WORLD’S CHAMPIONSHIP BAR-B-QUE CONTEST

Feb. 27 – March 1, 2025

2025 Results

2025 Contestants

ABOUT WCBBQ

More than 250 teams compete in the World’s Championship Bar-B-Que Contest. While most team tents are invitation-only, visitors can enjoy several public venues, including The Garden Stage, presented by Miller Lite, Rockin’ Bar-B-Que Saloon and the Chuckwagon. Plus, the Carnival, presented by First Community, is open for wild rides and fun games.

The Garden Stage features some of the best up-and-coming and established artists in Texas country. The Rockin’ Bar-B-Que Saloon also features live and DJ music, and has an outside patio for visitors to enjoy. Inside the saloon is the Chuckwagon, where visitors can pick up their complimentary BBQ plate.

Feb. 27 – March 1, 2025

Thursday, Feb. 27 – 5 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 28 – 12 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Saturday, March 1 – 9 a.m. – 11 p.m.

2025 Results 2025 Contestants

presented by:

tickets

BAR-B-QUE CONTEST ADMISSION

Adult (13 & over): $26 | Child (3-12): $10 | Age two & under: Free
Concerts at The Garden Stage, presented by Miller Lite
Admission to Carnival (NOT valid for rides or games)
Admission to Saloon & Chuckwagon
Complimentary sliced brisket, beans and chips

Starting at 9 p.m. each night, the Bud Light Plaza Gate is cashless.

GROUNDS SEASON PASS

Grounds Season Pass: $57
Daily admission to World’s Championship Bar-B-Que Contest
Daily admission during the run of the Show, with access to all public activities at NRG Park, NRG Center & NRG Arena
Admission to Carnival (NOT valid for rides or games)
NOT INCLUDED: Rodeo & concert in NRG Stadium, Rodeo Uncorked! events

SCHEDULE

Thursday, Feb. 27: 5 – 11 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 28: Noon – 11 p.m.
Saturday, March 1: 9 a.m. – 11 p.m. | Contest Awards Presentation at The Garden Stage, presented by Miller Lite: 7 p.m.

Entertainment Lineup

Public VenueS

With a Bar-B-Que Contest ticket, visitors may enjoy The Garden Stage, presented by Miller Lite, which presents some of the best names in Texas country music. The Garden Stage is located in the center of the contest grounds.

A delicious complimentary BBQ plate awaits guests at The Chuckwagon, and next door visitors can enjoy the Rockin’ Bar-B-Que Saloon, which features live and DJ music. At the saloon you can find an outdoor patio area.

The Carnival, presented by First Community, is available for people to enjoy throughout the day and night.

CONTESTANTS

Thank you for your interest in participating in the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo™ World’s Championship Bar-B-Que Contest presented by Cotton Holdings! Applications for the 2025 Contest are now closed. Teams can access their accounts below.

Team Account Login

Downloads

2025

Service Providers

Judges

Thank you for your interest in becoming a Judge. Applications for the 2026 Contest will be available next Fall.

Results

2025

2024

WINNERS

The World’s Championship Bar-B-Que Contest is an invitation-only competition. The winners of this competition are truly the best of the best.

2025

Grand Champion Overall – Always Able But Confused Cookers
Reserve Champion Overall – Metro Go Texan 5/Second 2 None 2

Brisket

Champion – Dusty Bones Cookers
Second Place – Holy Cow Cookers
Third Place – Texas Social Club

Ribs

Champion – Tejas Cookers
Second Place – Brisket Cases
Third Place – Pit Boss

Chicken

Champion – Maddog BBQ
Second Place – Always Able But Confused Cookers
Third Place – Calhoun County Go Texan

Go Texan

Grand Champion – Metro Go Texan 5/Second 2 None 2
Reserve Champion – Washington County Go Texan

Dutch Oven Dessert

Champion – Trail Riders
Second Place – Willis Group
Third Place – Roadkill BBQ Company

Open Contest

Champion – Karnes County Go Texan
Second Place – Blues Hog
Third Place – First Responders – Houston Professional Firefighters Association Local 341

Jr. Cook-off

Champion – Bentlee Payne, Lonestar Cowboy Cookers
Second Place – Tyler Lovend, DIM Fiefelman Cookers
Third Place – Vincent Martinez, Willis Group

Specialty Awards

Best Façade – Cherokee County Go Texan
Best Overall Theme – BOHICA BBQ Cooking Team
Best Skit – BOHICA BBQ Cooking Team

WCBBQ Games

Winner – San Augustine County Go Texan
Second Place – Steve’s Cooking Team

2024

Grand Champion Overall – Taste of South Texas Bar-B-Que Team
Reserve Grand Champion Overall – Rancho Cerveza

Brisket

Champion – Taste of South Texas Bar-B-Que Team
Second Place – Telstar Cookers
Third Place – Texas Lonestar Cookers

Ribs

Champion – Pitmaker – BBQ Addiction
Second Place – Victoria County Go Texan
Third Place – Calhoun County Go Texan

