Archive for the 'Culinary Festivals' Tag
November 1st, 2009, 1:38 pm by Jess Harter
Hungry for something to do in November? The penultimate month of the year dishes up a heaping helping of food- and drink-related events all around the Valley. Here are 10 that you might want to mark on your calendar:
 Free Cheeseburger Day: Joe’s Farm Grill celebrates its anniversary every year by handing out free meals — a one-third-pound cheeseburger, fries and beverage — for lunch and dinner. Last year (pictured at left), 3,100 people showed up to take advantage of the Gilbert restaurant’s offer. Nov. 4 at Joe’s Farm Grill in Gilbert. Free. joesfarmgrill.com.
James Beard Foundation Celebrity Chef Tour: Celebrity chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten and Phoenician executive chef Paul Carter will prepare a multi-course meal with wine pairings from master sommelier Greg Tresner to benefit the non-profit Beard Foundation, which promotes the culinary arts. Nov. 5 at J&G Steakhouse. $150 per person. celebritycheftour.com.
Scottsdale Festival of Greece: Gyros, mousaka, souvlaki, spanakopita and baklava are just a few of the Greek food items that will be served up during this annual three-day fest, which also will include a cooking class, films, live music, dancing and children’s activites. Nov. 6-8 at Scottsdale Civic Center. Free admission. azgreekfest.com.
SanTan Apple Fest: This annual fest organized by the Apple Dumpling Café features all things apple — from an apple flapjack breakfast to an apple baking contest to an apple-peeling contest. The day’s numerous activities also will include shopping, art and classic cars. Nov. 7 at Higley High School. Free. appledumplingcafe.com.
 SerbFest: Plenty of authentic Serbian cuisine — including ala carte meals, pastries, imported groceries and Serbian beer and liquor — will be available at this annual two-day celebration. Other highlights will be folk music and dancing, a shopping bazaar and children’s activities. Nov. 7-8 at St. Sava Church in Phoenix. $2. saintsavachurch.com/serbfest.
The Big Pour: This beer-tasting festival sponsored by Draft magazine debuted last November at Mesa’s Hohokam Stadium (pictured at right), but will move to Old Town Scottsdale’s SouthBridge and expand from one day to three. Everclear will head the musical lineup and perform the final night. Nov. 12-14 at Scottsdale’s SouthBridge. $10-$75. draftmag.com.
Corks & Cactus: This annual 21-and-over event will allow people to sample more than 80 boutique wines from around the world along with hors d’oeuvres and desserts. There also will be live music and talks by winery reps. Reservations are required. Nov. 13 at Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix. $80 per person. dbg.org.
Chiles & Chocolate Festival: Vendors will be handing out free samples of spicy salsas and gourmet chocolates, which will be available for purchase. Cooking demonstrations and Spanish flamenco dancing lessons also will take place. Nov. 14-15 at Desert Botanical Garden. Free with garden admission. dbg.org.
Holiday Enchantment: This annual black-tie-optional event features a “Taste of Chandler,” which will include Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse, Firebirds Rocky Mountain Grill, Grimadli’s Pizza and Kokopelli Winery & Bistro, among others. Nov. 20 at Crowne Plaza San Marcos Resort in Chandler. $45. (480) 963-4571.
Arizona Wine Growers Festival at the Farm: Most of the state’s top wine growers will come together for this inaugural event, which will feature wine tastings, interactive exhibits, seminars and live music. Awards will be presented at a $125-per-person dinner that evening at Quiessence. Nov. 22 at the Farm at South Mountain in Phoenix. $50 per person. azwinefestivalatthefarm.com.
Posted in: Chandler • Gilbert • Phoenix • Queen Creek • Scottsdale • Add new tag • Culinary Festivals | Post a Comment »
October 26th, 2009, 9:09 am by Jess Harter
After spending the weekend in a foie gras- and pork belly-induced haze, my usual bowl of Honey Nut Cheerios this morning seems a little mundane. I’m referring, of course, to the Arizona Grand Tasting, the finale of the three-day Crave Arizona culinary festival in Old Town Scottsdale.
I didn’t get to every single dish Saturday, but I tried most of them. While many were impressive, here are the ones I’ll most remember:
 • Estate House hit the sweet spot with foie-stuffed figs rolled in gianduja chocolate and hazelnuts with a sour cherry gastrique (pictured at left on top).
• Petite Maison shared one of its popular late-night treats: roasted bone marrow with a red wine gastrique (second from top).
• Metro Brasserie did a nice double-take on pork with charcuterie topped with pork rind (third from top).
• Talavera also brought lollipops, in this case slightly tart mango cheesecake ones coated with crushed almonds (bottom).
Not all dishes were complex. BLT Steak kept things simple yet delicious with slices of American wagyu hanger steak. Recently opened Crudo did the same with rich butterfish.
