March 28th is when the 25th annual Arizona Culinary Hall of Fame will announce it’s newest inductees at Livewire in Scottsdale. The nominees of the 8 categories are listed below and are currently being voted on by a vast range on industry personnel. The event is sponsored by the Scottsdale League of the Arts and will be emcee’d by local TV personality Jaime Ceretta.
Nominees for the 2016 Arizona Culinary Hall of Fame include:
Chef of the Year
Mel Mecinas, Talavera at the Four Seasons Troon North
Joshua Hebert, POSH “Improvisational Cuisine”
Bernie Kantak, Citizen Public House and The Gladly
Christopher Nicosia, Sassi
Best Upcoming Chef
Garrison Whiting, Counter Intuitive
Taylor Sorenson, Christopher’s Restaurant and Crush Lounge
Dushyant Singh, Artizen at The Camby
Sacha Levine, Ocotillo
Restaurateur of the Year
Cakewalk Management
Fork and Dagger Development
Osio Culinary Group
Jim Riley and Tucker Woodbury
Mixologist of the Year
Ross Simon, Bitter and Twisted Cocktail Parlour
Luke Detraz, Director of Mixology, Southern Wine and Spirits
Robert Porter, Jade Bar at the Sanctuary Resort on Camelback Mountain
Brandon Casey, The Ostrich
Brewer of the Year
Anthony Canecchia, SanTan Brewery
Adam Schmeichel, Fate Brewing Company
Eric Greene, Dragoon Brewery
Preston Thoeny, Wren House Brewing
Winemaker of the Year
John McLoughlin, Cellar 433
Kent Callaghan, Callaghan Vineyards
Eric Glomski, Page Springs Cellars
Karyl Wilhem, Wilhem Family Vineyards
Food Truck of the Year
Aioli Gourmet Burger
Short Leash Hot Dogs
The Grilled Cheese Truck Phoenix
Satay Hut
Food Writer of the Year
Lauren Saria, Phoenix New Times
Christina Barrueta, Write on Rubee
Diana Brandt, Arizona Foodie
Joanie Simon, JoanieSimon.com
Lifetime Achievement Award
Christopher Gross
Tickets to the 25th annual Arizona Culinary Hall of Fame are $25 and include small bites and one cocktail. A cash bar will be available. The event will take place from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Livewire AZ, 7320 E Indian Plaza, Scottsdale, AZ, 85251. For more information, visit: http://scottsdalefest.org/.
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