Rio Grande Valley Taqueria Owner Named Best Chef in Texas

MISSION, TX — The owner of a taqueria representing the Rio Grande Valley has been named Best Chef in Texas at the 2024 James Beard Foundation Restaurant and Chef Awards. 

Ana Liz Pulido, owner of Ana Liz Taqueria won in the category for Best Chef in the Texas region. 

Information states that the JBF Awards honor excellence across the culinary industry from fine dining to casual small businesses in local communities, and annually recognize food industry leaders from across the country.

Ana Liz Taqueria specializes in authentic Mexican food and tortillas made from scratch using fresh masa made in-house.

In her acceptance speech Monday night, Pulido thanked her father, her biggest inspiration. 

“I’m speechless,” she said. “The first person I want to thank is my dad.” 

She said she was honored to be able to represent the Rio Grande Valley. 

“We are a small town in south Texas just minutes from the border of Mexico,” she said, continuing to thank her family and colleagues. 

Ana Liz Taqueria was previously nominated in 2023 in the same category.

The voting process for the James Beard Awards involves multiple rounds of tastings from committee members who live in the requisite region, including food writers, critics, and culinary instructors. 

For more information about the awards and to view the full list of winners, visit the website here.