What are the competitions taking place?
Local bartenders and chefs are invited to register and participate in a head-to-head battle for who can make the best signature Lunazul 100% Agave Tequila Cocktail, best taco or sidekick (side dish or dessert).
Bartenders will be pouring 5 ounce tequila cocktails to festival attendees and will be asked to make 20-25 gallons total. The festival will provide bartenders with Lunazul Blanco OR Reposado 100% Agave Tequila. Bartenders must provide their mixers. Bartenders will also get a .25 for per serving stipend for participating.
Chefs will provide around 1,200 tacos and if they like, a sidekick (this should be a prepared side dish, no chips and salsa please). The festival will pay each restaurant a .60 per serving food stipend and provide paper goods.
Bartenders will be pouring 5 ounce tequila cocktails to festival attendees and will be asked to make 20-25 gallons total. The festival will provide bartenders with Lunazul Blanco OR Reposado 100% Agave Tequila. Bartenders must provide their mixers. Bartenders will also get a .25 for per serving stipend for participating.
Chefs will provide around 1,200 tacos and if they like, a sidekick (this should be a prepared side dish, no chips and salsa please). The festival will pay each restaurant a .60 per serving food stipend and provide paper goods.
How is the competition judged?
The contest will be judged by local judges, and competitors will be judged on a scale of 1-5 in categories like Most Creative Taco, Best Tasting Cocktail, Best Sidekick and more. There will also be a People's Choice Award where you the people can vote on their favorites, and a Social Media Star Award based on event engagement! All winners will be announced at 4:45 PM on the stage at the festival.
Overall Judging: We have a panel of 5 judges. The judges will be scoring each cocktail and taco 1-5 for creativity, balance, presentation, and overall taste. Our staff will come get your dish or cocktail when it's time for them to taste. The highest score in each category wins!
People's Choice Award: When attendees enter the event they will be given 2 tokens and encouraged to cast their token for their favorite taco and tequila cocktail at our voting booth.
Social Media Star: Before and during the festival, we'll be watching your restaurant's Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages to see if you are promoting the events. We'll tally up who has the most social media savvy by counting up the number of posts and your audience engagement. Don't worry, our Marketing Team will provide you with plenty of content to share!
Overall Judging: We have a panel of 5 judges. The judges will be scoring each cocktail and taco 1-5 for creativity, balance, presentation, and overall taste. Our staff will come get your dish or cocktail when it's time for them to taste. The highest score in each category wins!
People's Choice Award: When attendees enter the event they will be given 2 tokens and encouraged to cast their token for their favorite taco and tequila cocktail at our voting booth.
Social Media Star: Before and during the festival, we'll be watching your restaurant's Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages to see if you are promoting the events. We'll tally up who has the most social media savvy by counting up the number of posts and your audience engagement. Don't worry, our Marketing Team will provide you with plenty of content to share!
When is the deadline to register for the competition?
The registration is based on space availability, so, if you think you have what it takes, fill out the appropriate form under the Participate tab and enter for a chance to be the Taco, Sidekick, or Cocktail champion. All registrations should be turned in by April 15 with recipes submitted by April 22. Space is limited, so we recommend you sign up today!
What are the rules for registering for the competitions?
There are a few. For the most complete list of the rules and information needed to register, visit the Participate tab for either Bartenders or Restaurants.
Do I have to be employed by a bar/restaurant to participate?
Yes, all participants must be employed and supported by a bar or restaurant to participate. Any restaurant located within 100 miles of Greenville is welcome to participate.
What kind of media will this event get?
We are working with our friends at Complete PR to push this event to local media. We expect to have various food and social writers from GVL Today, Community Journals, Greenville News, TALK Magazine, and local food bloggers. We also expect some TV coverage, both before during the event. We'll be providing media with press kits and media badges so you can tell who they are. If you are media and would like to apply for a media badge, email [email protected].
How many people will be attending the festival?
We anticipate 1,200-1,500 attendees at this year's fiesta.
What will my set-up look like?
Bartenders: Each bar station will consist of a 6' front bar, 6' back table, and access to a trash can. We are also providing bar mats, ice, and 5-ounce sample cups. Bartenders should provide their own smallwares including drink dispenser, ice bucket, ice scoop, cocktail shaker, fruit tray, towels, knife & cutting boards, ice cooler, etc. We are not providing straws or beverage napkins since the cups are so short.
Chefs: Taco stations will have an 8' front table, 8' back table and access to a trash can. We'll also provide small paper boats, forks, and napkins. Restaurants should bring any smallwares or cooking equipment including fork baskets, napkin baskets, serving utensils, gloves, towels, etc. If you are going to be cooking, you will need to let us know of your electricity/fryer/grill needs and plan on bringing a sufficient 50' extension cord. Power is limited, so we prefer butane burners if possible. If you are using a fryer, you will need to bring a Class K fire extinguisher and grease mat. All grilling and frying will take place backstage, so plan appropriately.
All stations are encourages to dress up their area with swag and signage from your restaurant. We will have signs at each station, so I wouldn't bring a banner but you can do smaller signs and printed collateral.
Chefs: Taco stations will have an 8' front table, 8' back table and access to a trash can. We'll also provide small paper boats, forks, and napkins. Restaurants should bring any smallwares or cooking equipment including fork baskets, napkin baskets, serving utensils, gloves, towels, etc. If you are going to be cooking, you will need to let us know of your electricity/fryer/grill needs and plan on bringing a sufficient 50' extension cord. Power is limited, so we prefer butane burners if possible. If you are using a fryer, you will need to bring a Class K fire extinguisher and grease mat. All grilling and frying will take place backstage, so plan appropriately.
All stations are encourages to dress up their area with swag and signage from your restaurant. We will have signs at each station, so I wouldn't bring a banner but you can do smaller signs and printed collateral.
Do I have to provide tacos? What if I have another food item I want to promote?
We are a foodie festival, which means we are willing to consider any type of food booth if you can provide enough servings for our attendees to enjoy. That means if you have salsa, pastries, sno-cones, or more, we can probably find a home for you, you just won't be eligible to participate in the Taco Challenge (unless you are a participating restaurant with a sidekick). To see if we have room for you, email t[email protected]. Please note that we do not allow participants to sell items during the event.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO ENTER THE COMPETITION?
NOTHING! WE DO NOT CHARGE FOR PARTICIPATING–ALL WE ASK IS THAT YOU BRING YOUR A-GAME! We provide a stipend to help cover your costs.