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t all started three years ago at The Drinking Room in Stafford, Texas. Bar owners Mike and Joanne Garcia, Leonard Zapata and friends Rufus and Connie Cardenas had the idea to create a new barbeque competition team. Phone calls were made. Other interested cookers were located. Sponsors were found. And TDR Cookers was born.

They are a young team by tenure, but have already competed in many of the local and regional competitions. Trophies are stacked on a table in their competition tent from wins locally (including our very own Fort Bend County Fair) and even San Antonio. Their hope is to secure a large win that will help them get into the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Barbeque Cookoff because there is a formidable waiting list ahead of them.

Each team member has a specialty, and they compete in every category: brisket, chicken, chili, stew, fajitas, ribs, beans —even gumbo. You’ll never get their secret spices or recipes out of them, but I can tell you whatever it is in those plastic bottles is awfully good. Seriously, don ’t miss the brisket. This year at the Fort Bend County Fair, they placed eighth – stew, seventh – chili, seventh – brisket and, best of all, they were awarded the 2008 Showmanship Award in Culinary & Barbeque.

And don’t think this is easy cookin’ either. That brisket takes 12 hours to smoke and cook. For a judging time of 2 p.m., it requires Rufus (the head cook) and Connie to be up at 2 a.m. to start the process, which is why they slept in a pop-up trailer at the Fort Bend County Fair this year. The assistant cooks, Leonard Zapata, Gonzalo Sanchez and Vangie Mireles, arrive early in the morning to start preparation for their category.

But it’s no problem—it’s all part of the fun.

While their spices are no ordinary mix, this is no ordinary cookoff team either. This is a family team and their approach says it all. It ’s good to party and have a good time—and, man, do they—but it’s good to give back as well.

And give back they do. TDR Cookers is registered as a nonprofit entity. From monies raised through winning and catering jobs, the team has given away scholarships to West Texas A &M University and adopts a family from Holy Family Catholic Church in Missouri City every Christmas. Last year, the family had five kids who all wanted bicycles —and bicycles they got, along with some great food for a Christmas feast.

This year will bring more of the same—good food and a chance to do some good work in the community. If you’d like to help be a part of their fun, or want them to bring their fun and food to your next event, check out their Web site at www.thedrinkingroom.net for information and request to be added to the TDR e-mail list for future events.