HOUSTON — It’s a staple of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo – the Bar-B-Que cookoff. And on Saturday, an overall winner was crowned, as well as winners in different categories of barbecue.
Of the 250 teams competing, the Taste of South Texas BBQ was named overall grand champion. The reserve grand champion was Rancho Cerveza.
Taste of South Texas BBQ also won the brisket category at the cookoff, with second place going to Telstar Cookers and third was Texas Lonestar Cookers.
As for ribs, Pitmaker – BBQ Addiction was named champion, with Victoria County Go Texan coming in second and third place going to Calhoun County Go Texan.
When it came to chicken, Chicken Fried took home top honors followed by S&S Club, Inc. in second and RIVS Smoke & Grill coming in at third.
The Go Texan grand champion was Victoria County Go Texans and the reserve grand champion was Metro Go Texan 4/Chase-N-Moore Smoke.
In the Dutch Oven Dessert category, it was S&S Club, Inc. coming out on top, followed by Tejas Cookers in second and Brew Crew Cookers in third.
As for the Open Contest, it was Texas Cowtown Cookers crowned champions. Paloma Blanca was second and Floyd, Morrow & Larkin came in third.
In the Jr. Cook-off, Shylyn Keith was the champion, followed by Hailynn Speichinger in second and Brodie Daniel in third. The Jr. Cook-off was open to anyone from eight to 14 years old. They were given a steak to prepare and judged on appearance and presentation as well as tenderness and taste.
As for specialty awards, Desperados Cook Team won Best Façade, Cherokee County Go Texans had the Best Overall Theme and the BOHICA BBQ Cooking Team won Best Skit.