The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo (HLSR) crowned area residents world champions for their smoked goods.
Williamson County Go Texan, an area committe, won the 2022 World’s Championship Bar-B-Que Contest Feb. 26. The group was named overall grand champion.
“Almost every one of their divisions, two of the three they placed in the top 10, and the third one was in the top 20 out of 252,” said Tommy Hooker, Williamson County Go Texan president and ambassador.
For three days, Feb. 24-26, teams from across Texas and the world competed for championship titles in categories of brisket, ribs, chicken, Go Texan, dutch oven dessert and an open contest.
“This was only the second time our county has participated in the past couple of decades,” said Hooker.
Williamson County Go Texan works to promote and raise awareness of HLSR in the county through a variety of activities. Each county focuses on increasing ticket sales and show participation from its area. The group raises funds to provide scholarships and recruit competitors to represent Williamson County Area Go Texan at HLSR events.
In 2020, the Williamson County Go Texan group turned to the Taylor barbecue team Twisted L. Sean Leschber is headmaster for Twisted L, which includes his wife, Cassie.
“Twisted L was our team of choice that we put,” said Hooker, “and they were so interested that they came on as committee members as well.”
Twisted L rewarded Williamson County Go Texan’s choice by winning grand champion in the brisket division in 2020. After last year’s HLSR was canceled, Twisted L has brought home an even bigger trophy.
“They’re really good,” said Hooker. “They represented us very well. We had a good time.”
HLSR aims to promote agriculture with its annual experience to educate and entertain the public, support Texas youth and showcase Western heritage. Since 1932, HLSR has committed more than $550 million to Texas youth and education. The World’s Championship Bar-B-Que Contest was presented by Cotton Holdings.
For more information, visit http://rodeohouston.com.
