Barbecue champs lucky at 27
After 27 years, the BBQ Commanders 3 team finally lived up to their name.
The Friendswood-based team was named Overall Grand Champion at the prestigious Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo World Championship Bar-B-Que contest on Saturday night in addition to earning the top marks for Champion Chicken.
“We’re going to go back and have the biggest party that Houston’s ever seen,” said Commanders’ chief chef Jamie Geer of Fort Worth.
As the rodeo champions, the BBQ Commanders 3 crew were already looking ahead to competing in the Jack Daniels World Championship Invitational, chanting “Tennessee” after their win.
“We’re going to represent Texas well,” said Geer.
Though he wouldn’t divulge the recipe, Geer credited the victory to their homemade rub, a recipe the team has used for 28 years, as well as the addition of a new Jambo pit.
It’s been a much quicker route to the winner’s circle for Champion Brisket winners and first runnerup overall team Fayette County Go Texan, who have earned trophies in both of their first two years in the competition.
“It’s just amazing,” said chief chef Jerry Rhodes.
As to what set their winning brisket apart, Rhodes would only give out one ingredient.
“It’s all about putting love into what we do,” he said.