NEW ORLEANS — Shane Finkelstein, founder of Top Taco, New Orleans’ signature taco and cocktails event, which sponsored Food Fight, presented by Stella Artois, awarded NOLA Boards to the top vote-getters in the inaugural food and spirits competition, held May 26 at Crescent Park.
The Ultimate Food Fight Champion was Johnny Sánchez, top scorer in both fans’ and critics’ voting in the vegetarian category with their crispy cauliflower taco with roasted corn, salsa, queso fresco and chimichurri.
In the Critics’ Vote, four winners were named in each of the five categories.
Top Traditional Dish
Los Jefes Grill, first place
Saint John, second place
Parkway Bakery and Tavern, third place
Matassa’s Market, fourth place
Top Creative Dish
Messina’s Catering & Events, first place
Tchefuncta Country Club, second place
Copper Vine, third place
Table Tap, fourth place
Top Vegetarian Dish
Johnny Sánchez, first place
Sofia, second place
Copper Vine/Bonfire, third place
Boucherie, fourth place
Top Classic Cocktail
Tava Indian Street Food with Sweet Crude Rum, first place
Tchefuncta Country Club with Olmeca Altos, second place
Los Jefes Grill with Jameson Orange, third place
Galliano with Left Bank Whisky, fourth place
Top Creative Cocktail
Sofia with Ketel One Botanicals, first place
Wetlands Sake with Gris-Gris, second place
Saint John with Who Dat Bourbon, third place
Alma Cafe with Flor de Caña Rum, fourth place
In the Fan Vote, four winners were named in each of the five categories.
Top Traditional Dish
Matassa’s Market, first place
Saint John, second place
Parkway Bakery and Tavern, third place
Rizzuto’s Ristorante & Chop House, fourth place
Top Creative Dish
Gris-Gris, first place
Alma Cafe, second place
Los Jefes Grill, third place
Bywater Brew Pub, fourth place
Top Vegetarian Dish
Johnny Sánchez, first place
Sofia, second place
Copper Vine/Bonfire, third place
Boucherie, fourth place
Top Classic Cocktail
Los Jefes Grill with Jameson Orange, first place
Bywater Brew Pub with Tres Generaciones, second place
Tava Indian Street Food with Sweet Crude Rum, third place
Parkway Bakery & Tavern with Deep Eddy Vodka, fourth place
Top Creative Cocktail
Johnny Sánchez, with Quiereme Mucho Mezcal, first place
Sofia with Ketel One Botanicals, second place
Alma Cafe with Flor de Caña Rum, third place
Copper Vine/Bonfire with Casamigos Tequila, fourth place
More than 2,000 fans voted in five categories, along with 34 local celebrities, influencers and foodies who voted in the critics’ division. The four finalists in each category were ranked by chef/author Poppy Tooker (traditional dish), chef Amy Sins of Langlois Catering (vegetarian dish), BBQ champion James Cruse (creative dish), Barrel Proof managing partner Liam Deegan (creative cocktail), and Sazerac Museum’s Matt Ray (classic cocktail).
“The competition was fierce,” said event producer Finkelstein. “We were so excited about the quality of the food and cocktails at our first Food Fight. The chefs and mixologists did not disappoint.”
Food Fight was a benefit for the PLEASE Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides mentoring, leadership training and scholarships to at-risk students in New Orleans. PLEASE provides all the tools necessary for students to attend and succeed in college preparatory high schools. The ultimate goal is for each student to be accepted into college and achieve their greatest potential.
Food Fight 2022 was sponsored by Copeland’s of New Orleans, Louisiana Pepper Exchange, NOLA Boards handcrafted cutting boards, N.O. Vative Printing, Performance Foodservice, The Outlet Collection – Riverwalk New Orleans, Restaurant Marketing Partners, RRCA Roofing & Reconstruction Contractors of America, Stella Artois, TeleLeaf, T-Mobile and Where Y’at magazine.
For additional information on Food Fight 2022, contact James Haik, 504-472-8387 yeehawcreative@gmail.com or visit www.foodfightnola.com.
###