More than 250 barbecue teams competed at the 2023 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo World’s Championship Bar-B-Que Contest, presented by Cotton Holdings, Feb. 23 – 25, 2023. On Saturday night, one team was named Grand Champion Overall — Jasper County Go Texan.
 
Over the course of three days, teams from across Texas and the world competed for championship titles in the following categories: Brisket, Ribs, Chicken, Go Texan, Dutch Oven Dessert and the Open Contest.
 
For the third time, the World’s Championship Bar-B-Que Contest hosted a Jr. Cook-off. These young competitors, 8 to 14 years old, were given a steak to prepare, and were judged on appearance/presentation, tenderness and taste. 
 
The 2023 World’s Championship Bar-B-Que Contest winners are:
Grand Champion Overall – Jasper County Go Texan
Reserve Champion Overall – McLennan County Go Texan
 
Brisket
Champion – Always Able But Confused Cookers
Second Place – San Augustine County Go Texan
Third Place – Metro Go Texan 1/BJ’s Blue Smoke BBQ
 
Ribs
Champion – Hardin County Go Texan
Second Place – Metro Go Texan 5/The Worms BBQ Team
Third Place – Rancho Cerveza
 
Chicken
Champion – Guzzlin’ Gourmets
Second Place – The Star of Texas Cooking Team
Third Place – Paloma Blanca
 
Go Texan
Grand Champion – Jasper County Go Texan
Reserve Champion – McLennan County Go Texan
 
Dutch Oven Dessert
Champion – Orange County Go Texan – TX Ooey Gooey Pecan Cheesecake
Second Place – Hardin County Go Texan – Pecan Pie Cheesecake
Third Place – Shelby County Go Texan – Nana’s German Chocolate Cake
 
Open Contest
Champion – Lonesome Dove Cookers – Turf and Surf
Second Place – Half Fast Cookers – Surf and Turf
Third Place – Ritch’s Raiders – Shrimp Grits
 
Jr. Cook-off
Champion – Brodie Daniel, Metro Go Texan 1/BJ’s Blue Smoke BBQ
Second Place – Karley Aleksines, Williamson County
Third Place – Braxton Kolojaco, 300 Justice Road
 
Specialty Awards
Best Façade – Limestone County
Best Overall Theme – Saddle Tramps
Best Skit – BOHICA
 
 
About the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo promotes agriculture by hosting an annual, family-friendly experience that educates and entertains the public, supports Texas youth, showcases Western heritage, and provides year-round educational support within the community. Since its beginning in 1932, the Rodeo has committed more than $575 million to the youth of Texas and education. The 2023 Rodeo is scheduled for Feb. 28 – March 19. The 2023 World’s Championship Bar-B-Que Contest, presented by Cotton Holdings, is scheduled for Feb. 23 – 25. For more information, visit rodeohouston.com and connect with #RODEOHOUSTON online via FacebookTwitterInstagram and YouTube for all the latest news.