Montana Sandwich Chef Earns National Spotlight

From the parking lot to the food truck to the national stage. The Treasure State will be represented at the World Food Championships in Indianapolis this year by a chef from Laurel. And yeah, that’s a big deal.

Read More: Why Burger Dive Is Billings' Go-To Spot For Unique Burgers

This is no run-of-the-mill county fair cook-off. WFC is the place where the food world’s heavyweights take up knives, spatulas, and tongs in a quest for hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash and prizes. Montana is now stepping into the ring this year.

From parking lot to national stage

There are some awesome food trucks throughout Montana. They’re the places we come to stop for lunch, take the kids along on a road trip, or just find a hearty meal between two pieces of bread. And now one of those trucks is sharpening up its knives and going to the WFC.

Miguel Hernandez, the owner of La Taqueria, is in the sandwich competition. A sandwich that he has perfected. A milanesa torta. Miguel is a Marine Corps veteran and father. His two oldest daughters work alongside him in the truck.

Montana’s no stranger to winning

This isn’t Montana’s first WFC. The Burger Champion in 2016 was “the Burger Dive” from Billings. That decade sealed Montana’s place on the food map.

And here we are years later, shipping another Los Angeles hopeful, this time from a food truck. I love that. No big franchise. No shiny PR team. Just good food.

The 2025 WFC is taking place this week 10/16-18, in Indianapolis.

We will be watching from Missoula to Miles City. It’s not just about winning. It’s seeing a Montana chef who is a military vet and a fun Dad, compete on the national stage.