Colorful graphic poster with the words 'TACO FEST' in large 3D rainbow-colored letters, and 'Salt River Fields' at the bottom in blue letters.

SATURDAY OCTOBER 17

SUNDAY OCTOBER 18

welcome

to arizona’s iconic annual festival

awarded “BEST CULINARY EVENT” BY ARIZONA FOOTHILLS

A black background with white text in various sizes reading 'best of our valley' and vertical text 'azfoothills.com', with blue text at the bottom reading '2025 WINNER'.

presented by tequila corrido

POWERED BY

Male musician wearing a straw hat and sunglasses playing an electric bass guitar during an outdoor performance.

SATURDAY OCTOBER 17TH SUNDAY OCTOBER 18TH

11:00AM-6:00PM

SALT RIVER FIELDS, SCOTTSDALE AZ

Top chefs

Premium agave spirits

one unforgettable weekend

  • CURATED LINE UP OF ARIZONA’S TOP TACO CHEFS

  • TEQUILA CORRIDO MARGARITAS, TASTINGS & FLIGHTS

  • GRAND MARNIER CADILLAC MARGARITAS

  • vip area with lux amenities featuring the agave show & uchi scottsdale pop up

  • MULTIPLE MUSIC STAGES

  • celebrity chefs

  • live cooking demonstrations

  • chef beau macmillan hosts the 2nd annual taco fest bar brawl

  • american family insurance KIDS ZONE WITH RIDES, BOUNCE HOUSES & GAMES

  • FREE PARKING

  • KIDS 12 & UNDER GET IN FREE!

Group of five friends taking a selfie at an outdoor event, with a bar and other people in the background under a large tent.

main stage

CELEBRITY CHEFS

LIVE MUSIC

COOKING & COCKTAIL DEMONSTRATIONS

LIVE CULINARY COMPETITION

Photo of featured celebrity Chef Aarón Sánchez. A man with styled dark hair, a beard, and tattoos on his arms, smiling and crossing his arms in a kitchen with wooden cabinets.

AARÓN SÁNCHEZ

Featured Chef // Competition Judge

Sánchez is a James Beard Award-winning chef, restaurateur, Emmy-nominated television personality, bestselling author, entrepreneur and philanthropist, best known as the co-host of Food Network’s Restaurant Impossible: Last Call, a judge on MasterChef, MasterChef Junior and Chopped. He is the chef and owner of Johnny Sánchez in Louisiana and chef and partner of Adobo Cantina, a concept developed in partnership with Sodexo with locations at universities across the country. He is also the founder of the Aarón Sánchez Impact Fund, a program of the Emeril Lagasse Foundation that supports Latino youth through food, and serves as a partner and creative director of COCINA Media, a platform dedicated to celebrating Latin food and culture.

Photo of featured celebrity chef Beau MacMillan. Man with glasses and beard wearing a black baseball cap and black button-up shirt, smiling at the camera, with crossed arms against a dark background.

BEAU MACMILLAN

Featured Chef // Bar Brawl Host // Competition Judge

Chef Beau MacMillan is an American chef best known for his innovative approach to contemporary American cuisine and his longtime role as executive chef at the Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Resort in Paradise Valley, Arizona. Raised in Plymouth, Massachusetts, he discovered his passion for cooking at a young age and trained under renowned chefs before building a national reputation. MacMillan gained widespread recognition through appearances on Food Network programs such as Iron Chef America, The Next Iron Chef, and Worst Cooks in America, where his creativity, competitive success, and approachable personality made him a fan favorite. Throughout his career, he has been celebrated for emphasizing fresh, seasonal ingredients and for helping elevate Arizona’s culinary scene.

Featured Chef Maria Mazon of Boca Tacos in Tucson. Smiling woman with dark curly hair wearing a green striped apron over a white shirt standing against a plain white background.

MARIA MAZON

Featured Chef 

Chef Maria Mazon is the award-winning executive chef and owner of BOCA Tacos y Tequila in Tucson, Arizona, where she is celebrated for her creative Sonoran-inspired Mexican cuisine. Born in Tucson and raised in Navojoa, Sonora, Mexico, Mazon blends the flavors and traditions of both sides of the border into bold, innovative dishes that have earned national recognition. She has appeared on Bravo’s Top Chef and Food Network competitions including Chopped, Tournament of Champions, and Guy’s Grocery Games, while also being named a James Beard Award semifinalist for Best Chef: Southwest. Through her passion for authentic Mexican cuisine and fearless creativity, Chef Maria has become one of Tucson’s most influential culinary ambassadors.

