San Diego’s Taco Champions Crowned at Food + Wine Festival

The verdict is in at the San Diego Food + Wine Festival’s Grand Fiesta “Taco TKO” competition, and we’ve got our 2024 champions: Mexica Fé’s Chef Ilean Padilla claiming the People’s Choice crown while Palmys Pacific Beach’s Chef Marcus Twilegar secured the Judges’ Choice title.

Liberty Station‘s Ingram Plaza transformed into taco heaven on November 10, where over 2,000 fellow foodies joined the ultimate SoCal taco competition.

Hometown Heroes and Border-Crossing Stars

Chef Padilla wowed the crowd with a mind-blowing creation. We’re talking beef and miso mole with ashed chiles, all nestled in a homemade flour tortilla and topped with a bright green salsa that had everyone coming back for seconds.

Meanwhile, Chef Twilegar proved lightning can strike twice by clinching the Judges’ Choice award for the second year running. His winning move? A guajillo-braised short rib taco decked out with brussels sprouts, crispy sunchoke, and queso Oaxaca—all hugged by a hand-pressed corn tortilla.

A Feast For The Ages

The taco competition brought together 44 of San Diego and Baja’s finest, serving up their A-game to a panel of culinary heavyweights. We’re talking Michelin-starred chefs, beloved local legends, and food critics from both sides of the border judging every delicious detail.

The Winners’ Circle

People’s Choice Awards:

First Place ($3,000): Chef Ilean Padilla, Mexica Fé
Second Place ($1,000): Chef Ben Diaz, Corkfire Kitchen, with a knockout lamb rib birria-queso taco
Third Place ($500): Chef Juan Saad, Alchemy, serving up a showstopping taco zarandeado

Judges’ Choice Awards:

First Place ($1,000): Chef Marcus Twilegar, Palmys Pacific Beach
Second Place: Chef Martin Juarez, Del’s Hideout, with a drool-worthy smoked pork belly creation
Third Place: Chef Lucio A Hernandez, EMMA Baja French, bringing seafood excellence

The spirit of cross-border culinary creativity was perfectly captured by one of our Grand Fiesta “Taco TKO” 2024 winners, Chef Padilla: “California is one, just as gastronomy is one. Events like San Diego Food + Wine create community, culture, and commitment, add value to our product, and dignify the fields of gastronomy and hospitality.”

See you there!

Want to catch next year’s Grand Fiesta “Taco TKO” competition? Keep an eye on the San Diego Food + Wine Festival’s upcoming announcements through the website here. Until then, why not sample these winning creations at their home restaurants?

See you there, San Diego!