SALSA, TEQUILA & TACO CHALLENGE 2023

Cocktail craft and culinary creativity are taken to a new level at the Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance’s 10th Annual Salsa, Tequila & Taco Challenge on Saturday, August 26! Salsa, tacos, and mixed drinks will surprise attendees.

Preview the chef competitors and restaurants below. Limited tickets are available for this charity foodie competition. Support local cultural programming while enjoying culinary arts, community interactive art, music, and more!  

More than 700 attendees support the community while attending this fun event to sample and vote for the best salsa, tequila and tacos in the region from participating mixologists and chefs. Attendees will experience culture at its finest; combining the culinary arts, live music, and entertainment that highlights the strength and diversity in our community. Join us for one of the most colorful summer “foodie” events in Southern Arizona.

The event will distribute awards from professional judges as well as People’s Choice Awards in over 15 categories to participating restaurants and exhibitors.

​Many chefs and mixologists came to the table to win culinary supremacy, but they are also there to support important charitable causes in the community. This creative collaboration combines resources to help raise monies for SAACA community arts outreach programs and local programming outreach by the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona.

LIMITED TICKETS AVAILABLETICKETS $80 EACH

Tickets include libation, and menu samplings from 30 local professional and emerging restaurants and chefs, with custom salsa and tequila cocktails in over 15 categories. Includes access to live entertainment all night. 21 & Over Event. Tickets are anticipated to sell out and are available for purchase until sold out for $80. Limited tickets are available.

Raffle Tickets are also available for purchase to be entered to win over $2,000 in local gift cards and gift baskets. The event is likely to sell out – purchase your tickets in advance. 

10% off discount with code STT2023EL

CONQUISTADOR TUCSON, A HILTON RESORT
10000 N Oracle Rd
Tucson, AZ 85704
5 PM – 6 PM VIP & PRESS HOUR (SOLD OUT)
6PM – 8:30 PM GENERAL ADMISSION STAY & PLAY PACKAGE FOR ONLY $150/NIGHT

Stay and Play at the El Conquistador Tucson, A Hilton Resort for only $150 plus tax, per night. Call 1-888-370-0980 to make your reservation. Use Group Code: SAA826
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To reserve any suite, accessible room or if you or your guests have any questions, please contact Elicia Robles at 520-544-1155 or Elicia.Robles@Hilton.com

REGISTER TO VOLUNTEER DONATE TO THE RAFFLE FEATURED CHEFS & RESTAURANTS

Interested in participating as a competitor? Contact Jonathan Frahm: jonathan@saaca.org

Amelia’s Mexican Kitchen
@ameliastucson

Old-fashioned cuisine with a modern twist! Specializing in quesabirrias, ceviche, mini chimis, street tacos, margaritas, beer, mezcal and more.Barrio Brewing Co.
@barriobrewingBarrio Brewing Company is Arizona’s oldest brewery, opening back in 1991. After nearly three decades of growth our beers have reached all corners of the state. Our taproom just outside of Downtown Tucson offers a local take on bar food with a quirky industrial atmosphere. Blanco Cocina + Cantina
@blancotacostequila

What is special about Blanco Cocina + Cantina? The laid-back party atmosphere, perfect for sipping the day away serves craveable dishes like Cheese Crisps (aka Mexican Pizza) and the Chimichanga – a Sonoran regional staple!Borderland Spirits

Borderland Spirits specializes in Bacanora. Bacanora is a Sonoran cultural tradition with over 300 years of history and folklore. Bacanora is a distilled spirit from Agave varieties Pacifica and Yaquiana and best harvested at 7-12 years of age.

Cancion Tequila

Canción Tequila is the award-winning brand of 100 percent Blue Weber agave tequilas from international touring and recording artists Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers (formerly The Refreshments). Named after the Spanish translation of ‘Song’, Canción Tequila has found popularity on both sides of the border.

