HOUSTON — Before the cowboys and cowgirls compete during the three weeks of RodeoHouston, chefs and restaurants had their own competition Sunday night at Rodeo Uncorked!
The Roundup and Best Bites Competition features premiere food and wine from all over the world and some of the best chefs and restauranteurs from Houston. One of the judges tells KHOU 11 News the food was appetizer-heavy, while several award-winning wines were served.
Staff estimated thousands of people were in attendance on Sunday night.
“This is quintessential Houston, rodeo, food and barbecue, we get to showcase our restaurants,” John Solomon of KP’s Kitchen said. It's not just an exciting time for the businesses but for the people and even the judges who get to enjoy the delicious food and wine.
“Rodeo season is a part of who we are and we enjoy sharing it with people outside of Houston,” Colleen Ernst said.
A longtime judge said Uncorked has become one of her favorite events as a part of Rodeo season in Houston. Over 100 signature dishes were served from the area’s top restaurants.
“This year it seems like it’s even bigger, better, seems like it’s more diverse, and I love the diversity,” Felice Sloan, a Houston lifestyle blogger said she’s been a judge for over 10 years. Although she couldn’t share her favorites, she enjoyed everything including servings of nachos, ceviche, lettuce wraps and more.
Import companies like Winebow Imports were happy to present wine from Chile, the featured region for Uncorked 2024.
“We get to show those stories from all around the world. Wine kind of connects the earth, it connects us all to what agriculture can do and that’s what the rodeo stands for as well,” Jacob Fairchild, territory manager with Winebow Imports told KHOU his company won for best wine import company.
During the Rodeo which kicks off next week, Champion Wine Garden will feature some of the champion wines that were served during Uncorked. You can learn more about Uncorked on the RodeoHouston website.
2024 Uncorked! Roundup & Best Bites winners
People’s Choice Award
- 1st place: Grazia Italian Kitchen
- 2nd place: Cotton Culinary
Outstanding Showmanship Award
- 1st place: Eculent
- 2nd place: Sheshe Treats
Tasty Tradition Award
- 1st place: Messina Hof Harvest Green Winery & Kitchen – mushrooms stuffed with goat cheese, mascarpone, ricotta and gruyere cheese
- 2nd place: Cultivated F+B – buckshot caramel stracciatella ice cream with praline and whiskey caramel
Trailblazer Appetizer Award
- 1st place: Pier 6 Seafood – wood-grilled coconut shrimp
- 2nd place: Goode Co. – campechana
- 3rd place: Loro – curried brisket rice
Lone Star Entrée Award
- 1st place: Raising Cane’s – chicken fingers on garlic butter Texas toast with Cane’s sauce
- 2nd place: Capital Grille – Kona crusted dry-aged sirloin finished with a shallot butter sauce and au gratin potatoes
- 3rd place: Grazia Italian Kitchen – RC Ranch smoked wagyu chuck eye pancetta risotto topped with a blueberry, rosemary garlic port reduction
Two-steppin’ Dessert Award
- 1st place: Egghaus Gourmet – strawberry tres leches croissant
- 2nd place: 1848 handcrafted heritage ice cream – raspberry white chocolate & vanilla verrine
- 3rd place: Guzel Cakes – perfect love vanilla pudding cake with strawberry cheesecake
Rookie Award
Money Cat – bistecbao Filipeno inspired bao with braised beef chuck, calamansi aoili, pickled red onion, cilantro and chicharron