Top Taco, New Orleans’ signature taco and cocktails event, will host the inaugural Food Fight presented by Stella Artois from 6–10 p.m. on Thursday, May 26, on Crescent Park on the New Orleans riverfront.
The all-inclusive food and cocktail competition will take place at the Mandeville Shed and Ellipse Lawn at Crescent Park, located at the foot of Esplanade Street 2300 N. Peters Street. The one-night-only event will benefit the PLEASE Foundation, a nonprofit that provides mentorship, leadership training and scholarships for at-risk teens to attend local college-preparatory high schools in the New Orleans area.
Top Taco Festival producer Shane Finkelstein credits the support of sponsors and the $30,000 raised for the PLEASE Foundation as the impetus for Food Fight.
“Food Fight will be a New Orleans food version of Top Taco,” says Finkelstein. “Our extremely supportive fans will have the opportunity to taste both classic and creative dishes and cocktails from 40 of the best restaurants in the city. We see an opportunity to showcase the best of the best and find out which restaurants are ready to fight for the NOLA Board trophies. We plan to reward our fans with an amazing night of food, drinks and entertainment, while raising money for a great cause.”
Top Taco fans and celebrity judges will select winners in the categories of classic dish, creative dish, classic cocktail, creative cocktail and vegetarian dish.
Restaurant competitors for Food Fight include Emeril’s, Meril’s, Saint John, Otra Vez, Misa, Josephine Estelle, Boucherie, Johnny Sanchez and Silk Road, among many others. Spirits competitors include Maker’s Mark, Woodford Reserve, Jack Daniel’s, Ford’s Gin, Skrewball Whiskey, Jagermeister, Who Dat Spirits, Jameson’s, Fistful of Bourbon, Bayou Rum, Casamigo’s and El Buho Mezcal.
Attendees will have access to pop-up bar areas and DJ lounges, spirit tastings, live music by Honey Island Swamp Band, James Andrews and Trixie Minx Burlesque, among other acts.
Gates open for early entry at 6 p.m., with first tasting and fan voting beginning at that hour. General admission entry begins at 7 p.m. Fan votiNew Orleans Food Fight brings dozens of restaurant vendors to Crescent Park
General admission tickets are $75. Early entry and First Tasting tickets are $95, with VIP tickets selling for $125. Once inside the festival, all food and drinks are included. Additional information and ticket purchase options may be found at foodfightnola.com.
