go for the gold

Peek inside Rodeo Cook-off's most over-the-top tent: champagne, caviar, and Big stars

In the Texas-sized universe that is the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, few things are more exclusive than the private tents of the World’s Championship Bar-B-Que Contest, which turns 50 this year.

And arguably, the hottest, most in-demand wristband for the Bar-B-Que Contest (we know it as the Cook-off) is the Cotton ‘Q Club, hosted by Cook-off sponsor Cotton Holdings. The red-hot Cotton ‘Q opens Thursday, February 22 and welcomes revelers each night through Saturday, February 24, with more than 700 expected to pack the party.

Regal Rodeo

We've covered the ridiculously over-the-top, lavish Cotton ‘Q tent since it first opened two years ago. The brainchild of charming cowboy CEO Pete Bell and his powerhouse marketing executive vice president Zinat Ahmed, calling the destination a "tent" is like calling a Bugatti a "car."

$Zinat Ahmed Cotton \u2018Q Club$ Rock star marketing exec Zinat Ahmed poses with her pony in the Cotton ‘Q Club Photo by Ashley Patranella of Painted Peacock Photography

This "tent" boasts more than 10,000 square feet of wood-paneled, plaid-carpet luxury that immediately calls to mind New York City's iconic Polo Club. Added flair comes with Ahmed's floral flourish (seriously, there are thousands of roses) that references the Kentucky Derby. Crystal-and-antler chandeliers, seven-foot white iridescent horse statues, and a tufted bar create a cowboy chic/urbane vibe.

50 for 50 = a gold VVIP party

Each year, Ahmed and her crew up the glam, and this year is no different. To honor the “golden” celebration of 50 years of the Cook-off, the Cotton ‘Q Club will showcase gold floral arrangements throughout and gold cocktails. Rap superstar and wine fan 50 Cent gets a tribute with his award-winning Le Chemin du Roi champagne.

“When I finished Cook-off off last year, it was fun, it was brilliant — wouldn't change a thing,” Ahmed tells CultureMap. “But I came away thinking we were missing something and honestly, it was 50 Cent’s champagne; like, I wanted it.

“He just fits the luxe vibe," she continues. "He fits the energy. He’s a winner with his wine, and I really wanted to include him as he’s also a Houston resident and part of the community.”

Champagne and Cowboy Caviar, y'all

While the ‘Q is already VIP, the VVIP set can kick up their heels at its hidden, speakeasy-style lounge dubbed The Gold Pony. A "Stay Golden" neon sign beckons the lucky 50 keyholders, who can sidle up to the private bar, lounge on the plush sofas and alligator chairs, and take selfies with a seven-foot golden pony or zebra heads. As for the VVIP crowd, the spot is so A-list that a "no photography" sign cautions anyone hoping to post to the 'gram.

The Gold Pony caused quite a buzz when it opened last year in its air-conditioned glory and went even more posh and exclusive last year. This year, to kick it up a notch, VVIPs can sip 50's champagne while sampling from a full "Cowboy Caviar" bar, courtesy of hip eatery Ciel. Here, premium caviar is paired with a potato chip or a small potato for the "cowboy" theme. Nothing says regal rodeo like caviar and champagne, no?

Big name music stars shine onstage

But it's not just luxury that awaits cowgirls and cowboys. In its inaugural year, country stars Midland treated guests to a private concert. This year's musical lineup stars William Beckman, Mackenzie Carpenter, and Big & Rich with Gretchen Wilson on Thursday. Friday sees rockin' country powerhouse Shane Smith and The Saints, and The Spazmatics close out the fun on Saturday.

Big & Rich play the big tent Thursday night. Big & Rich

Music fans and Yellowstone fans will recognize Shane Smith and The Saints; the band got major run on Season 5 of the series when they played John Dutton's (Kevin Costner) gubernatorial inauguration. Not long after, the Austin-based band played Texas Governor Greg Abbott's inauguration.

“A lot of people don’t understand how big a lot of these events are associated with the Houston Rodeo,” Smith tells us, “and that entire culture that the Rodeo is the center of. We have a ton of our friends who have gotten to headline and perform at the Rodeo — from Cody Johnson and his band Turnpike Troubadours, and Parker McCollum — so I’m really excited that we’re getting to do play it. It should be an incredible time.”

