Sold-Out Top Taco Fest Raises $20K+ For One Heart NOLA

NEW ORLEANS – On Thursday, March 23, more than 3,000 charity-minded taco and tequila lovers gathered at Riverwalk’s Spanish Plaza for the inaugural Top Taco Festival presented by Paddlewheeler Creole Queen. The inaugural culinary and cocktail competition, which featured 40 of New Orleans’ top chefs and mixologists, raised more than $20,000 to support One Heart NOLA’s work to raise awareness and funds for the city’s foster children.

         Event judges and attendees voted on favorites in four categories:

 

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JUDGES’ CHOICE

TRADITIONAL TACO

1st Place – Taqueria Chilangos

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Sunni LeBeouf

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2nd Place – Canal Street Bistro

3rd Place – Felipe’s Taqueria

 

- Sponsors -

CREATIVE TACO

1st Place – Blue Oak BBQ

2nd Place – Kingfish

3rd Place – La Casita

 

TRADITIONAL MARGARITA

1st Place – Mizado

2nd Place – Johnny Sanchez

3rd Place – Carreta’s

 

CREATIVE TEQUILA COCKTAIL

1st Place – Mizado

2nd Place – Del Fuego

3rd Place – Butcher

 

 

PEOPLE’S CHOICE

TRADITIONAL TACO

1st Place – Taqueria Chilangos

2nd Place – Tequila House

3rd Place – Felipe’s Taqueria

 

CREATIVE TACO

1st Place – Johnny Sanchez

2nd Place – The Rum House

3rd Place – Velvet Cactus

 

TRADITIONAL MARGARITA

1st Place – Johnny Sanchez

2nd Place – Mizado

3rd Place – Nacho Mama’s

 

CREATIVE TEQUILA COCKTAIL

1st Place – Tequila House

2nd Place – Masquerade

3rd Place – Barcadia

 

ULTIMATE TOP TACO

Taqueria Chilangos

 

         Guests also enjoyed a silent auction and live entertainment by Muevelo, Los Poboycitos and Otra. This year’s after party took place a stone’s throw away at Barcadia, where Chefs and participants enjoyed libations into the wee hours.

         Top Taco Judges included Jose Ralat, Alon Shaya, Ian McNulty, Abigail Gullo, Liz Williams, Emily Coleman, Frank Brigtsen, Andrew Marin, Dominique Macquet, Bryan Dias, Charles Divins, Michael Durbin, Alessandra Madrid and Maggie Robert, Leroy Mitchell, Aaron Wilkinson, Councilman Jason Rogers Williams, Linda Green/Yakamein Lady, Hank Staples and Sal Agnello.

         For more information

 

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