The smell of smoke, wood fire, and sizzling brisket is about to take over NRG Park because the 2026 World’s Championship Bar-B-Que Contest presented by Cotton Holdings is rolling into town February 26–28, and it’s officially the can’t-miss kickoff to Rodeo season in Houston.

Chef Wade Schindler, Executive Chef of Cotton Culinary, knows how to cater a great party. He also knows how to feed people when they need it most: after a natural disaster strikes. The most incredible part? It's all done out of a temporary tent. Watch the full interview with Houston Life's Derrick Shore to learn more about how Chef Wade and his team are able to pull it off seamlessly -- every time.

From thousands of roses, to mosaic horses, sparkling chandeliers and more, there's only one cookoff tent that everyone wants to get into this weekend.

Our friends at Cotton Holdings have set the cookoff bar pretty high...because this isn't your typical BBQ tent!