Chilteppica Products
Gloria & Huémac Padilla

Hola! We are Gloria & Huémac, Owners and Co-Founders of Chilttepica Products. Chilttepica was born 2010 and since the beginning, it’s been an adventure for both of us! We have shared our love of cooking for the past 30 years.Corazon Azul Spirits

We at Corazon Azul Spirits are importers & distributors of ultra-premium tequila from Mexico into the USA and elsewhere we are the exclusive distributors of the tequila brand Sin Rival, the most sought-after tequila brand in the USA, rated in the mid to high’90s.

Dante’s Fire @DantesFireAZ
Chef Ken Foy

Dante’s Fire, Cocktails & Cuisine has a simple philosophy – Food made from food. Executive Chef & Owner Ken Foy’s vision of a scratch kitchen creating Fine Food For Everyone.

Dos Equis

As an authentic Mexican beer, Dos Equis® delivers a genuine michelada experience. Our classic Mexican recipe combining flavors of tomato, lime, spice and a hint of salt, with the refreshment of crisp Lager. This is a Mexican Michelada with a flavorful taste and natural flavors.

El Conquistador Tucson, A Hilton Resort
@hiltonelcon
Chef Jonathan Kupper

Eat at El Conquistador! Epazote Kitchen & Cocktails features Southwestern dishes from Chef de Cuisine Jonathan Kupper. Sundance Café serves up breakfast and lunch with Southwestern and traditional favorites. Desert Springs Grill offers poolside lunch and drinks.

El Jimador Flavored Malt Beverages
@eljimadortequila

Young and fresh, el Jimador Silver tequila steps up with truly authentic character. It’s made with 100% hand-harvested blue Weber agave and double distilled with sparkling clarity. We’ve perfected the skills to produce a spirit so rich in flavor that every sip comes to life. Crisp and buzzing with citrus flavors, take a sip or shake it up.

El Mexicano / Batch
Chef Ruben Soto

Taco joint, food truck, and pop-up experience produced by Tucson’s very own Taco King!El Rustico
@TacoRustico

Chef Juan Almanza
After years of delighting patrons at the Tohono O’ Odom Swap with his unique flavors, Chef Juan Almanza brings El Rustico to the heart of Tucson.

Fork & Fire
@forknfirefood
Chef Josh Bishop

Friends and brothers. Fork & Fire is brought to you by three mid-western boys drawn together by a passion to feed people and a flair for intense flavors. We had been cooking for each other and our families for years. Always fans of neighborhood cookouts that bring together friends and neighbors. Recently, jokes and dreams of one day taking to the streets and bringing our fare to a wider audience started to take shape. Focused around the deep flavors created when the heat hits meat, we are excited to bring Fork & Fire to your neighborhood. We hope you enjoy our food as much as we enjoy creating it. Goyita’s
Chef Jose Meza

Family owned and operated by the Meza Family. Our New Mexican-style cuisine is made with the famous chile from Hatch, New Mexico. Come enjoy some delicious food, spice, and tradition. We can’t wait to serve you soon!

Iskashitaa Refugee Network
@iskashitaa_rn

Iskashitaa Refugee Network (IRN) creates opportunities to integrate United Nations refugees into the Southern Arizona community while educating the public, strengthening the local food system, reducing local food waste, and increasing food security. They are bringing their handmade small batch goods, for sale at the Salsa, Tequila & Taco Challenge.

La Gritona Tequila
@lagritonatequila

La Gritona Reposado Tequila is a subtle rested tequila distilled by Melly Barajas and her staff of women at her small distillery in Valle De Guadalupe, Jalisco (NOM 1533). Melly distills La Gritona only with agave that has matured, always with an age of between 8-10 years, and all of her piñas must originate in the iron-rich red soil of the local Jalisco highlands. These agave plants are cultivated at the height of their sugar production, near the end of the life cycle. They are put into ovens within 24 hours of trimming. La Gritona IS and ALWAYS has been additive-free.

HighWire Tucson
@highwiretucson

Chef John Hardin

HighWire is a premier bar, night life, restaurant and community space in downtown Tucson. We’re the home molecular mixology, also offering craft cocktails, an extensive local beer selection and the best music and DJs in town.

