PRESS RELEASE
South African manufacturer of quality Mexican produce wins global award
Johannesburg, 17 May 2023 – For 26 years, Mexican immigrants Gaby and Hector Agraz have been feeding South Africa’s appetite for spicy delights like tacos, nachos and tortillas. Now the founders of Azteca Mexican Food Products in Midrand, Johannesburg have been recognised on the world stage as manufactures of ‘Authentic tortilla outside Mexico’.
In April this year, Mexicans from around the globe gathered at the Hyatt Regency Dubai Creek Heights Hotel in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to celebrate Mexican gastronomy at The Golden Taco – Taco de Oro! – awards organisedby the Cocineros MX por el Mundo platform. The publisher of the first magazine dedicated to celebrating Mexican gastronomy abroad, Cocineros MX por el Mundo recognises Mexicans in the entire world sharing their passion for the country’s culinary culture.
On this score, there is much to celebrate. Mexico’s contribution to global cuisine is legendary: the potato, avocado, chocolate, corn, vanilla, tomatoes and chilli peppers are all indigenous to the North American country. With an estimated 15% of food ingredients eaten around the world today originating in Mexico, the country was recognised by UNESCO in 2010 for its contribution to global cultural heritage.
Only 10 Taco de Oro awards were handed out during the Dubai awards ceremony on 14 April, as well as 68 plaques and three special prizes, as Mexican food producers flew into the UAE to rub shoulders with prominent Mexican culinary personalities and Michelin Star chefs. Among them was Gaby Agraz, affectionately known as ‘The Nacho Lady’ in South Africa.
Founded in 1997, shortly after the Agraz family moved to South Africa, Azteca Mexican Food Products was born out of the couple’s shared vision to produce locally made, yet authentic Mexican food products for the South African market.
Today, Azteca supplies some of the most popular restaurant chains in South Africa, including Spur, Bandito’s and multiple restaurants under the Famous Brands banner, as well as independent restaurants, hotels, schools, catering businesses and specialized deli shops. The company, which specialises in corn and wheat products, manufactures nachos, taco shells, tortillas and wraps according to traditional recipes. Azteca also sells directly to the public through its Midrand-based retail factory shop, which offers a range of exotic dried chillies, condiments, salsas, moles, cooking sauces, beans, nacho chips and tortillas.
Reflecting on Azteca’s Golden Taco Award win, Gaby says: “It’s so nice to be recognised for doing something that you love. Since we started Azteca, it’s just been my job. When I tell the story of how we ended up here, people say what a lovely success story, and well, it’s my life.”
However, she admits that being recognised by the global Mexican community is a particular honour. “It feels like even though there are so many Mexicans around the world, we’re doing something together. And it makes you feel even more Mexican, even though you’re so far away from your country.”
After so many years in South Africa, and having built up a business that today employs 40 staff and exports to the rest of Africa, Agraz knows full well the challenges and opportunities of doing business in South Africa. Yet, she sometimes finds it hard to believe that life steered her towards the tip of Africa.
“I never in my life thought I was going to, firstly, be living in South Africa, and secondly, be making tortillas,” she says of a venture that started out as a side hustle business. From a market with very little know-how about authentic Mexican food, Azteca has helped to build a widespread love of Mexican cuisine and produce across South Africa. And the journey has only just begun.
With her son, Hector Jr, bringing fresh dynamism and new ideas to the company, alongside her own plans to develop a series of cooking classes, the Agraz family of Johannesburg are determined to keep South Africa’s relationship with Mexican food alive by serving up innovative and quality products made proudly in South Africa but with their award-winning Taco de Oro flair.
About Azteca Mexican Food Products
Azteca Mexican Food Products was established in Johannesburg in 1997, by Gaby and Hector Agraz. The couple’s vision was to produce locally made, yet authentic Mexican food products for the South African market.
Today, Azteca supplies some of the most popular restaurant chains in South Africa, as well as independent restaurants, hotels, schools, catering businesses and specialized deli shops. The company, which specialises in corn and wheat products, manufactures nachos, taco shells, tortillas and wraps according to traditional recipes.
In addition to exporting to South Africa’s neighbouring countries, Azteca sells directly to the public through its online shop and Midrand-based retail factory shop, which offers a range of exotic dried chillies, condiments, salsas, moles, cooking sauces, beans, nacho chips, tortillas and so much more. The retail factory shop is open to the public from Monday to Friday (except for Public Holidays) from 9:00 – 16:00 and is open on the last Saturday of every month from 9:00 to 13:00.
