Once again the first event of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo season inspired more than 5,000 hungry (and seemingly insatiably thirsty) Houstonians to leave their homes on a Sunday evening and come to the NRG Arena for the Rodeo Uncorked Best Bites competition.

In the five years that I’ve been a volunteer on the Rodeo Uncorked committee, I’ve always been able to take a 15-minute break (or two) during the six-hour shift to say hello to competing chefs, old friends in the crowd and fellow members of the media. However this year the wine booth I was assigned to was so dang busy, I wasn’t able to break away and check out the food offerings or mingle until it was time for us to break down the booth around 9:30 last night.

Team Killen’s Steakhouse. For more photos, follow us on Instagram at @mytablemagazine

From a volunteer’s floor view, it seemed there were way more competing restaurants and more guests than ever before. Checking the numbers on the HLSR website revealed, yes, that more than 100 restaurants and vendors did indeed participate. Generally the space allows for 70 restaurant booths to be nestled in with award-winning wines. This year, the layout configuration was changed and the used space within the arena hall was expanded, which allowed for more bites (i.e. restaurant competitors) to blend in with more than 9,600 bottles of wine. (To see the winning wines from last November’s wine competition, click here.)

Merlion on 4th of Seabrook, Texas took home two belt buckles on Sunday, February 26, 2017 at Rodeo Houston’s Best Bites Competition. Photo by Brandy Collins for HLSR

It was, as always, a lively party of eaters and drinkers, a rodeo fashion parade and a tremendous fundraiser for young students who want to pursue studies in agriculture.

Here are the evening’s winners:

Trail Blazin’ Appetizer, Cheese and/or Bread Award
1. Revolve Kitchen and Bar: Achiote-braised Pork Sliders with Jalapeño Slaw
2. Snooze, an AM Eatery: OMG French Toast Bites
3. Cotton Culinary: Duck Roulade

Lone Star Entree Award
1. Merlion on 4th (Seabrook): Shrimp Raad Prik
2. Killen’s STQ: Pork Belly Burnt Ends with Cherry Habanero Sauce and Creamed Corn
3. Hearsay Gastro Lounge at Market Square: Southern-fried Texas Quail with sharp Cheddar Grits with Bacon, Bourbon and Thai Chile Glaze

Chef team of Killen’s Steakhouse and Killen’s STQ. Photo by Brandy Collins for HLSR

Two Steppin’ Dessert Award
1. Mostly Chocolate: Hazelnut Crunch with Goat Cheese Chocolate
2. Crave cupcakes: Red Velvet Cupcakes
3. Brio: Mascarpone Cheesecake

Tasty Tradition Awards
1. Mostly Chocolate
2. Merlion on 4th

From left: chefs Kelly Boyd of Hearsay Gastro Lounge, Antoine Ware and Ryan Sawka of Harold’s Tap Room. Instagram.com/mytablemagazine

Rookie Award
Hearsay Gastro Lounge at Market Square

Outstanding Showmanship
Cupcake Kitchen

People’s Choice Award
1. Killen’s STQ
2. Royer’s Round Top Cafe: “Not My Mom’s” Apple Pie

The Royer family of Royer’s Round Top Cafe. Photo by Brandy Collins for HLSR