Throw away your old concepts of the West and join us for the inaugural celebration March 19-20 in Phoenix, Arizona. The two-day garden party features over fifty local chefs who have collectively redefined the image and understanding of Western cuisine.
Join award winning and innovative Arizona chefs Deborah Knight, Mosaic; Christopher Gross, Christopher’s Fermier; Nobuo Fukuda, Sea Saw; Robert McGrath, Roaring Fork; Chrysa Kaufman, Rancho Pinot Grill; Bradford Thompson, Mary Elaine’s at the Phoenician; Silvana Salcido Esparza, Barrio Café; Reed Groban, Fairmont Scottsdale Princess; Matt Carter, Zinc Bistro, and many others for the festival’s Grand Tasting, with Executive Chefs, Chefs de Cuisine and Pastry Chefs providing samples of their restaurants’ signature offerings.
The party will also include The Wine Table, a special area that will highlight over twenty wineries spanning the globe. Pourings will also include Wine Appreciation Seminars led by Sommelier Nichole Dunham and Cheese Education taught by Sous Chef Josh Loeb, both of Mary Elaine’s.
Admission to the Grand Tasting and The Wine Table is inclusive with Festival Full Pass admission.
Other special events include cooking demonstrations by Festival chefs,
such as Michael Cairns, Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa; pastry and sugar-pulling presentations; children’s cooking classes taught by Festival and Guest Chefs, including Carlos Manriquez of Atlas Bistro and Linda Hopkins from Les Petites Gourmettes Children's Cooking School; murals in fresh flower petals, ice carvings and live music.
Slow Food USA presents fresh boutique and heirloom produce by local growers and food producers, all for sale with Arizona-made prepared food items. Native Seeds/SEARCH of Tucson and The Center for Sustainable Environments at Northern Arizona University will provide lectures on progressive food and nutritional concepts. Arizona Center Palm Court, 5th ST & VanBuren St, Tickets $8-$35. Info: www.westofwestern.com, (602)262-5652, info@openvenue.org.
Chef2Chef News Desk