FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact:
Brustman Carrino Public Relations
nola@brustmancarrinopr.com
305.573.0658

On Thursday, March 23, 2017, 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: Top Creative Taco, Top Traditional Taco, Top Creative Cocktail and Top Traditional Margarita and winners are as follows:

JUDGE'S CHOICE

TRADITIONAL TACO
1st Place - Taqueria Chilangos
2nd Place - Canal Street Bistro
3rd Place - Felipe's Taqueria

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.
A special thank you to Top Taco Judges, including: 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.

Images from the festive evening are available here (photo credit Top Taco NOLA): Top Taco Apres Photos

For more information, visit www.toptaconola.com

 

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About One Heart NOLA
The vision for One Heart NOLA began in 2008 by two foster families who recognized that the needs of foster children, birth families and foster families were greater than the State was able to provide. With a grass roots effort, we began spreading the word about the various needs to family, friends, neighbors and church members as well as going to garage sales asking for the children's items that didn't sell. People were so happy to give knowing that local children would be the recipients. It didn't take long for an empty bedroom to become a resource center benefitting children and families in need. In October 2015, One Heart was granted its 501c3non-profit status. Run by volunteers, One Heart NOLA remains a grass roots operation believing that people best help people. 100% of the money donated to the organization goes to the children.