Rustlin’ Up Another Win at the 2024 Best Bites Competition

Ask any Texan what the best part of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo (HLSR) is, and they’re likely to give you one of three answers: the concerts, the rides or the food. In fact, the culinary scene at the HLSR is a thing of legend, with events like the World’s Championship Bar-B-Que Contest and the Rodeo Uncorked! Roundup and Best Bites Competition taking a spot on the HLSR’s calendar every year.

The Rodeo Uncorked! Roundup and Best Bites competition, or Best Bites for short, is a signature event that invites hundreds of chefs, restaurants and caterers from around the country to share their most creative and delectable dishes and compete for a variety of prizes, including the Outstanding Showmanship Award and Tasty Tradition Award, among others.

Cotton Culinary is proud to be a mainstay at this Texas tradition, having participated for many years. After winning the People’s Choice Award in 2022 and 2023, Chef Wade Schindler and his team knew they had to continue our legacy and serve up some unbelievable bites. This year, they introduced the Duck Duck Crunch, a cotija wafer topped with micro slaw, smoked duck and jalapeño jam.

Competing against creative and delightful dishes from over 100 participants, the Duck Duck Crunch earned the Reserve Champion People’s Choice Award, which is determined based on votes that attendees cast for their favorite dish.

Chef Wade and the entire Cotton Culinary team are honored to once again take home the People’s Choice Award and participate in this esteemed Houston tradition. Thank you to everyone who came out and voted!