The Buck and Wing Team

09/20/2026

Hey, we know him! 🔥

Get to know the Houston Chapter Board Members!

John H. Kalfayan, Texas Chefs Association Houston Chapter Master at Arms.

John H. Kalfayan has built a distinguished culinary career rooted in craftsmanship, leadership, and service to others. His passion for barbecue led him to spend 15 years as a pitmaster in Ponca City, Oklahoma, while also competing for 10 years as a member of the Buck and Wing BBQ Rodeo Team.

Dedicated to giving back to the community, John volunteered with Wounded Warriors for three years and has proudly served with Mercy Chefs for the past 12 years, providing meals and support to communities affected by disasters and times of need.

For the past decade, John has been an active member of both the Texas Chefs Association (TCA) and the American Culinary Federation (ACF), where he continues to support the culinary profession through mentorship, education, and community involvement. He currently serves as Protein Chef with Lakeland, bringing decades of experience, passion, and commitment to culinary excellence to his role each day.

03/09/2026

Post-Cookoff news from the Buck & Wing Team! 🔥

Today we headed over to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Junior Commercial Steer Auction… and we bought a steer! 🐂

We had the opportunity to support the hardworking youth who raise and show these incredible animals as part of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, and we couldn’t pass up the chance to be a part of it this year.

So what happens next?

Our steer will be processed into ground beef and brisket, and we’re already making plans for it. Next year at the cookoff, we’ll be serving him up for lunch in the tent — a true full-circle barbecue moment.

Supporting the next generation of agriculture while bringing great food to our friends and guests… that’s a win in our book.

We can’t wait to share it with everyone!

03/02/2026

As the cookoff smoke has cleared and rodeo officially kicks off - we want to give a special shoutout to one of our longest standing members who is a true backbone of the Buck and Wing Team! Rosa (left) has been with us since 1998… that’s 28 YEARS of dedication to our team ❤️🔥

If you’ve ever enjoyed a plate in our tent at the World’s Championship Bar-B-Que Contest, just know… it’s because she keeps this operation running smoothly behind the scenes. As one of our dishwashers, she may not always be front and center, but she is absolutely essential to everything we do. Clean pans, organized chaos, and a kitchen that keeps moving — that’s Rosa’s magic.

Through rain or sunshine, late nights, and early mornings, she’s shown up for us year after year with loyalty and heart (and pupusas!!!)

Rosa, we are so grateful for you. Here’s to many more years together! 🧡🔥

03/01/2026

Our cookoff team is like family as it is, but this picture reminds us it’s even deeper than that. This is what it’s really about — traditions, long nights under the tent, and the next generation growing up in the middle of the smoke and the laughter. 🔥🍖

03/01/2026

Missing a few folks during picture time, but here’s most of us 🤪 it was a pleasure serving you Houston, we hope you enjoyed yourselves!

03/01/2026

Last night, best night heeeeeey yall!

03/01/2026

Dinner is served for the last night of cookoff. 🇺🇸

02/28/2026

See this hat in our tent tomorrow! We heard there was a wedding or something. 👀

02/28/2026

POV: You’re the bartender at Buck and Wing. You said “just one.” I heard “line ’em up.” 😎🔥 Cookoff weekend in full swing!

02/27/2026

Rebecca has dance mom duties and wedding tasks to take care of this afternoon and had to miss Dutch oven this year. So, she gathered up all of the ingredients and passed a recipe to Koby to let him have his first go. It looks pretty dang good from here!