Chicken

Champion – San Antonio Winner – Chicken Fried
Second Place – S&S Club, Inc.
Third Place – RIVS Smoke & Grill

Go Texan

Grand Champion – Victoria County Go Texan
Reserve Champion – Metro Go Texan 4/Chase-N-Moore Smoke

Dutch Oven Dessert

Champion – S&S Club, Inc.
Second Place – Tejas Cookers
Third Place – Brew Crew Cookers

Open Contest

Champion – Texas Cowtown Cookers
Second Place – Paloma Blanca
Third Place – Floyd, Morrow & Larkin

Jr. Cook-off

Champion – Shylyn Keith
Second Place – Hailynn Speichinger
Third Place – Brodie Daniel

Specialty Awards

Best Façade – Desperados Cook Team
Best Overall Theme – Cherokee County Go Texan
Go Texan Best Overall Theme – BOHICA BBQ Cooking Team

2023

Grand Champion Overall – Jasper County Go Texan
Reserve Grand 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 – Rancho Cerveza
Second Place – Metro Go Texan 5/The Worms BBQ Team
Third Place – Hardin County Go Texan

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 Country 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 – Surf and Turf
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
Go Texan Best Overall Theme – BOHICA

2022

Grand Champion Overall – Williamson County Go Texan
Reserve Grand Champion Overall – Mama and Papa Joe’s BBQ

Brisket

Champion – Cowboys 4 Heroes
Second Place – Jasper County Go Texan
Third Place – Fayette County

Ribs

Champion – Brew Crew Cookers
Second Place – San Patricio County Go Texan
Third Place – Letsos Pan-Handlers

Chicken

Champion – Gettin Sauced Cookers
Second Place – Goliad County Go Texan
Third Place – Los Gallos

Go Texan

Grand Champion – Jasper County Go Texan
Reserve Champion – Metro Go Texan 2/Q’ston Barbecue

Dutch Oven Dessert

Champion – Willis Group – Pecan Pie Cheesecake
Second Place – Rusty’s Smoke BBQ – Hazelnut Chocolate Cheesecake
Third Place – NRG Energy, Inc. – Pineapple Upside Down Cake

Open Contest

Champion – Clifton Chevy Cookers, LLC – Seafood Surprise
Second Place – Cotton Q Club – Q Club Surf & Turf
Third Place – Ritch’s Raiders – Steak & Lobster

Jr. Cook-off

Champion – RJ Fite, Asleep at the Grill
Second Place – Raelyn Barker, Circle D-A Cookers
Third Place – Vince Martinez, Metro Go Texan 3/Midnight Mavericks

Specialty Awards

Best Façade – Cotton Club
Go Texan Best Façade – Brazos County
Best Overall Theme – Over the Hill Gang
Go Texan Best Overall Theme – Mills County

2020

Grand Champion Overall – Fayette County Go Texan
Reserve Grand Champion Overall – Operation BBQ Relief

BRISKET

Champion – Williamson County Go Texan
Second Place – Energy in Motion
Third Place – Rio Valley Meat BBQ

RIBS

Champion – BBQ Social Club
Second Place – Metro Go Texan 3 – Double Trouble Kookers 2
Third Place – Ram’s Club

CHICKEN

Champion – Lavaca County Go Texan
Second Place – The Tumble Inn
Third Place – Men in Black

GO TEXAN

Grand Champion – Fayette County Go Texan
Reserve Champion – Lavaca County Go Texan

DUTCH OVEN DESSERT

Champion – Madison County Go Texan – Caramelized Pecan Cheesecake
Second Place – Wharton County Go Texan – Pecan Pie Cheesecake Bars
Third Place – Lingon & Dill BBQ Team (Sweden) – Chocolate Cake

JR. COOK-OFF

First Place – Evan Arocha – Pittmaker BBQ Addiction
Second Place – Ian Brown – Wharton County Go Texan
Third Place – Cooper Odenbach – Burleson County Go Texan

SPECIALTY AWARDS

Best Façade – Saddle Tramps
Go Texan Best Façade – Cherokee County
Best Overall Theme – Saddle Tramps
Go Texan Best Overall Theme – Mills County
Best Recycling – Holy Cow
Go Texan Best Recycling – Orange County

2019

Grand Champion Overall – Operation BBQ Relief
Reserve Grand Champion Overall – Hill County Go Texan

Brisket

Champion – Circle D-A Cookers
Second Place – Operation BBQ Relief
Third Place – Hill County Go Texan

Ribs

Champion – Gulfstream
Second Place – Bottoms Up Cookers
Third Place – Lignon & Dill BBQ Team

Chicken

Champion – Metro Go Texan 2/Cypress Boys
Second Place – Texas Cowtown Cookers
Third Place – Damnifino Team

Go Texan

Grand Champion – Hill County Go Texan
Reserve Champion – Lavaca County Go Texan

Dutch Oven Dessert

Champion – Tejas Barbacoa
Second Place – Cold River Cattle Co. Barbeque Team
Third Place – Texas Night Owls

