Rodeo Uncorked reveals victors in roundup & best bites showdown

Monday, February 26, 2024

Today, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo held its eagerly awaited Rodeo Uncorked! Roundup & Best Bites Competition. This yearly event showcased signature dishes from renowned culinary establishments in the Houston area, expertly paired with a diverse selection of almost 450 acclaimed wines from the 2024 Rodeo Uncorked! International Wine Competition, including the prestigious Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion. Over 120 top-notch restaurants from the region participated, contributing to a dynamic and flavorful celebration of culinary mastery.

The winners of the 2024 Best Bites Competition were as follows:

People’s Choice Award
1st Place: GRAZIA ITALIAN KITCHEN
2nd Place: COTTON CULINARY

Outstanding Showmanship Award
1st Place: ECULENT
2nd Place: SHESHE TREATS

Tasty Tradition Award
1st Place: MESSINA HOF HARVEST GREEN WINERY & KITCHEN – Stuffed mushrooms
(Mushrooms filled with goat cheese, mascarpone, ricotta, and Gruyere cheese)
2nd Place: CULTIVATED F+B – Raspberry white chocolate & vanilla Verrine

Trailblazer Appetizer Award
1st Place: PIER 6 SEAFOOD – Wood-grilled coconut shrimp
2nd Place: GOODE CO. – Campechana
3rd Place: LORO – Curried brisket rice

Lone Star Entrée Award
1st Place: RAISING CANE’S – Chicken fingers on garlic butter Texas toast with Cane’s sauce
2nd Place: THE CAPITAL GRILLE – Kona crusted dry aged sirloin finished with a shallot butter sauce and au gratin potatoes
3rd Place: GRAZIA ITALIAN KITCHEN – R-C Ranch smoked wagyu chuck eye pancetta risotto topped with a blueberry, rosemary garlic port reduction

Two-Steppin’ Dessert Award
1st Place: EGGHAUS GOURMET – Strawberry Tres leches croissant
2nd Place: 1848 HANDCRAFTED HERITAGE ICE CREAM – Buckshot (Caramel stracciatella with praline ethiope and whiskey caramel swirl)
3rd Place: GUZEL CAKES – Perfect Love (Vanilla pudding cake with strawberry cheesecake)

Rookie Award
MONEY CAT – BistecBao (Filipino-inspired bao with braised beef chuck, calamansi aioli, pickled red onion, cilantro, and chicharron)

During the event, the attendees enjoyed the pairing of nearly 450 award-winning wines from the 2024 Rodeo Uncorked! International Wine Competition with gourmet dishes. This 21st annual wine competition featured an impressive 2,985 entries from 22 countries. Additionally, 539 entries were from Texas wineries, while the featured region of 2024, Chile, contributed 161 entries.

The champions of the 2024 Rodeo Uncorked! International Wine Competition have been announced:

– Beau Joie Brut Champagne AOC, NV was awarded Grand Champion Best of Show.
– Smith-Madrone Riesling from Spring Mountain District, 2018, secured Reserve Grand Champion Best of Show.
– Meierstone Vineyards’ The Airship Red from Texas High Plains, 2021, was honored as the Top Texas Wine.
– Marchesi di Barolo DOCG, 2018, claimed the title of Top Red Wine.
– Perissos Vineyards and Winery’s Winemaker’s Reserve Pape Blanc from Texas High Plains, 2022, was recognized as the Top White Wine.
– Champagne Telmont Reserve Brut Champagne AOC, NV, emerged as the Top Sparkling Wine.
– Quady Winery’s Essensia Orange Muscat from California, 2020, was named Top Dessert Wine.
– TerraNoble CA1 Andes Carmenere, D.O. Colchagua Valley, 2020, was celebrated as the Top Region Wine.
– Animus Vinho Verde DOC, 2022, stood out as the Top Value Wine.
– Nice Winery was awarded Top Wine Company.
– E & J Gallo Winery was recognized as the Top Region Wine Company.
– Winebow Import was hailed as the Top All-Around Winery.
– Kiepersol was honored as the Top Texas Winery.

The award-winning wines will be available for auction at the Rodeo Uncorked! Champion Wine Auction & Dinner on Sunday, February 25.

Additionally, a selection of these champion wines can be purchased by the glass or bottle at the Champion Wine Garden, presented by Frost Bank, located in Carruth Plaza. The Champion Wine Garden will be open throughout the Rodeo from February 27 to March 17, with varying daily hours. Live music will accompany the wine experience daily, starting at 4 p.m. on weekdays, 11 a.m. on Saturdays, and 10 a.m. on Sundays.

For further details about the Champion Wine Garden, please visit rodeohouston.com/Visit-the-Rodeo/Attractions-Activities/WineGarden.

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