Most people consider the barbecue cook-off the official start of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, but foodies and oenophiles know it’s time to giddyup when Rodeo Uncorked! Roundup & Best Bites Competition pulls into town.
The 23rd annual wine and food extravaganza attracted another sold-out crowd of about 6,000 on Sunday, February 22 to sample dishes from more than 100 Houston area restaurants and culinary businesses competing for the top bite at NRG Center. Those flavorful samples were washed down by pours from nearly 500 award-winning wines from the Rodeo’s annual International Wine Competition. In other words, guests could chomp on a tomahawk steak paired with a glug of Chimney Rock Cabernet Sauvignon Tomahawk Vineyards (the wine competition’s Grand Champion Best of Show winner).
The Best Bites competition was judged by a panel of food experts and local media and culinary influencers. Eventgoers also got to vote on their favorite bite for the populist People’s Choice Award. The buildup to RodeoHouston continues this weekend with the World’s Championship Bar-B-Que Contest before the Rodeo officially opens at NRG Park on March 3 and continues through March 22.
2026 BEST BITES WINNERS
People’s Choice Award:
1st Place: Cotton Culinary (The Huntsman’s Harvest)
2nd Place: Gus’s Fried Chicken (Fried Chicken)
Outstanding Showmanship Award:
1st Place: Creole Kitchen and Daiquiris (Creole Heaven)
2nd Place: SheShe Treats (Iced Sugar Cookies)
Tasty Tradition Award:
1st Place: Coppa Osteria (Burrata Tartufo)
2nd Place: Toro Toro Houston (Flamed Tomahawk)
Trailblazer Appetizer Award:
1st Place: Robinette Company Caterers (Cheddar Raspberry Bite topped with jalapeno bacon)
2nd Place: Deuce of Spades Catering & Events (Seafood Pasta)
3rd Place: Flora Mexican Kitchen (Cochinita Pibil)
Lone Star Entrée Award:
1st Place: House of Blues (Short Rib Rojo)
2nd Place: Southern Yankee Crafthouse (Chicken Pot Pie)
3rd Place: Raising Cane’s (Chicken Finger with Cane’s Sauce & Garlic Butter Texas Toast)
Two-Steppin’ Dessert Award:
1st Place: Lemond Kitchen (Louisiana Bread Pudding)
2nd Place: Guzel Cakes (Perfect Love Cheesecake)
3rd Place: Kendal & Kelby’s Cheesecakes (Apple Crumble Cheesecake Stuffed Cookie)
Rookie Award:
Tejas Brewery (Truffle Burger Slider)