Specialty Awards

Best Façade – Holy Cow Cookers
Go Texan Best Façade – Cherokee County Go Texan
Best Overall Theme – Floyd, Morrow & Larkin
Go Texan Best Overall Theme – Metro Go Texan 1 – Gridiron Cookers
Best Recycling – Blowin’ Smoke
Go Texan Best Recycling – Grimes County Go Texan

2018

Grand Champion Overall – Buns-N-Roses Cook Team
Reserve Grand Champion Overall – Jasper County Go Texan

Brisket

Champion – Buckshot BBQ
Second Place – Manning Valley Natural Smokers
Third Place – Steve’s Cooking Team

Ribs

Champion – Buns-N-Roses Cook Team
Second Place – British Bulldog BBQ
Third Place – Operation BBQ Relief

Chicken

Champion – The Tumble Inn
Second Place – Madison County Go Texan
Third Place – San Patricio County Go Texan

Go Texan

Grand Champion – Jasper County
Reserve Champion – Bee County

Dutch Oven Dessert

Champion – Lingon & Dill BBQ Team
Second Place – Comcast Business
Third Place – Smokin’ Stokers

Specialty Awards

Most Colorful Team – Floyd Morrow & Larkin
Runner Up Most Colorful Team – Over the Hill Gang
Go Texan Most Colorful Team – Grid Iron Cookers
Runner Up Go Texan Most Colorful Team – Nueces County
Most Unique Pit – Pit Boss
Runner Up Most Unique Pit – Clifton Chevy Cookers
Best Team Skit – Brazos County
Runner Up Best Team Skit – Bad Girls Gone Wild
Cleanest Team Area – Houston First
Runner Up Cleanest Team Area – Floyd Morrow & Larkin

2017

GRAND CHAMPION

Iowa’s Smokey D’s BBQ

FIRST RUNNER UP

Top Hand Cookers 2

SECOND RUNNER UP

Roadkill BBQ Company 2

BRISKET

Champion – Roadkill BBQ Company 2
First Runner Up – Roadkill BBQ Company 1
Second Runner Up – Jack Daniels Barrelhouse Cookers 1

RIBS

Champion – Iowa’s Smokey D’s BBQ
First Runner Up – Top Hand Cookers 2
Second Runner Up – Wild Game Crew 1

CHICKEN

Champion – Washington County Go Texan
First Runner Up – Bulldog Mountain Cooking Crew
Second Runner Up – Bottomless Pit Cooking Team 1

GO TEXAN

Go Texan Best Barbecue – Washington County Go Texan
Runner Up – Austin County Go Texan

DUTCH OVEN

Champion – 100.3 The Bull
First Runner Up – Houston Proud Yeller Bellies
Second Runner Up – Willis Group

SPECIALTY AWARDS

Most Colorful Team – PBR Cookers
Runner Up Most Colorful Team – Houston First Corporation
Go Texan Most Colorful – Falls County Go Texan
Runner Up Go Texan Most Colorful – Metro Go Texan, Gridiron Cookers
Most Unique Pit – Lost Village Cooking Team
Runner Up Most Unique Pit – Shelby County Go Texan
Best Team Skit – Brazos County Go Texan
Runner Up Best Team Skit – Devil’s River Mountain Men
Cleanest Team Area – Floyd Morrow & Larkin
Runner Up Cleanest Team Area – Clifton Chevy Cookers

2016

GRAND CHAMPION

Bulldog Mountain Cookin’ Crew 2

FIRST RUNNER UP

Washington County Go Texan

SECOND RUNNER UP

Xtreme Texas Cookers 4

BRISKET

Champion –Xtreme Texas Cookers 4
First Runner Up – Cool Smoke (2015 Jack Daniel’s Invitational Winner)
Second Runner Up – Valero Texas Gasoline Alley Cookers 1

RIBS

Champion – Bulldog Mountain Cookin’ Crew 2
First Runner Up – Comcast Business 4
Second Runner Up – Grills Gone Wild Iowa (2015 American Royal Winner)

CHICKEN

Champion – Washington County Go Texan
First Runner Up – Bulldog Mountain Cookin’ Crew 3
Second Runner Up – Damnifino Team 3

GO TEXAN

Go Texan Best Barbecue – Washington County Go Texan
Runner Up – Lavaca County Go Texan

DUTCH OVEN

Champion – Jasper County Go Texan
First Runner Up – Red’s Young Guns
Second Runner Up – Refugio County Go Texan

SPECIALTY AWARDS

Most Colorful Team – Holy Cow Cookers
Runner Up Most Colorful Team – Devil’s River Mountain Men
Go Texan Most Colorful – Metro Go Texan 4 – Road Dog Cookers
Runner Up Go Texan Most Colorful – Jasper County Go Texan
Most Unique Pit – Fowl Feathered Cookers
Runner Up Most Unique Pit – Lost Village Cooking Team
Best Team Skit – Brazos County Go Texan
Runner Up Best Team Skit – Holy Cow Cookers
Cleanest Team Area – Chevy Cookers
Runner Up Cleanest Team Area – Limestone County
Go Texan Recycling – Calhoun County
Recycling – Brisket Cases