Sweet Republic literally trucked in a pair of its artisan ice creams (blue cheese and Medjool date, bacon) as well as a couple sorbets (Cabernet pear, cantaloupe).
Short ribs were popular, from Kazimierz’s tacos to Cafe ZuZu’s on cheesy grits. So was pork belly, whose proponents included Cowboy Ciao and Deseo.
Sassi served up the day’s most-filling samples: Italian sausages on a roll topped with “Roman slaw” and housemade brown mustard, freshly fried Yukon Gold potato chips and seasoned beans.
The wineries represented alone were worth the price of the event’s $75 ticket. I was surprised I never saw a line at the Dunn’s Vineyard table, where they were pouring from $125 bottles of 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon.
In fact, many of the more notable wines — from Justin’s Isosceles to Quintessa’s Faust — seemed to draw the least interest from festivalgoers. I’m not sure what that says about the Valley’s wine palate.
Did you go to the Grand Tasting? If so, what were your favorite dishes?
Posted in: Scottsdale • Culinary Festivals | Post a Comment »
October 21st, 2009, 7:05 am by Jess Harter
No segment of the restaurant industry has been hit as hard as fine dining during the past year, so it’s not surprising the second annual Crave Arizona culinary festival — a showcase for many of Scottsdale’s poshest eateries — has scaled back a little this year.
The three-day festival, which was called Eats3 in its inaugural year, begins Thursday and includes a kickoff party and bartending competition (combined into one event this year), a free ArtWalk, an art gallery dinner (down from six last year), three wine tastings (down from four) and an upscale barbecue.
The centerpiece event, though, is the Arizona Grand Tasting, which takes place Saturday on the canal bridge between Old Town Scottsdale’s SouthBridge and Scottsdale Fashion Square.
Nearly 40 of Arizona’s top chefs will prepare food, and more than 200 wineries will offer samples. Admission to the Grand Tasting, which organizers say is being enlarged this year, is $75 — $10 less than last year — and covers all food, drink, demonstrations and seminars.
 Participating Valley restaurants will include T. Cook’s, Cowboy Ciao, Atlas Bistro, Elements, Zinc Bistro, Posh, Petite Maison, Metro Brasserie, Prado, Sassi, House of Tricks, Lon’s, Talavera and True Food Kitchen.
This year’s roster of celebrity chefs doesn’t have quite the star power of last year’s lineup headed by the legendary Jacques Pepin, but will include Michael Mina, Douglas Rodriguez and “Top Chef” TV show winner Stephanie Izard.
Rodriguez and Izard, who also appeared last year, will be among four chefs giving free cooking demos (vs. five last year) during the Grand Tasting. There also will be a pair of wine seminars (down from four).
Arizona Grand Tasting
When: Noon to 5 p.m. Saturday
Where: The Bridge at the Scottsdale Waterfront, 7135 E. Camelback Road
How much: $75
Info: (888) 946-3277 or cravearizona.com
Other Crave Arizona events leading up to the Grand Tasting:
• Top Bar Chef Competition & Kickoff Party: Bartenders compete for the title of National Top Bar Chef at The Bridge at the Scottsdale Waterfront. The club-like atmosphere will include the spins of DJ Peabody and dessert bites from local chefs. Admission to the party, which starts at 9 p.m. Thursday, is $25 (includes two cocktails).
 • “Taste of Art” ArtWalk: Old Town Scottsdale’s weekly ArtWalk will feature food samples prepared by students at the Arizona Culinary Institute and wines from Washington state. The ArtWalk, which begins at 7 p.m. Thursday, is free.
• “Taste of Art” Gallery Dinner: The Marshall-LeKAE Gallery will host a five-course dinner with award-winning winemaker Fritz Maytag and Deseo chef Rodriguez at 8 p.m. Thursday. Cost is $150 per person.
• Wine Luncheons: Three-course meals with wine pairings will be offered at noon Friday at Atlas Bistro (Miner Family Vineyards), Bourbon Steak (Palmina Winery) and Café Forte (TBD). Luncheons are $50 apiece.
• Library Wine Tastings: Taste and purchase rare wines during hosted tastings Friday at Olive & Ivy (Marc De Grazia Vineyard, 3 p.m.), Calvin Charles Gallery (Juston Vineyard, 4 p.m.) and The Estate House (York Creek Vineyards, 4 p.m.). Tastings are $50 apiece.
• BBQ and Bubbles: This event, which starts at 7 p.m. Friday, includes grilled foods from national and Valley chefs, beer and wine, live music and silent auctions at The Bridge at the Scottsdale Waterfront. Admission is $100.
Posted in: Scottsdale • Crave Arizona • Culinary Festivals | Post a Comment »
October 7th, 2009, 10:53 am by Jess Harter
Ten restaurants from SanTan Village will provide food samples for the second annual Taste of SanTan festival, which takes place 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday at the Gilbert shopping center.
