[San Antonio, Texas, December 9, 2021] Join us for the Third Annual San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo Vaquero Cook-Off on February 4th & February 5th, 2022. It will be held in downtown San Antonio in a NEW LOCATION this year – Market Square! The Cook-Off will be held in conjunction with the Western Heritage Parade & Cattle Drive through downtown, which is the official kickoff for the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo. Teams will compete in three main categories - Cook’s Choice, which can be any Traditional Mexican food dish, Chili, and Menudo. New this year, we have added an optional delicious entry – Postre Mexicano – Mexican Dessert. It will be interesting to see what the teams will come up with to compete against each other.

Competitors can get more information and register their teams for $275 per team at: sarodeo.com/vaquero

Awards will be given out in each category. Teams that compete in all three main entry categories will be eligible for Overall Grand Champion & Reserve Champion. Teams will also have the option to compete for Showmanship. In addition to the incredible prizes, plaques and buckles, we will be awarding a cash prize of $1500.00 to the Overall Grand Champion Team and $750.00 to the Reserve Grand Champion Team. Teams can begin checking in on Friday, February 4th at 4:00 pm, with the main check in on Saturday, February 5th at 8:00 am. Judging will run from 1:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Saturday, February 5th. There will be a Kick-Off Party on Friday, February 4th from 5:00 pm to 11:00 pm with live music, entertainment and food and retail vendors. More details to come on this very exciting Kickoff Party to the official Western Heritage Weekend Kickoff to the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo! There will be live music from 2:00 pm to 11:00 pm on Saturday, February 5th. Awards will be announced Saturday, February 5th.

In addition to the Vaquero Cook-Off, we will be hosting the Junior Division Cook-Off to be held on Saturday, February 5, 2022. Local and surrounding area High School Culinary and FFA Cook-Off teams have been invited to a fully sponsored Cook-Off to showcase their culinary skills and represent their schools. The Junior Division will be competing in two categories – Spanish Rice and Charro Beans. Awards for the Junior Division will be announced on Saturday, February 5th.

We will be hosting two fun competitions during the day of the Cook-Off – Jalapeño Eating Contest and a Grito Contest. The competitions will be open to anyone wanting to compete. Registration for the contests will be done on Saturday, February 5, 2022 during the Cook-Off. S

Concessions and vendors will be available throughout Market Square both Friday and Saturday. Guests may be able to sample and purchase the different Cook’s Choice (any traditional Mexican food dish) entries, Chili, Menudo or Postre Mexicano (Mexican Dessert) from the various Cook-Off teams on Saturday.

In addition to being able to enjoy the free entry to the Cook-Off and sample and/or purchase team cooking entries, Vaquero Cook-Off guests can shop with on-site vendors, dine at the incredible restaurants and food vendors in Market Square, drink, dance, listen to live music and enjoy downtown San Antonio and have lots of fun at this exciting San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo event!

In addition to team registration, the Vaquero Cook-Off is offering Sponsor and Vendor opportunities to get involved in this exciting event. Judging opportunities will be available for Sponsors and will be announced at a later date for sign-ups to fill in the remaining Judging spots.

San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo, also known as San Antonio Livestock Exposition, Inc. (SALE) is a non-profit organization supporting Texas youth education and agriculture. To date, the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo educational commitment totals over $232 million awarded to the youth of Texas through scholarships, grants, endowments, junior livestock auction, western art, calf scramble program and show premiums since 1984.