Chef John Bates

Interstellar BBQ | Michelin Star Recipient
With nearly 30 years of experience as a cook and hospitality professional, John Bates is the chef and fire tender at InterStellar BBQ—and the force behind some of Austin's most beloved concepts, including Yellow Bell Tacos, Deft Pies, The Noble Pig and Noble Catering. He opened InterStellar BBQ in February 2019, cooking low and slow over post oak, and the accolades followed swiftly. Texas Monthly ranked InterStellar BBQ among the top 10 on its prestigious “50 Best BBQ Joints in Texas” list in both 2021 and 2025, including a No. 2 ranking in 2021 and a No. 6 ranking in 2025. In 2024, the restaurant was awarded a Michelin star, making it one of only a handful of American-style barbecue joints in the world to earn that distinction. At InterStellar BBQ, Bates celebrates the flavors and history of Texas barbecue, carrying that tradition to Team Texas at SMOKE.