By Patti Parish-Kaminski, Publisher
Lisa Ann and I getting Uncorked! at Rodeo Houston!
It’s time, and we did it. Lisa Ann and I donned our cowboy boots and hats and headed into town for the start of the premier season in Houston – the one my hometown is known for worldwide: Rodeo Season. The most amazing spectacle happens each year to kick off our season in style, and you bet we were there.
The cowboy culinary extravaganza is “Rodeo Uncorked! Roundup & Best Bites Competition,” and like bull riding, this is one competitive event not to be missed. We unleashed, unveiled and uncorked in true Rodeo Houston fashion. It was a thing, and I mean, a true Texas thing.
Making new friends at “Rodeo Uncorked!” – the fabulous Imani Guillory.
“Rodeo Uncorked! Roundup & Best Bites” is truly Texas-sized. It is attended by nearly 6,000 friends, features over 115 restaurants and is a must for all foodies and winos. I lean more toward the wino category, but I have been known to enjoy a nice bite. It is absolutely the best of the best in culinary cuisine and vintage vinos, an extravaganza for the palate.
What were our favs? Here are our best of the best:
The SheShe Treats ladies: Winner of First Place Outstanding Showmanship Award.
SheShe Treats: This small business is a bakery owned by Shelley Pieri, and she is fabulous! She had cookies that looked like – wait for it – turquoise jewelry! I did a double take as her treats looked so real, I thought it was jewelry, which y’all know caught my eye immediately. I’m all about the shiny. Just think about it. You can don a turquoise squash blossom around your neck, and when you get hungry, just take a nibble.
Congratulations to Shelley and SheShe for winning the First Place Outstanding Showmanship Award!
Champagne Bollinger Special Cuvée Brut Champagne: These bubbles were beyond! I am a bubble girl, and this will be my signature champ going forward. Congratulations to Bollinger for taking Grand Champion Best of Show!
Taste of Texas: The mac and cheese and steak bites from this Texas tradition were incredible. Their “bite” was akin to a four-ounce steak, and the mac and cheese creamy and delish. Definitely a fav.
There were wines galore – 2,876 entries from 20 countries – and all we tried were fabulous. I’m officially redacting the number of wines we tried for security purposes, but let me just say that Lisa Ann was asleep on the sofa literally two minutes after we arrived home. Good thing I was responsible for the Uber driver.
While this event only rolls around once a year, you don’t have to miss out. The wine winners will be served throughout the rodeo at The Champion Wine Garden, presented by Frost and located in Carruth Plaza, during Rodeo Houston March 4 – 23. They are open in the afternoons and evenings and feature live music, so stop by and get a sip – or two. You won’t regret it! See y’all next week – on the porch!
Patti Parish-Kaminski
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