It’s time to pull out the Justins, Stetsons and turquoise jewelry. Rodeo Houston has begun its season of events, kicking off with Rodeo Uncorked Roundup & Best Bites Competition 2023 which took place at NRG Center February 19. Thousands of folks in Western finery filled the massive space, eager to try award-winning wines and delicious nibbles from some of Houston’s best chefs and food purveyors. We were part of that fortunate crowd and we got a first-hand look from the judges’ stage.
In addition to a number of Houston food writers and bloggers, there were local newscasters and television personalities including Great Day Houston‘s Deborah Duncan in a snazzy Southwestern-patterned dress and Len Cannon (KHOU) and Anthony Yanez (KPRC) decked out in cowboy gear. Owen Conflenti (KPRC) served as emcee for the evening.
I had Classic Rock Bob as my judging companion for the evening and we were joined at our table by former Houston Oilers defensive end, Sean Jones. Our smiling Rodeo volunteer, Jill, brought us plate after plate of appetizers, entree bites and wee desserts. With so many tasty plates being put in front of us and quickly whisked away, it was hard to keep up mentally with the flavors and the presentations. It was a blind tasting so we were unaware of which restaurants we were sampling but Classic Rock Bob and I really enjoyed a yummy meatball and a loaded corn tortilla taco. I particularly like the braised short rib over polenta that we later learned was from North Italia. It won third place in the Lone Star Entree Award.
After the judging, we walked around with our glasses of wine, trying to imagine eating more of the amazing bites available. It was no easy task after sampling so many treats at the judging table but we managed to grab a flavorful pork belly bao from the newly opened Jun by Kin and a sushi bite from TEN Sushi. I was blown away by the Popcorn and Butter candy from Cacao and Cardamom which won third place for the Two-Steppin’ Dessert Award. I should have taken a cue from another attendee and loaded up my plate with more of Annie Rupani’s spectacularly pretty sweets.
Unfortunately, Classic Rock Bob and I never really made it to the wine booths dotted throughout the massive space. Our glasses had been filled in the judges’ room with Skyfall Wines Cabernet Sauvignon 2020. The wine was recommended to us by our tablemates, Chris Kelso and Rob Cook, the duo behind The Real Estate Rat Pack Show at 100.7 FM. It won a silver this year in its category of Cabernet Sauvignon ($14-$16). For that price range, this cab from Washington delivers more than one would expect.
By the time we hit David Skinner’s corn-crazy booth for Eculent, the Shrimp on Corn Butter was all gone, though a friend of ours rubbed it in that he had enjoyed several samples (Thanks, Josh). Still, we did sample tres leches along the way and enjoyed a collard green tamal from Black Girl Tamales. The Frito pie was calling my name but my eyes were bigger than my stomach.
Though we wished we, and our stomachs, could sample everything available, we had to find a stopping point. As we were making our way to the exit, we saw Craft Creamery’s stand. They had a Smoked Chocolate Ice Cream with spicy candied pecans. Who could resist that? Not us and we were very happy to indulge in one last treat before leaving. It was worth it.
Rodeo Uncorked Best Bites Winners:
Outstanding Showmanship:
1st Place: Eculent
2nd Place: Brother’s Produce
People’s Choice Award:
1st Place: Cotton Culinary: The Cotton Pearl (Duck fat crostini with Wagyu beef and lemon verblanc pearl)
2nd Place: Patra Lee’s Kitchen (Caramel stracciatella ice cream with praline
ethiopie and whiskey caramel swirl)
Tasty Tradition Award:
1st Place: Joyce’s Seafood & Steaks (White chocolate bread pudding)
2nd Place: Carraba’s: (Meatballs and romano with homemade pomodoro)
Trailblazer Appetizer Award:
1st Place: Lowtide Kitchen & Bar (Ceviche with cilantro citrus sauce on corn
tortilla strip)
2nd Place: Terrace 54 Bar & Table (T54 Bang Bang Shrimp)
3rd Place: Henderson & Kane General Store (Mighty Meat Mac)
Lone Star Entree Award:
1st Place: Patagonia Grill & Cafe (Sausage-ribeye outside skirt steak)
2nd Place: Calavera Mexican Kitchen (Taco Al Pastor with grilled pineapple salsa taquero, cajeta mousse, candied pecans and vanilla Chantilly cream
3rd: North Italia: (Braised short rib, creamy mascarpone polenta with mushroom
medley, marsala and microgreens)
Two-Steppin’ Dessert Award:
1st Place: Mostly Chocolate (Barrel-aged tequila chocolate bonbon)
2nd Place: Whisky Cake (Whisky cake)
3rd Place: Cacao and Cardamom Chocolatier (Popcorn and butter)
Rookie Award:
Patra Lee’s Kitchen ( Caramel stracciatella ice cream)
Trail Boss Food Truck Award:
Capone’s Oven & Bar (Capone’s pizza)
The 2023 Rodeo Uncorked International Wine Competition is a massive event and the list of medal winners would be too extensive to list here. However, here are some of the champions:
Grand Champion Best of Show: Le Chemin du Roi Brut, Champagne AOC, NV
Reserve Grand Champion Best of Show: Bernhardt Winery Antiquity Chardonnay Reserve, Danube Plain 2020
Top Texas Wine: Becker Vineyards Barbera, Tallent Vineyards, Texas Hill Country 2019
Top Red Wine: Bernardus Marinus Estate Red, Carmel Valley 2015
Top White Wine: Chateau Saint-Roch Old Vines White, Cotes du Roussillon AOP 2020
Top Sparkling Wine: Nicolas Feuillatte Reserve Exclusive Brut Rose Champagne AOC, NV
Top Dessert Wine: Dandelion Vineyards Legacy of Australia Pedro Ximinez, Australia, NV
Top Region Wine: Henschke Henry’s Seven Red, Barossa 2020
Top Value Wine: Risata Wines Moscato d’Asti DOCG 2021
Top Wine Company: E&J Gallo Winery
Top Region Wine Company: Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits
Top All-Around Winery: Becker Vineyards
Top Texas Winery: Messina Hof Winery
This article appears in Jan 1 – Dec 31, 2023.
