Houston rodeo cook-off 2025

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- What's a surefire sign it's rodeo cook-off time? Just look for the white tents dotting the parking lot around NRG Stadium.

The World's Championship Bar-B-Que Contest for 2024 kicked off Thursday and will continue through Saturday.

That's the official name, but if you're new to the Houston area, "cook-off" to refer to the event works just fine.

And what an event it is.

Every year, teams cook to compete for top honors in the following categories: Brisket, Ribs, Chicken, Go Texan, Dutch Oven Dessert and the Open Contest.

Winning titles include Grand Champion Overall and Reserve Champion.

For 2024, more than 250 teams are competing, and they don't just come from Texas.

In fact, the Mexican Pit Masters team traveled to Houston from Monterrey, Mexico.

In 2023, they were a finalist in the brisket competition and took third place overall in the barbecue competition, according to Houston First.

But there's another reason the

houston livestock show and rodeo facts

houston livestock show rodeo cookoff