TacoMania nets $25,000 for Developing Artist Collaboration

November 1, 2023 26

Developing Artist Collaboration’s seventh annual TacoMania took place Oct. 12 at Big Chill Beach Club featuring 17 local restaurants competing to win titles for the best taco and margaritas creations. In addition to the best sunset around, the DAC also brought in an artist-made paper flower art installation and live music by Hot Sauce Band, along with DJ Jimmy Young.

DAC hosts this event to celebrate the creative side of some of the area’s best chefs and bartenders. The public tastes and votes on their favorites, all in the name of raising funds for DAC’s artist development programming.

“This was our best TacoMania yet. Many of the local restaurants competing have done this year after year, and we are so grateful for their donations of time, staff and product. We love seeing the restaurants get so creative and competitive. This event is so much more than a fundraiser for us. It has become a tradition for our community that we hope to keep going for many more years,” said Leah Beach, DAC founder.

This year’s competition featured tacos and margaritas by the Dewey Post, Big Chill Team, Bethany Blues Lewes, Bluecoast Rehoboth, Bodhi Kitchen, Dewey Beer Co., Dave Dolby Sussex Amvets Post 2, Dogfish Head Brewings and Eats, Jam Bistro, the Lighthouse Dewey Beach, Somewhere, Starboard, Stingray Sushi Bar & Asian Grill, the Station on Kings, Taco Reho, Woody’s Dewey Beach Grill, and Zoca Modern Mexican Cuisine. Each competitor created a unique taco and margarita pairing that was tasted and voted on by attendees. The winners include: Best Rim Job, Stingray Sushi Bar & Asian Grill; first-place margarita, Bluecoast Rehoboth; second-place margarita, Bodhi Kitchen; third-place margarita, Stingray Sushi Bar & Asian Grill; Most Creative Taco, Stingray Sushi Bar & Asian Grill; first-place taco, Bluecoast Rehoboth; seond-place taco, Bethany Blues Lewes; third-place taco, Stingray Sushi Bar & Asian Grill.

In collaboration with La Vida Hospitality, a new Enjoy the Ride Award was featured this year. The award went to the team that was having the most fun competing and engaging with attendees during the event. This year’s winner was the Dewey Post. This award is a nod to the invaluable support that La Vida has shown over the years to the organization, donating the space as well as competing with several of its restaurants over the last seven years. The event is also sponsored by Breakthru Beverage Delaware, Corralejo Tequila, and Holt Paper & Chemical.

To stay updated on DAC events, go to developingarts.org to join its mailing list.