Smell that? World Championship Barbecue Cook-off fills the air at RodeoHouston

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Jamie Geer says the secret to barbecue is a good pit.

He makes them for a living. It also takes skill, and Geer has that, too.

On Saturday night, he took home two trophies in the World Championship Bar-B-Que Contest at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. One of them was the grand championship trophy.

"Brisket, ribs and evidently I scored high enough to get this," he said, holding the large grand prize trophy.

The cook-off is the prequel to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. It draws thousands of people who breathe in the aroma of everything, from mesquite to oak, and more exotic woods that fuel the pits that burn nonstop for days.

"We're an international event," said the championship barbecue committee chairman Robert Becker. "We have a team that flew from Australia to compete, and countries you don't associate with barbecue. Ireland and Sweden are here. You wouldn't think the U.K. would do barbecue, but it's gone worldwide."

In the barbecue world, this competition is a huge deal and the winner has bragging rights.

Geer also won the championship four years ago, so he has plenty to put on his resume.

While from Fort Worth, he cooked for the Houston team of Buns and Roses.

In this event, it's not about the sauce, but the rub for what's on the pit.

Geer said his secret ingredients are simple: salt, pepper, and garlic.

"But don't tell anyone," he added.

OVERALL WINNERS:

Grand Champion Overall - Buns-N-Roses Cook Team

Reserve Grand Champion Overall - Jasper County Go Texan

Brisket

Champion - Buckshot BBQ

Second Place - Manning Valley Natural Smokers

Third Place - Steve's Cooking Team

Ribs

Champion - Buns-N-Roses Cook Team

Second Place - British Bulldog BBQ

Third Place - Operation BBQ Relief

Chicken

Champion - The Tumble Inn

Second Place - Madison County Go Texan

Third Place - San Patricio County Go Texan

Go Texan

Grand Champion - Jasper County

Reserve Champion - Bee County

Dutch Oven Dessert

Champion - Lingon & Dill BBQ Team

Second Place - Comcast Business

Third Place - Smokin' Stokers

Specialty Awards

Most Colorful Team - Floyd Morrow & Larkin

Runner Up Most Colorful Team - Over the Hill Gang

Go Texan Most Colorful Team - Grid Iron Cookers

Runner Up Go Texan Most Colorful Team - Nueces County

Most Unique Pit - Pit Boss

Runner Up Most Unique Pit - Clifton Chevy Cookers

Best Team Skit - Brazos County

Runner Up Best Team Skit - Bad Girls Gone Wild

Cleanest Team Area - Houston First

Runner Up Cleanest Team Area - Floyd Morrow & Larkin