Shane Smith and The Saints, who made an appearance on Yellowstone, will play never-heard new songs at the tent.Photo courtesy of Shane Smith and The Saints

Smith and The Saints' Spotify following grew from more than 300,000 to 1.2 million after the Yellowstone exposure, but longtime fans can expect the band's Red Dirt faves along with an exclusive tease of new songs from the upcoming album, Norther, which drops in March.

"There's a song called 'Fire In The Sky' that nobody has gotten to hear yet that we're gonna be playing that night," Smith reveals. "It's about two brothers fighting in war and trying to make it home, and it's just a big Celtic rock epic song."

Hanging with Kevin Costner and Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan (who counts himself a big fan) hasn't gotten the band's heads too big for their Stetsons. ‘Q guests can expect to meet them after the show.

“I always try to be accessible and be cool to the folks that allow us to keep doing this at the end of the day,” says Smith. “I've done it for a very long time and I’m gonna always try to do it — to have that connection with our fans.”

Photo by Ashley Patranella/Painted Peacock Photography

A peek inside the Gold Pony VVIP lounge.

rodeohouston

Pas de Deux Dining

Houston Ballet's gourmand bash delights with chef-dancer collabs

Photo by Melissa Taylor

Houston Ballet danced united with some of Houston's top chefs for Raising the Barre.

What began as a young professionals’ soirée has gracefully pirouetted into one of Houston’s most anticipated culinary-meets-culture nights.

And this year’s Raising the Barre delivered a standing ovation-worthy performance. Hosted at Caracol, the fan-favorite tasting event drew nearly 160 guests on May 4, where balletomanes (and those who love them) mingled, noshed, and toasted to an artful cause.

Co-chaired by Duyen and Marc Nguyen and Dr. Tatiana Sorkin and Michel Coret, the springtime soirée raised nearly $110,000 for Houston Ballet, supporting its mission to inspire a lasting love for dance through performance and education. But this wasn’t your typical rubber-chicken charity dinner. Here, dancers became muses and sous chefs, joining forces with Houston’s culinary stars to serve up an inspired four-course meal, each dish a storytelling moment in its own right.

Each course hit the table like a pas de deux.

Chef Aaron Bludorn kicked things off with soloist Danbi Kim, channeling her Korean childhood through a delicate sesame-crusted hamachi, balanced by gochujang vinaigrette and marinated cucumbers. Chef Chris Williams and demi-soloist Estheysis Menendez served a soul-warming lobster stew with plantain fufu and jalapeño pesto, a dish rooted in global tradition and personal memory, honoring the dancer’s Cuban heritage and her mother’s love of herbs and wellness.

Then came the entrée: Chef Hugo Ortega teamed with principal Chase O’Connell for picanha a las brazos, a coulotte steak celebration dressed in pasilla mole and earthy mushroom zacahuil. The duo riffed on Chase’s ritualistic pre-performance steak dinners, adding Ortega’s signature Latin American soul.

Pastry powerhouse Rebecca Masson of Fluff Bake Bar partnered with first soloist Gian Carlo Perez to close out the show with a guava pastelillo topped with cream cheese ice cream and honey, a nod to his Cuban childhood sweets.

Adding to the evening’s thoughtful twist, those lush floral centerpieces didn’t just wilt away post-party. Thanks to Houston nonprofit Bloom Again, the arrangements were repurposed and delivered to local hospitals and care facilities, offering cheer beyond the ballroom.

Among those soaking up the delicious scene were Beth Muecke, Patti Murphy, Ann Bean, Dr. Patrick Benge, Susan Binney, Jennifer Kushner, Kristy Bradshaw, Lindsey Brown, Andrea Medina, Lenni and Bill Burke, Anne and Albert Chao, Jo Furr, Mitchell George and Stanley Curtis Jr., Paula Whitten-Doolin, Victoria Gutierrez and Nick Pierce, Carey Kirkpatrick, Deborah and Edward Koehler, S. Shawn Stephens and Jim Jordan, Liliana Soltero and Mike Hawkins, Yana and Warren McFatter, Kris and Richard McGee, Teal and Jeffrey Reamer, Julie Kent, Jim Nelson, Melissa Reihle, and Laura and Brannon Robertson.

Photo by Melissa Taylor

Houston Ballet danced united with some of Houston's top chefs for Raising the Barre.

houston ballet fundraisers