Taco Challenge 2018 Winners

The  Vancouver Foodster 5th Taco Challenge was a huge success featuring taco creations from restaurants around Vancouver. Each restaurant featured their taco creation from May 3 – 27, 2018. Our media judging panel determined the ultimate winners of the challenge, and this was quite the task as each judge who tasted each creation with a rigorous process based on taste, originality/uniqueness and presentation/appearance.

Our media judging panel determined the ultimate winners of the challenge, and this was quite the task as each judge who tasted each creation with a rigorous process based on taste, originality/uniqueness and presentation/appearance.

Each media judge scored each creation with a maximum of 40 points as follows: Overall Taste 20 points, Originality and Uniqueness 10 points, Presentation and Appearance 10 points. The highest number of points a challenge creation could have been awarded is 120 points.

Our Media judges for this challenge were: James Chung, Jay Minter, and Teresa Ly.

The Winners are:

1st Place:

{106 points}

Maizal

Ebi Chamoi

Price: $8.75

Created by: Rodrigo and Nana

Description: Japanese Mexican fusion, Tempura prawns with a mango salsa and umeboshi glaze, all on top of a hibiscus tortilla.

Offered: all the time

Maizal

2815 Main Street, Vancouver

Tel: (604) 709-0813

Web: https://www.maizalrestaurant.ca/

Twitter: @maizalyvr

Instagram: @maizal_yvr

Rodrigo and Nana

2nd Place:

{101 points}

Patron Tacos & Cantina

Caribbean Vibes

Price: $5

Created by: Chef Andres Lopez

Description: Fish Chicharrón Taco with a house-made Green plantain tortilla, tilapia chicharrón seasoned with spices, cilantro aioli, topped with mango/habanero/cucumber chutney. Garnished with green & red bell peppers.

Offered: Monday – Friday 12pm -5pm

Patron Tacos & Cantina

265 Robson Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-558-3368

Web: http://www.patrontc.com/

Twitter: @patrontc

Instagram: @patrontc

 

3rd Place:

{100 points}

Las Tortas

El Campechano Taco

Price: $9.50

Created by: Chef Moises Toyber

Description: Our version of a Popular Taco in Mexico, a mix of pork and beef combined to a delicious taste. Grilled Sirloin Beef & Chorizo, mixed with bits of crunchy chicharron & nopalitos (cactus leaves), Served on a bed of refried black beans in a Chipotle Tortilla, topped with sweet habanero mango crema, queso fresco, & pico de gallo. Side of Jicama Cucumber Slaw.

Offered: All the time

Las Tortas

3353 Cambie Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-569-1402

Web:  http://www.lastortas.ca/

Twitter: @LasTortas

Instagram: @lastortascambie

Chef Moises Toyber

In the People’s Choice Awards category, the public who tried the Taco Creations were the ones who had the opportunity to cast their vote throughout the challenge.

The Winners are:

1st Place People’s Choice:

Maizal

Ebi Chamoi

Price: $8.75

Created by: Rodrigo and Nana

Description: Japanese Mexican fusion, Tempura prawns with a mango salsa and umeboshi glaze, all on top of a hibiscus tortilla.

Offered: all the time

Maizal

2815 Main Street, Vancouver

Tel: (604) 709-0813

Web: https://www.maizalrestaurant.ca/

Twitter: @maizalyvr

Instagram: @maizal_yvr

 

2nd Place People’s Choice:

Las Tortas

El Campechano Taco

Price: $9.50

Created by: Chef Moises Toyber

Description: Our version of a Popular Taco in Mexico, a mix of pork and beef combined to a delicious taste. Grilled Sirloin Beef & Chorizo, mixed with bits of crunchy chicharron & nopalitos (cactus leaves), Served on a bed of refried black beans in a Chipotle Tortilla, topped with sweet habanero mango crema, queso fresco, & pico de gallo. Side of Jicama Cucumber Slaw.

Offered: All the time

Las Tortas

3353 Cambie Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-569-1402

Web:  http://www.lastortas.ca/

Twitter: @LasTortas

Instagram: @lastortascambie

 

3rd Place People’s Choice:

Patron Tacos & Cantina

Caribbean Vibes

Price: $5

Created by: Chef Andres Lopez

Description: Fish Chicharrón Taco with a house-made Green plantain tortilla, tilapia chicharrón seasoned with spices, cilantro aioli, topped with mango/habanero/cucumber chutney. Garnished with green & red bell peppers.

Offered: Monday – Friday 12pm -5pm

Patron Tacos & Cantina

265 Robson Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-558-3368

Web: http://www.patrontc.com/

Twitter: @patrontc

Instagram: @patrontc

Chef Andres Lopez

Thank you to all the restaurants that accepted my invitation and featured the Taco Challenge creations on the menu for the past few weeks during this challenge.

I encourage you to visit the winning restaurants to try their Taco creations! See all the Taco Challenge Entries Here.

By: Richard Wolak

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