Tacos 'N Tequila announces list of chefs and bartenders

GREENVILLE, S.C. – The lineup of chefs and bartenders that will compete in the taco and cocktail creation challenge at the third annual Tacos & Tequila Fiesta, presented by Lunazul 100% Agave Tequila is ready to commence wowing your taste buds.


Presented by Lunazul 100% Agave Tequila and produced by High Spirits Events, the Tacos & Tequila Fiesta is set to take place on Sunday, April 7 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at The Old Cigar Warehouse, 912 S. Main Street, Greenville. With more than 1,000 people in attendance at last year’s fiesta, this stacked lineup of talented chefs and bartenders is sure to bring the crowd right back:


Chef challenge:

1. Jorge “Papi” Barrales – Papi’s Tacos
2. Hector Batista – Tacos & Mas
3. Amanda Nubson – Chuy’s Tex Mex
4. Aaron – Tin Lizzy’s
5. John Makka – Ji – Roz
6. Shane Robertson – Up On the Roof
7. Kevin Lucas – The Bohemian Cafe
8. Jesse Roque – Madame Roque’s Taco Emporium & Pickled Curiosities
9. Haydn Shaak – Restaurant 17
10. David Grillo – Cantina 76
11. Tony Aponte – Taco La Barra
12. William Cribb- Willy Taco
13. Shane & Matt- Good Life Catering
14. Abel Gonzalez- Mexibilly

Bartender Challenge:

1. Cody Briner – Tin Lizzy’s
2. Devin Dwyer – The Bohemian Cafe
3. Jesse Roque – Madame Roque’s Taco Emporium & Pickled Curiosités
4. Baxter Tisdale Jr. – Chuy’s Tex Mex
5. Tyler Cummings – Restaurant 17
6. Kelsey Johnson – Topside Pool Club
7. Angelo Calato – Ji-roz
8. Rachel Miller – Taco La Barra
9. Team Cantina 76 – Cantina 76
10. Zack Callahan – Gringos Cantina
11. Up Team – Up On the Roof
12. Team Willy- Willy Taco

Judging for best taco, best sidekick (side dish or dessert) and best cocktail using Lunazul 100% Agave Tequila will be done by local judges. Winners for each category will gain bragging rights for a year as well as the coveted Golden Sombrero Award. In addition to the judge’s awards, there will also be a People’s Choice Award and Social Media Star Award for the bartenders and chefs that will be calculated using social media channels.


Tickets can be purchased at www.tacotequilafiesta.com. VIP tickets, available for advance purchase only, are $60 and include 10 tasting tokens for the event as well as early admission starting at 3 p.m. General admission tickets start at $45 in advance, or $55 day of, and include eight tequila tasting tokens and 4 p.m. admission. All tickets include unlimited tacos, live entertainment, and games to enjoy throughout the event. For every ticket sold, $1 will benefit Greenville Technical College’s Culinary Program.


All attendees must be 21 years of age or older and have a valid ID on them to enter the fiesta.


About Tacos & Tequila Fiesta and High Spirits Events:
High Spirits Events is proud to introduce Greenville’s high energy foodie festival. High Spirits Events is a division of High Spirits Hospitality. They’ve brought in the area’s best restaurants and bars to bring you the best tacos and handcrafted Lunazul 100% Agave Tequila cocktails. Tickets include exclusive access to all you-can-eat tacos, tequila cocktail samples, cash bar, music from DJ Kel, live Lucha Libre wrestling, and more. Learn more at www.tacotequilafiesta.com.
About The Old Cigar Warehouse:
Located at 912 S. Main Street across from Fluor Field in the West End, The Old Cigar Warehouse features more than 7,000 square feet of event space, an open catering policy and full event support, allowing the venue to deliver a seamless event. The Old Cigar Warehouse was built in 1882 and historically used as a warehouse for cigars and cotton. With 30-foot-high ceilings, exposed brick and stained floors, the warehouse is sure to inspire the most creative of events.  It is a division of High Spirits Hospitality. www.oldcigarwarehouse.com.