Roundup and Best Bites Competition

Best Bites

Rodeo Uncorked! Roundup and Best Bites Competition, a Texas-sized food and wine extravaganza held in Reliant Center, is a premiere event in the Southwest for those who wish to savor the delights of award-winning wines from the International Wine Competition and taste signature dishes submitted for competition by area catering institutions and restaurants.

A highlight of the evening is the announcement of the top winners in the International Wine Competition, including Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion Best of Show. Winners ride off with custom-made coveted saddles, chaps and buckles. Attendees are the judges in the Best Bites Competition, selecting their favorite dishes from more than 60 culinary entries.

Nearly 4,000 guests attend this lively event, wining and dining their way around Reliant Center and visiting with representatives of vineyards and wineries from all over the world.

2012 Best Bites Competition Winners

Popular Choice Award

First Place – Royers Round Top Café – Assorted Handmade Café Pies

Second Place – Hasta La Pasta Italian Grill – Savory Risotto Cake with Aged Beef Tenderloin

Trailblazing Appetizer/Entrée Award

First Place – Valentino Vin Bar – Slow Smoked Flank Steak with Fregola and Smoky Tomato Demiglace

Second Place – Straits Asian Bistro and Lounge – Braised Singaporean Spice Short Rib Rendang

Third Place – Beaucoup Bar & Grill – BBQ Shrimp and Grits

Two-Stepping Bread/Cheese/Dessert Award

First Place – Veldhuizen Cheese – Raw Milk Artisan Cheese

Second Place – Ooh La La Dessert Boutique – Blackberry Pie Bars

Chairman's Award

Tasso Bite with Celery Jam and Goat Cheese on Brioche Toast – Houston Community College, Central, Culinary Students

Past Best Bites Competition Winners

2011 Rodeo Uncorked! Best Bites Competition Winners

Popular Choice Award

First Place – Royers Round Top Café
Second Place – Del Friscos Double Eagle Steakhouse

Trailblazing Appetizer/Entrée Award

Best Bites - Trailblazing Appetizer/Entrée Award

First Place – Beef Short Rib Roast Ragu on Polenta Grand Parma – Hasta la Pasta-Italian Grill
Second Place – Pork Taquito With Green Sauce – Molina's Cantina
Third Place – Blackened Tenderloin and Fleming's Potatoes – Fleming's Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar

Two-Stepping Bread/Cheese/Dessert Award

First Place – Artisan Cheese – Veldhuizen Cheese
Second Place – Richly Flavored Texas Coffee – Pips Just Great Coffee

2010 Rodeo Uncorked! Best Bites Competition Winners

Popular Choice Award

First Place – Hasta La Pasta
Second Place – Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse

Trailblazing Appetizer/Entrée Award

Best Bites

First Place – Sage 400 Japanese Cuisine, miso Chilean sea bass
Second Place – Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steak House, sliced tenderloins
Third Place – Valentino Vin Bar, baby back ribs with pork and ravioli with barbecue Tuscan sauce