16th Annual · Charity BBQ Cook-Off
Same grills. Same clock. All heart. Houston pitmasters go head-to-head on identical Weber grills to raise money for The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.
Countdown to Kickoff
Since 2011
Our Story
Stock Grill Challenge is a unique event conceived to level the playing field for contestants to test their skills against each other using the same equipment. Every contest entry is cooked on identical Weber Grills, in the same window of time.
Contestants compete for prizes in Chicken, Ribs, Brisket, and an Open Category where they can turn in anything they like. Fans get in on the action too, voting in person for their favorite non-entry dish and the best team cooking area setup.
There's also a fundraising category where every dollar goes to support The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Held every year on the second Saturday of November, Stock Grill Challenge gives Houston a fun way to cook off — and raise real money for cancer research and patient care.
“But why, some say, BBQ all that meat on a simple grill? Why choose this as our goal? And they may well ask, why climb the highest mountain? Why, 90 years ago, fly the Atlantic? Why does Rice play Texas?
We choose to BBQ. We choose BBQ in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard; because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one we intend to win, and the others, too.
The Stock Grill Challenge Way
What's on the Grill
Classic backyard category — judged on taste, tenderness, and presentation.
Low, slow, and off the bone — Houston's favorite fight for the title.
The ultimate test of patience and pit craft, cooked on identical grills.
Anything goes — contestants bring their most creative dish to the table.
Attendees vote in person for the best non-entry item on the grounds.
Teams go all out — fans crown the best cooking area setup of the day.
Awarded to the team with the highest combined score across Chicken, Ribs, Brisket, and Open — the top prize of the day.
Given to the team that raises the most for MD Anderson Cancer Center by 4:00 PM on event day.
Join Us
Saturday, November 14, 2026 — held annually the second Saturday of November.
Plaza Oaks Club
744 Brittmore Road, Houston, TX 77079
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Every Bite Fights Cancer
100% of funds raised in our fundraising category go directly to The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. You don't have to grill to give — every donation helps fuel research, treatment, and hope.
Scan to Donate
