Convenience Big Store: How a closed BBQ shop delivered a cook-off surprise

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March 13, 2026

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Jacqueline Herrera, left, toasts the team after turning it their final entry during the World's Championship Bar-B-Que at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026.

A closed barbecue shop. A Houston rodeo cook-off tent. And a run nobody saw coming.

A call from a friend pushed Jacqueline Herrera to compete in the World's Championship Bar-B-Que Contest, a Houston rodeo tradition and one of the most exclusive, highly regulated barbecue competitions in existence.

Not long after Brett's BBQ Shop in Katy closed its doors, a place Herrera had poured herself into for eight years, Andrew Mulder called with an opportunity: help run his family's cook-off team. She was all in. And this year, the tent formerly known as Majors was renamed Brett's BBQ Shop.

For an in-depth look at the journey, check out this work from Aviva Bechky.

Matt Wyatt, Audience Producer

matt.wyatt@houstonchronicle.com

🎤 On the big stage

Chris Stapleton performs during the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, Thursday, March 12, 2026.

Photo by: Jason Fochtman, Houston Chronicle

About Last Night: Chris Stapleton

His sixth show was the antithesis of a modern Houston rodeo performance. Just a man and that voice.

Country artist Shaboozey performs in front of the Moody Center at the Ford Fan Fest ahead of the opening night of Gambler Days in Austin, Aug. 23, 2024.

Photo by: Sara Diggins/American-Statesman

Up Next: Shaboozey

Shaboozey makes his RodeoHouston debut tonight. Expect the "Tipsy" singalong to be one of the biggest of the season.

Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo leaves NRG Stadium after reviewing security footage following an incident during Tuesday's sold-out concert at the venue in Houston, Thursday, March 12, 2026. Hidalgo was removed from the venue after attempting to access the dirt floor to the show, which she did not have proper tickets or credentialing for. The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo board voted to revoke Judge Lina Hidalgo's ex officio title amid an ongoing feud.

Photo by: Jason Fochtman, Houston Chronicle

Lina Hidalgo returns to rodeo seeking video of altercation, again forced to leave

The Harris County judge held a brief news conference outside NRG Stadium on Thursday evening before she was again escorted out of the rodeo, as she was Tuesday night. Read More

Steer euthanized: An animal injured Wednesday during the steer wrestling event was euthanized after being evaluated by a veterinarian. Read More
Opinion: Readers weighed in on the rodeo dust-up involving Hidalgo in our latest letters to the editor. Read More
How to have the best day at the rodeo: Influencer Danielle Dubois shares her Best Day Ever at the Houston rodeo, where she grabs hats and golf carts, and all the carnival food she can. Read More

📅 The calendar

Tonight: Shaboozey
March 14: Kelly Clarkson
March 15: Pepe Aguilar // Go Tejano Day
March 16: Cross Canadian Ragweed
March 17: Red Clay Strays

🔧 News you can use

Notice: You're receiving this update as part of our special coverage of the rodeo and its impact on Houston's food, music and arts culture. Find the rest of our coverage of RodeoHouston at Houstonchronicle.com