In Houston, it will take a ton to upstage planet-class brisket, sausage, and other smoked merchandise. But past year, what arguably stole the demonstrate at the 90th once-a-year World’s Championship Bar-B-Que Contest was not a fatty, marbled brisket or beautifully smoked sausage — it was a tent.
“Tent” potentially is a misnomer. The totally dazzling Cotton ‘Q Club Cookoff desired destination staged by title sponsor Cotton Holdings, Inc. redefined cowboy chic and grew to become a media and nearby sensation.
Cotton CEO (and true Houston cowboy) Pete Bell and his rock star internet marketing/celebration expert Zinat Ahmed (who designed the tent) spared no cost, putting an tasteful western spot that sported a posh, equestrian concept and spanned approximately 9,000 sq. feet. 7-foot shimmering horses, hundreds of roses, a tufted bar, plaid flooring, and navy blie drapes brought an NYC Polo Bar vibe to the the Cookoff.
Bigger, improved, and Breggy
Would seem tricky to leading — but Ahmed and the Cotton group have completed just that this calendar year. The wooden-paneled tent with crystal-and-antler chandeliers now features an more 1,150 square toes of area, creating the “tent” now a total 10,292 sq. ft, together with 6,212 sq. toes of tented space. Apropos, as the tent will see extra than 2,000 Bar-B-Que guests from Thursday, February 23 through Saturday, February 25.
Pretty much countless numbers of continuously refreshed, prolonged-stem red roses bloom in vases almost everywhere, creating a Tournament of Roses. “My eyesight was to have the Kentucky Derby in a tent,” Ahmed told us Wednesday, February 22 as we toured the tent. Mission achieved, in truth.
The 50-foot wooden bar now is joined by scaled-down bars serving up signature spirits from Dripping Springs distillery. As for bites, Cotton joined forces with Houston Astros superstar Alex Bregman and his Breggy Bomb products, like Breggy Bomb Primary BBQ Sauce, sustainably lifted R-C Ranch steaks seasoned with Breggy Bomb El Jefe Seasoning, and even Bregman-autographed koozies for attendees.
All hat, all model
Yet another MVP partnership incorporates milliner Teressa Foglia Cotton brass and VIPs will activity tailor made, 1-of-a-variety felt and straw hats built by the legendary Foglia.
Cotton will also host a Grammy-Award-nominated state act as entertainment a single wonders how the enterprise will major final year’s performers, the handsome country crooners, Midland.
The greatest rodeo IYKYK
In maybe in Cookoff historical past, this tent will boast its personal speakeasy — just one that needs its individual specially sanctioned vital for access. The Golden Pony is a posh, thoroughly air conditioned escape that Ahmed describes as “disco cowgirl meets whiskey area.”
Listed here, on-topic accoutrements incude gold pony door knockers, taxidermed animal mounts (like the ones in the main tent), disco balls, quirky art. Luxe spirit Casa Del Sol will serve as the VIP room’s unique tequila.
For those lucky plenty of to make it in, really don’t overlook to snap a pic with the wonderful golden pony — a great way to seize a night of horsin’ about.
Kudos to Cotton Holdings for topping what seemed difficult to best, and proving that listed here in Houston, larger is usually improved.