Barbecue connoisseurs from around the globe flocked to Houston March 2 – 4, 2017, to show off their creative cooking skills at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo World’s Championship Bar-B-Que Contest.

It was a barbecue bucket list item checked off for Darren and Sherry Warth of Iowa’s Smokey D’s BBQ. The husband and wife duo from Des Moines, Iowa, took home the overall grand champion cooking team award, Saturday, March 4.

“My dream was to win Houston, [and] here it is,” said Darren Warth. “I’ve been on every major barbecue stage and nothing compares to Houston.” After a flavorful weekend of grilling, smoking and charring, winners were chosen from 266 teams.

THE WINNERS ARE:

Grand Champion – Iowa’s Smokey D’s BBQ

First Runner Up – Top Hand Cookers 2

Second Runner Up – Roadkill BBQ Company 2

BRISKET

Champion – Roadkill BBQ Company 2

First Runner Up – Roadkill BBQ Company 1

Second Runner Up – Jack Daniels Barrelhouse Cookers 1

RIBS

Champion – Iowa’s Smokey D’s BBQ

First Runner Up – Top Hand Cookers 2

Second Runner Up – Wild Game Crew 1

CHICKEN

Champion – Washington County Go Texan

First Runner Up – Bulldog Mountain Cooking Crew

Second Runner Up – Bottomless Pit Cooking Team 1

GO TEXAN

Go Texan Best Barbecue – Washington County Go Texan

Runner Up – Austin County Go Texan

DUTCH OVEN

Champion – Fowl Feathered Cookers

First Runner Up – 100.3 The Bull

Second Runner Up – Brisket Cases

SPECIALTY AWARDS

Most Colorful Team – PBR Cookers

Runner Up Most Colorful Team – Houston First Corporationv

Go Texan Most Colorful – Falls County Go Texan

Runner Up Go Texan Most Colorful – Metro Go Texan, Gridiron Cookers

Most Unique Pit – Lost Village Cooking Team

Runner Up Most Unique Pit – Shelby County Go Texan

Best Team Skit – Brazos County Go Texan

Runner Up Best Team Skit – Devil’s River Mountain Men

Cleanest Team Area – Floyd Morrow & Larkin

Runner Up Cleanest Team Area – Clifton Chevy Cookers

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is a Section 501(c)(3) charity that benefits youth, supports education, and facilitates better agricultural practices through exhibitions and presentation. Since its beginning in 1932, the Show has committed more than $430 million to the youth of Texas. For more information, visit rodeohouston.com and connect with #RODEOHOUSTON online via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube for all of the latest news. The 2017 Show is scheduled for March 7–26.