The barbecue cook-off makes for a sizzling start to Rodeo: Cute young things, a giant crowd & all that smoke

Close to 300 cooking teams threw their beef on the grill at Reliant Park Thursday night for the kickoff to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo World Championship Bar-B-Que Contest.

Over at The Original Pearl BBQ Cookers station, Bubba Collinsworth was in charge of cooking 300 ribeye steaks for guests at the private party sponsored by Pearl Beer.

Maggie Guerrero, left, and Jeska Crenek, members of the Carnival Ticket Sales Committee, worked the crowd from their perch at Steve's Cooking Team.

Both have already sold $6,000 in carnival tickets and if they sell $10,000 by Saturday afternoon, they earn big and fancy committee belt buckles.

Joe Saenz, left, and Richard Hernandez worked the door at The Road Kill Cafe, where they expected 300 partygoers on Thursday night. This cooking team is made up of law officers from HPD, Harris County Sheriff's Department and HISD and includes constables and probation and detention officers.

A record crowd of more than 240,000 revelers prowled the cook-off grounds last year and Thursday was off to a good star with well-dressed fans Molly Hudson, form left, Laura Schlameus, Kym Olson, Amanda Fox and on horseback Rico Castillo.

The music plays pretty much non-stop through Saturday afternoon on the Miller Lite Stage at The Garden through Saturday night when the barbecue winners are announced.

The Steer Auction Committee joined the barbecue fray for the first time this year and they did it up fancy with a mega-tent and a party for several hundred. Steer Committee members greeting guests included Stephen Estes, from left, Steve Jackson, Sam Ayers and Michael Francisco.

Cute Young Things — the rodeo is brimming with feminine eye candy. Here at The Texas Chowboys corral, sponsored by McCoy Workplace Solutions, were Ashley McKellar, from left, Ashley Radack, Leigh Keys and Brandy Stephenson.

Welcoming guests to the inaugural Team USO BBQ  tent were Derek DeBakey, from left, Jennifer Robertson, Lavonne Cox and Denis DeBakey.

A former Army Ranger, Derek earned a Purple Heart and Bronze Star during his four tours of duty through Iraq and Afghanistan. Thus, the family interest in the USO.

Lavonne is USO Auxiliary founder. USO Houston director Liz Vallette joined the team.

Regions Bank president Ryan Colburn joined Miss USO Heidi Ferren in the Team USO BBQ tent where much of the decor was seriously military.

Heidi sang "America the Beautiful" for guests that included USO supporters, active troops and veterans.

Leslie McKinney, left, and Michelle Turner toured the barbecue grounds before settling in at Statoil filling station, as in filling up on food and drink.

And this was before the place got crowded.

Javes Figueroa, from left, Martinzie Watkins, Luis Ortiz and Gabriel Melendez

The United Airlines barbecue team serves up the real deal for the maintenance crew team and friends.

Formerly the Continental Airlines barbecue pit, it's now the United Airlines big cooker. 

Eric Ybarra at The Texas Chowboys corral. That team has been participating in the barbecue championship since 1990.

Dr. Robert and Amber Kratschmer

Debbie Phillips

The Jack Daniels party place gives you an idea of just how elaborate these barbecue teams can get with their surroundings.