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Robbie Richter and Hill Country Part Ways

Texas legend Rick Schmidt passed the log to Robbie Richter (right); now he passes it to Pete Daversa.
Texas legend Rick Schmidt passed the log to Robbie Richter (right); now he passes it to Pete Daversa. Photo: Josh Ozersky


It’s a sad day for New York barbecue: Hill Country and pitmaster Robbie Richter have parted ways, a mutual decision both sides say was amicable. Richter, whose salt-and-pepper-powered Texas-style barbecue has been a huge critical success, says “there are new barbecue horizons, new directions, a world of flavors and techniques that I need to start exploring.” What might those be? Richter won’t say – yet. Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Hill Country owner Marc Glosserman calls Richter “a passionate cook and a great champion of barbecue.” Pitmaster duties will be taken over by Pete Daversa, a Blue Smoke veteran who’s been running basic barbecue operations under Richter since Hill Country opened.

Related: The Mystery of the Pitmasters Stymies the ‘Times’

Robbie Richter and Hill Country Part Ways