• taco battle slide1

    The Kraft Heinz Taco Battle

    Tacos are one of today’s best categories for serious menu creativity. Whether an authentic Mexican build or a global mash-up, tacos are approachable and well-loved. The Chef Collective and Kraft Heinz staged the Taco Battle, where four chefs threw down their best taco recipes. Kraft Heinz was proud to sponsor the event, held at El Loco in Toronto. SEE OUR VIDEO
  • taco battle
    The judges evaluated each entry on taste, originality, use of secret ingredient and presentation. Guillermo Herbertson triumphed overall. “The battle was fantastic—I drew on my Mexican upbringing, relied on the amazing products and had fun with the recipes,” he says. “Tacos are such a great platform for creativity.”
  • taco battle
    The four chef competitors chose from ingredients that gave them the building blocks for assertive, craveable flavour combinations. Tapatío Hot Sauce delivered heat through an authentic Mexican profile. Richardson Barbecue Sauces provided rich, tangy marinades and finishes. And Renée’s line of aiolis gave competitors high-impact finishes for their tacos.
  • taco battle
    Herbertson triumphed in Round 1 with Tacos Ahogados de Puerco—pork tacos flavoured with a rich marinade boasting Richardson Ultimate Korean BBQ Sauce, poblanos, lime, cilantro and Tapatío Hot Sauce. “I topped it with a tomatillo salsa, using Renée’s Jalapeno-Lime Aioli to punch up the flavour—it tasted like homemade. I was so impressed with it,” says Herbertson.
  • taco battle
    Michael Sutherland faced off with Raymond Chachi Costain in Round 2, and Sutherland emerged victorious with his Moo’s Island Taco. This clever combination of flavours and textures featured flank steak seared then sauced with Richardson Ultimate BBQ Sauce and a tropical slaw made with mango, lime, Boca Vegetable Crumble, garlic and vinegar. Fried plantains finished the taco.
  • taco battle
    In the final round, Herbertson and Sutherland battled. Herbertson won, wowing the judges with his Tacos Dorados de Camaron—crisp-fried shrimp tacos. He marinated the shrimp in Mama Linda Chopped Tomatoes, chiles, Tapatío Hot Sauce, lime and cilantro, then rolled the shrimp into the tortillas, frying until golden brown. He topped the tacos with a crunchy jicama slaw.
THE ULTIMATE TACO
Get inspired by these winning flavour combinations
secret ingredient tapatio left

Tacos Dorados de Camaron

secret ingredient renees right

Tacos Ahogados de Puerco

Guillermo Herbertson
winning chef

Guillermo Herbertson

  • CORPORATE CHEF, Food Dudes
  • GO-TO INGREDIENT: cilantro
  • FAVOURITE KRAFT HEINZ PRODUCT:
    Tapatío Hot Sauce—it’s got great, authentic flavour
The Richardson Barbecue Sauce was on point, acting as a PERFECT SAUCE and MARINADE for my taco builds.— Guillermo Herbertson
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