Two popular Pearland restaurants took home the People’s Choice awards at the 2019 Rodeo Uncorked! Roundup & Best Bites Competition.
Grazia Italian Kitchen was named the People’s Choice Award Grand Champion for its wagyu ribeye burnt ends over sharp cheddar stone-ground grits, according to a press release. In the 2016 event, Grazia won the Rookie Award and was named the Lone Star Entrée Grand Champion and the People’s Choice Reserve Grand Champion.
Taking second place in the People’s Choice Award, Killen’s Barbecue was named the Reserve Grand Champion for its pork belly burnt ends, per the release. Just last year, Ronnie Killen’s eateries took home three awards.
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo hosted the event Feb. 17 at NRG Park, and 118 restaurants competed. Here’s the full list of winners:
Outstanding Showmanship Award
- Grand Champion: Brothers Produce
- Reserve Grand Champion: Cupcake Kitchen
People’s Choice Award
- Grand Champion: Grazia’s Italian Kitchen – Wagyu Ribeye Burnt Ends over Sharp Cheddar Stone-ground Grits
- Reserve Grand Champion: Killen’s BBQ – Pork Belly Burnt Ends
Tasty Tradition Award
- Grand Champion: Trentino Gelato – Dulce de Leche Gelato Pop
- Reserve Grand Champion: Black Walnut Café – Carnitas Tacos
Trailblazing Appetizer Award
- Grand Champion: Broken Barrel – Crispy Plantain with Pulled Pork
- Reserve Grand Champion: Uchi Houston – Kiwi Salmon
- Third Place: The Art Institute of Houston – Smoked Buffalo Street Taco
Lone Star Entrée Award
- Grand Champion: Ouise’s Table – Short Rib Tacos with Poblano
- Reserve Grand Champion: Merlion – Ribeye Kang Kari (Yellow Curry)
- Third Place: Sonoma Wine Bar & Restaurant – 44 Farms Red Wine 7-hour Braised Short Rib with Herbed Mashed Potato & Heirloom Carrots
Two-Steppin’ Dessert Award
- Grand Champion: Ashley Cakes – “Royal” Mini Cake Shot
- Reserve Grand Champion: Red Desserts Dive – Bourbon Caramel Cupcake
- Third Place: Seasons 52 – Belgian Chocolate S’more
Rookie Award
- Cultivated F+B – “Guajillo” Short Rib Taco
Trail Boss Food Truck Award
- Grand Champion: Bayou City Eats – Seared Shrimp with Herbed Grits
Click here to see the winners of the 2019 Rodeo Uncorked! International Wine Competition, which were announced in November. A selection of the champion wines will be available at the Champion Wine Garden during the rodeo, which runs Feb. 25 through March 17 at NRG Park, and all of the champion wines will be auctioned at the Rodeo Uncorked! Champion Wine Auction on Feb. 24.
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is No. 6 on the Houston Business Journal’s 2018 Largest Houston-Area Better Business Bureau Charitable Organizations List. In 2018, the organization’s operating revenue was more than $138.76 million, according to its website. The rodeo’s educational commitments for the 2019 season total more than $27.17 million.