Noble Hops
Chef Samuel Alboy
Chef Raquel Lennerton

noblehops is Tucson’s original gastropub, serving an ever-changing menu of craft beer and fine fare. Tucson natives and brothers, Aric Mussman and Joshua Mussman, combined their love of hand-crafted food and beer for their third Tucson-area restaurant, noblehops, in Spring 2011.Queen Ceviche

Feliz Zaborsky

Fresh shrimp ceviche, salsas and our famous organic hibiscus lemonade and syrup! We are set up at markets and select festivals events, check our Facebook page for latest locations, storefront with select weekly hours coming soon!Saffron Indian Bistro
@saffronindianbistro

Chef Saurabh “Mintu” Sareen

In 2008, Saurabh “Mintu” Sareen opened Saffron on Oracle and Suffolk, a sit down and dine Indian cuisine that once again was a hit. Mintu learned that food is a special thing. He has since expanded with catering services, a food truck, and even started a franchise. Working together as a family, all these beautiful creations bring Mintu’s unique dream to life.

Seis Kitchen
@seiskitchen

Award-winning regional Mexican cuisine representing six culinary regions of Mexico!The Landing

Tucson natives Scott and Fini met as summer lifeguards in 1987. While proving to be opposites in demeanor, they found common ground on their tastes regarding straw hats, music, bottle openers and flip-flops. The Landing is born of a collage of influences from the waterfront communities ranging from the Caribbean, the Florida Keys, Mexico and Southern California. It’s a lifestyle footprint – or flip flop print – that we hope will be appreciated by others with similar affinities.

The Lodge at Ventana Canyon
@loewsventana
Chef Wendy Busby

Dine and drink at the Lodge at Ventana Canyon. Enjoy Chef Wendy Busby’s creations in the Catalina Dining Room and enjoy a casual setting with top-notch eats at the Ventana Bar & Grill.

The Red Light Lounge at the Downtown Clifton
@thedowntownclifton
Chef Vinny Magana

The Red Light Lounge is a neighborhood bar tucked inside a neighborhood hotel. We feature local and regional beer, wine and spirits, and contemporary Tucson cuisine that honors our borderland roots.

Tucson Tamale Company
@tucsontamale

In 2008, Todd and Sherry Martin founded Tucson Tamale. Inspired by family recipes they transformed this ancient Latin tradition with an eye on healthier and cleaner ingredients. Today, this husband and wife team continue to make award-winning tamales, spreading the joy one handmade tamale at a time.

White Stallion Ranch
@whitestallionranchaz

A premium advantage of a vacation at White Stallion Ranch is that we do all the cooking for you. We offer a variety of meal options to please most everyone. We use only the freshest, quality ingredients in our home-style recipes to create flavorful meals just like your Mom used to serve.

FEATURED ARTS & ENTERTAINMENTLive Lucha Libre Wrestling
by Rockstar Wrestling Alliance Mariachi Music
by Mariachi Herradura de TucsonEVENT PARTNERSEl Conquistador Tucson, A Hilton Resort
@hiltonelcon

El Conquistador Tucson, A Hilton Resort is an AAA Four Diamond hotel with modern amenities, restaurants, and rooms with amazing Sonoran Desert views.Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona
@foodbankofsa

The Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona responds to the root causes of hunger, and seeks to restore dignity, health, opportunity and hope to people living in poverty. Our mission is to change lives in the communities we serve by feeding the hungry today, and building a healthy, hunger-free tomorrow.

Tucson Foodie
@tucsonfoodie

Tucson Foodie is a community-backed media and events organization dedicated to helping locals and visitors discover, support and experience Tucson, Arizona’s deep-rooted and fast-growing culinary scene.

Shamrock Foods
@shamrockfoods

For over 100 years, we’ve been proudly serving our customers and putting them at the center of all we do. As a family-owned company, we’re no stranger to the power food has in bringing communities together and that togetherness has been essential to our success.

Natural Grocers
@naturalgrocers

From the smallest detail to the largest, whether it’s refrigerating our nuts and seeds for freshness or only selling 100% organic and GMO-free produce, pasture-based dairy, and antibiotic and hormone-free meats… we are, and have always been, your original good4uSM Grocers. And how can we stake our claim for this unconventional title? It goes back to how our company was founded.Pima Federal Credit Union
@pimafederal