International Chefs Bring Culinary Flair to World Championship BBQ Cookoff

Houston, TX – When you think of Texas BBQ, you often think of those local western cowboys who prepare some of the best mouth-watering meats.

At the RODEOHOUSTON World Championship BBQ Cookoff, there are a lot of them. About 250 different kitchen teams to be exact. But there’s also a select group of chefs who traveled across the world to Houston this weekend for the chance to be crowned best barbecue.

Around ten international teams from as far away as Australia inject their country’s culinary cuisine into the barbecue. It’s like a collision of Texas barbecue and a world of flavors.

Teams come from countries like Brazil, Canada, United Kingdom, Mexico, Australia, Sweden and more.

“The brisket is the queen, it’s the king, it’s everything in Texas barbecue,” said Bruce Salomon, who represents Brazil with his company Braza-B-Que. “And look at that chest. Gorgeous. It’s incredible.”

His teams spent hours trimming and cutting their brisket, worth about $400, for Saturday’s main competition.

“In Brazil, we love the flavor of beef. So we cook only with salt. We don’t use friction,” Salomon said.

Across the aisle is Morgan Lundin, representing Sweden and his company Lingon & Dill BBQ.

“The town I’m from, I’m so proud that we’re here,” he said. “The whole village where I’m from is cheering for us now and they’re following us on Facebook like, ‘Yeah, go get it.'”

His team prepares their chicken for Saturday’s competition. Sweden competes in all three categories: ribs, brisket and chicken.

Also in the international section is a group from Australia.

“If I’m honest, I’d probably cry a little.” That would mean a lot, man. Like, you know. It’s a lot to come here and travel all the way here,” said Daniel Barrett of Big Smoke BBQ.

This is a big deal for all the teams here, but it means even more to those traveling the world. Barrett not only packed a suitcase, but actually shipped his brisket from Australia to smoke and present to the judges.

“When we first arrive, we are really nervous. You know, will our flavor last? But we try not to change too much. You know what we do at home that has worked for us. We can. I really do our thing. And everyone who does their own thing has their own little touch to their own little flavors.

Each of the teams says they took inspiration for their BBQ from American BBQ, including crews from the Texas region.

The main competition of the World BBQ Cookoff Championship will take place on Saturday. Doors will be open from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.