A man sitting outdoors at a park or outdoor area, wearing a maroon baseball cap with red embroidered text, large black glasses, a black zip-up jacket, and a blue collared shirt underneath. He has a beard and mustache, and is smiling at the camera. The background shows green trees and a blurred park setting.
A man sitting outdoors at a park or outdoor area, wearing a maroon baseball cap with red embroidered text, large black glasses, a black zip-up jacket, and a blue collared shirt underneath. He has a beard and mustache, and is smiling at the camera. The background shows green trees and a blurred park setting.

JOSÉ R. RALAT

Head Taco Competition Judge 

José R. Ralat is the James Beard Award-winning Texas Monthly's taco editor, writing about tacos, Mexican food, and food culture. He is the author of American Tacos: A History & Guide. He was fortunate to have lived in Mesa, Arizona, as a child. He lives in Texas with his family and geriatric dog.

BLAKE LUECKE

Featured Chef 

Chef Blake Luecke’s culinary foundation began with his family's influence and formal training at the Professional Culinary Institute in San Jose. After graduating in 2009, he built his early career at LB Steak, Moo Creamery, and the Padre Hotel, where he served as Executive Chef. He then managed the restaurant at Villa Creek Winery before joining Hai Hospitality in 2016 as a Line Cook at Uchi. Rising to Sous Chef in 2018, Blake was instrumental in the 2024 opening of Uchi Scottsdale, where he currently serves as Chef de Cuisine. Outside the kitchen, he enjoys aquascaping, swimming, and spending time with his young family.

LAS CALAKAS - SATURDAY

THE HOURGLASS CATS -SUNDAY

THE CONVEYORS - SATURDAY

FEATURED TACO MAKERS

FULL LINEUP RELEASED SEPTEMBER 2026

just tacos & more

2025 champion!

Three beef tacos with onions, cilantro, and lime on a white plate, with a chili pepper and a glass of orange beverage on the side.

flacos tacos

creations by sergio

VOLANTI

taco chelo

Barbecue taco with shredded meat and pickled pink onions served in a paper food tray.

cuisine privé

la villa df

MARISCO BOYS

ghost street asian taqueria

cinder at the peak

dilla libre

2026 FESTIVAL SPONSORS

LEVEL UP YOUR TACO FEST EXPERIENCE WITH LUX VIP AMENITIES

AGAVE SHOW FEATURING UNIQUE AGAVE SPIRIT TASTING & CRAFT COCKTAILS

UCHI SCOTTSDALE POP UP

TICKETS INCLUDE DRINKS!

A woman with long wavy hair and tattoos on her arms behind a bar, serving drinks to two men at a bar with bottles of tequila in the foreground. The background is decorated with a colorful patterned wall.
Two women with long hair smiling at the camera under a black canopy at an outdoor event. They are wearing black tops with white text and melange denim shorts. In the background, there is a DJ and a green hedge.
Group of people gathered at an outdoor event underneath a large beige umbrella, engaging in conversation.
People interacting at a Patrón tequila booth during an outdoor event, with two women behind the booth serving customers and a group of people in front.
A group of five people taking a selfie together at an outdoor event under a tent, with a bar in the background serving drinks and four people behind the bar, three wearing sombreros.
Group of friends celebrating at a party under a white canopy, with people dancing, sitting, talking, and playing with bubbles.

Pull together your crew and own the day at Taco Fest!

The VIP cabana is your headquarters, right in the heart of the action. No waiting, no stress - just you and your friends posted up in your own dedicated space for the day.

Your package includes:

  • 6 VIP Tickets

  • Reserved Cabana Lounge (in VIP) All Day

  • Tequila Corrido Bottle Service

  • Agave Show Access with Spirit & Cocktail Sampling

  • Taco Platter

  • Chips & Salsa

$1,500 per day | up to 6 people | 21+ | limited availability

pre sale tickets available now

TICKETS ARE SOLD ONLINE ONLY.

 festival FAQs