

United Supermarkets and Market Street rolled out a brand-new, custom-built smoker that will be used by culinary students across the Permian Basin.

“For a long time, we have loaned our own smokers to culinary students across the region to help them with competitions and practice,” said John Jameson, regional vice president for The United Family. “Now, with this new smoker, students across the area will have an opportunity to use a top-of-the-line BBQ pit made by one of the best pitmasters in Texas. We can’t wait to see what they create! We just hope they’ll share some.”

The smoker was built by Arnis Robbins, pitmaster of Texas Monthly Top 10 barbeque joint Evie Mae’s BBQ based in Wolfforth, Texas, and is valued around $20,000.

It was recently presented to culinary arts students in the Ector County ISD Career and Technical Education program. According to the school district, the ECISD Culinary Arts BBQ team will be the first group of students in the region to use the new smoker as their state competition approaches. In addition to the smoker, United Supermarkets and Market Street donated a gift card of $1,000 to the BBQ team so they can purchase meat and other supplies in preparation for the state competition.

The Midland ISD culinary program will also receive a $1,000 gift card for its program.

Robbins, who attended the recent presentation to Ector ISD students, offered students a brief workshop on some of his now famous BBQ techniques.

“Ector County ISD is thrilled to be the first culinary arts program in the Permian Basin to use this new custombuilt smoker,” said Ryan Merritt, executive director for career & technical education for ECISD. “It is stunning, and we are deeply grateful to The United Family and to Arnis Robbins for their support. Career & Technical Education is vital to the future of our region, and when industry leaders join forces with education leaders it creates limitless opportunities for students.