Participating restaurants include Blue Wasabi, Brio Tuscan Grille, Cantina Laredo, Gordon Biersch, The Keg, Kona Grill and Grimaldi’s.
The $35 admission, which benefits Save the Family, also covers three drink tokens, unlimited non-alcoholic drinks, live entertainment, raffle prizes and gift bags.
Reservations are required and can be made at savethefamily.org.
Posted in: Gilbert • Culinary Festivals | Post a Comment »
September 2nd, 2009, 7:48 pm by Jess Harter
Here’s a sure sign the long, hot Arizona summer finally is winding down: The Valley’s unofficial culinary “season” kicks off with a number of September events, including these five:
Phoenix Cooks!: Lee Hillson (T. Cooks), Michael Stebner (True Food) and Michael Rusconi (Lon’s) will be among the top chefs on three interactive stages. The five-hour festival also includes classes, food samples, wine and shopping. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at Westin Kierland Resort & Spa, 6902 E. Greenway Parkway, Scottsdale. $75 advance, $90 at door.
 Cooks & Chords: Ruth’s Chris, Fleming’s and Aiello’s will be among the restaurants providing chef-prepared dishes at this third annual fundraiser for the the Arizona chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. There also will be wine, acoustic music and silent auctions. 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sept. 12 at the Mayo Clinic, 13400 E. Shea Blvd., Scottsdale. $75.
Arizona Restaurant Week: East Valley favorites Cork, House of Tricks, Vito’s Pizza (pictured at right), The Landmark, Fleming’s, Roy’s, Brio Tuscan Grille and Monti’s La Casa Vieja are some of the more than 100 Valley restaurants (plus more in Tucson) that will offer special three-course menus for $29 for eight consecutive days during Arizona’s second annual Restaurant Week. Sept. 19-26.
Downtown Chandler Oktoberfest: More than 4,000 people showed up for SanTan Brewing Company’s inaugural Oktoberfest last fall. The all-day outdoor party features bratwurst and other sausages from Von Hanson’s Meats, German side dishes and an Oktoberfest beer from brewmaster Anthony Cannechia. 12:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. Sept. 26 at SanTan Brewing, 8 S. San marcos Place, Chandler. $10.
Heavy Medal Challenge: Josh Hebert (Posh) and Oliver Reschreiter (JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort and Spa) will compete in an “Iron Chef”-type competition with celebrity judges to raise money for culinary scholarships. The 150 guests will enjoy a four-course dinner with wine. 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sept. 21 at JW Marriott, 5350 E. Marriott Drive, Phoenix. $175.
Posted in: Chandler • Phoenix • Scottsdale • Culinary Festivals | Post a Comment »
March 4th, 2009, 2:52 pm by Jess Harter
 West of Western, one of the Valley’s premier culinary festivals, takes place next weekend. Fifty of the state’s top chefs will gather on the grounds of the Heard Museum in Phoenix to prepare signature entrees and answer questions about recipes and techniques. Here are five of my favorite participating chefs (for the full list, as well as a schedule of festival activities, go to westofwestern.com):
Brian Peterson, Cork: Formerly chef de cuisine at Lon’s and The Boulders, Peterson has established the year-old, small-plates restaurant as one of the Valley’s best. His New American menu ranges from foie gras BLTs to prosciutto-wrapped elk. 4991 S. Alma School Road, Chandler, (480) 883-3773.
Michael O’Dowd, Kai: As executive chef at Wild Horse Pass, O’Dowd oversees all the resort’s restaurants, including its centerpiece, Kai, whose globally inspired American Indian cuisine earned five stars from the Mobil Travel Guide. 5594 W. Wild Horse Pass Boulevard, Chandler, (602) 385-5726.
Payton Curry, Digestif: Since Peter Kasperski’s hip hangout opened at SouthBridge just over a year ago, Curry (pictured) has dazzled diners with his “Cal-Ital” dishes made with house-made pastas, hand-cut meats, fresh-pulled mozzarella and seasonal ingredients. 7114 E. Stetson Drive, Scottsdale, (480) 425-9463.
Aaron May, Sol y Sombra: The busy May opened breakfast spot Over Easy in 2008 and Italian eatery Autostrada in January (and is working on a Basque restaurant, Leche), but remains best-known for his stylish, Barcelona-inspired tapas nightspot at DC Ranch. 20707 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale, (480) 443-5399.
Claudio Urciuoli, Prado: After launching Taggia at Scottsdale’s FireSky Resort, the Italian-born Urciuoli was hired to apply his “slow food” mastery to Prado, the fabulous Spanish restaurant at the just-opened Montelucia Resort & Spa. 4949 E. Lincoln Drive, Paradise Valley, (480) 627-3004.
Posted in: Chandler • Paradise Valley • Scottsdale • 5 to Try • Culinary Festivals • Restaurants | Post a Comment »
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