La Costeña® TasteMakers Challenge: Recipes, Community & Heart

A Movement Fueled by Flavor

Over two months, food lovers from everywhere cooked, created, and connected with La Costeña® ingredients at the center of their dishes.

The results were delicious and inspiring:

• 120 new recipes created by everyday cooks and creators
• 6 participants from 13 states, each sharing their unique spin on
  tradition
• Thousands of likes, shares, and comments from foodies across the country

But numbers only tell part of the story. The real flavor of TasteMakers came from the people behind the recipes.

Stories that Stole the Spotlight

From a Texan grandmother sharing family secrets to a young Californian blending tradition with fresh creativity, every dish told a story.

Some of the most-loved recipes included:

• Chipotle Mayo by @Amelia.the.foodie
• Carlota de Peaches by @CasaHerrera
• Enchiladas de Chipotle by
  @Cookingconlupita

And then there were the heartfelt moments — like @CookingconlasAdris, who reminded everyone that TasteMakers was never just about winning, but about culture and community. Or @Gibbard, who donated her prize to support teachers, showing the true generosity at the heart of this challenge.

A Special Guest at the Table

To make the challenge even more exciting, we welcomed the beloved chef Pati Jinich as a guest judge. Known for her warmth and expertise, Pati brought authenticity and inspiration to every step of the contest. Her presence reminded us that cooking with La Costeña® means honoring tradition while embracing innovation.

More than a Contest: A Community

The TasteMakers Challenge proved something beautiful: when people cook with love, food becomes more than a recipe. It becomes a way to bring generations together, spark joy, and keep traditions alive.

And for us at La Costeña®, that’s what it’s all about. Every can, every ingredient, every dish it’s an opportunity to bring people closer together.

Your Turn in the Kitchen

We’ve shared the incredible stories of our TasteMakers. Now it’s your turn.

Discover more recipes and inspiration with La Costeña® and make every dish a celebration!