IIt was the biggest, baddest, grandest party of some of the lavish corporate parties that fill the NRG grounds during Rodeo Houston’s barbecue. Think 10,300 square feet of party space, 3,000 pounds of barbecue meat, 22 grill specialists with 16 helpers, Grammy-nominated entertainers, crystal chandeliers, velvet drapery, 7-foot-tall golden mosaic pony sculptures draped in carpets of roses, a VIP private lounge and more.
No one would expect anything less from Cotton Holdings Inc., which served as title sponsor of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo’s World’s Championship Bar-B-Que Contest for the second consecutive year and has competed in the cookoff for nearly a decade.
In 2022, the disaster and infrastructure support company marked itself out with a massive, luxurious marquee. This year, the Cotton Q Club took the rodeo barbecue to even greater heights with an expanded footprint large enough to host 650 guests each of the three nights and the addition of the exclusive VIP Golden Pony lounge. Only top-level guests, limited to 50 each night, were given the gilded key that opened the doors to the inner sanctum. Among them was a billionaire Tilman Fertitta who were welcomed on all three nights of the cookoff celebration by Cotton Holdings founder and CEO Pete Bell. There was simply no cooler place to be.
The opening party saw a rocking contingent of more than 650, dressed to the nines in fancy western wear for the evening with a Grammy-nominated artist Cole Swindell on stage.
Joining Cotton Holdings as partners in this year’s event were Houston Astros third baseman Alex Bregman’s Breggy Bomb sauces, Casa Del Sol tequila and hat designer Teresa Fogliawho created a rodeo line especially for Cotton Holdings.
Among Cotton Holdings’ portfolio is Cotton Culinary, which prepared a feast for the opening night. Executive chef Wade Schindler oversaw the feast that began with fried oysters, Figgy Piggy (the 2022 People’s Choice Award winner for Best Bites) and Sticky Icky Quail Bites. The food selection continued with a carving station featuring RC Ranch Ribeyes and Breggy Bomb El Jefe, White Cheddar Lobster Mac n Cheese, Twice Baked Potato Casserole, Colorful Roasted Root Vegetables and Green Beans, Fresh Baked Rolls and Signature Bread Pudding with Jack Daniels Cream Sauce.
“The energy and pride the cookoff brings to our community is electric, and knowing that it all goes to support our students through scholarships makes it so incredibly worthwhile,” says Bell PaperCity. “And as someone who loves to entertain and host, whether it’s family or clients, the opportunity to celebrate how far we’ve come by hosting family, partners and friends at the Cotton ‘Q Club is pretty incredible.
A competitor in the grill and host to more than 1,200 over the course of three days, Cotton Holdings put its 288-square-foot pit to work, as well as the company’s grill crown jewel, an SSE Old Hickory rotisserie. In addition to the 3,000 pounds of quality meats (brisket, turkey breast, sausage, sizzling fajitas and more), the Cotton Q Club grilled several hundred pounds of Texas-raised, sustainably farmed RC Ranch Wagyu ribeyes.
“As a lifelong Houstonian, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo has always been close to my heart,” says Bell. “From visiting the carnival with family and friends as a boy, to the first time our organization got to participate in the legendary World’s Championship Bar-B-Que Contest so many years ago, it’s more than just a tradition for me.
“Even more humbling are the memories I carry as a child with my mother, who was on her own barbecue team, to today being the title sponsor of the Houston tradition that she loved.”
PC set: CEO of Quanta Services Duke AustinHouston Livestock Show and Rodeo President and CEO Dr. Chris Boleman and Randi BolemanLos Angeles-based influencer Erica PelosiniCFO of Cotton Holdings Bryan MichalskyPresident of Cotton Holdings Global Disaster Solutions James ScaifePresident of Cotton Logistics Johnny Slaughter, Cotton Commercial USA Executive Vice President Resident Russell WhiteCotton Holdings Executive Vice President of Marketing and Branding Zinat Ahmed; Bailey Bell, Hunter Bell, Lara Bell, Chita and Lane Craft, Whitney Kuhn Lawson and Marc Lawsonand Heather Mandel.
