Category: food truck festival

Bell Bank, O.H.S.O Brewery & Mark Tarbell partner to raise money

Valley beer drinkers will want to grab two new beers created by local brewer O.H.S.O Brewery as part of a partnership between Bell Bank and Chef & Restaurateur Mark Tarbell. $2 of every pint sold of “Slice and Dice Rice” Lager and “Yes, Chef” Amber Lager will be donated to C-CAP by Bell Bank & O.H.S.O and Tarbell’s picture will be featured on the limited production cans. C-CAP helps Phoenix area culinary students and teachers with programs and resources for students looking to get a higher education in the culinary arts and enter the restaurant industry.

“O.H.S.O., Bell Bank and Tarbell’s, have come together to give back to a great cause. C-CAP is an amazing organization that helps young high school students all over the country pursue their dreams through culinary programs. It’s when businesses come together in support of such causes that real magic and change can happen. What an honor to be a part of it all,” said Bell Bank Champion Mark Tarbell.

The beers pair well with many dishes found at O.H.S.O and Tarbell offered a few pairings. Rice Lager – Hamachi Crudo, Fresh Made Potato Chips and Caviar, Phở Amber Lager – Boars Head Bratwurst, West TX Babyback Ribs, West TX Pulled Pork, Jamaican Jerk Chicken. The beers will be available through the holiday season or until supplies run out and a check presentation to C-CAP will be held in early 2025.

“This collaboration is definitely one of the most festive ways we like to pay it forward and help a really deserving cause in each city every year,” said Kyle Kennedy, Bell Bank’s Phoenix president and Arizona banking director. “We thank Mark Tarbell for his support, and we hope everyone will come out to O.H.S.O and Tarbell’s this season to support this incredible organization which helps give students a great opportunity to thrive in the culinary arts.”

 

Bao and fried chicken festival returning for 7th time

The 7th annual Arizona Bao and Dumpling Festival with the Fried Chicken and Wing Festival returns to Peoria’s Centennial Plaza Park on Saturday and Sunday, January 25th & 26th 2025. Over 20 vendors from all over the valley will feature festival exclusive sweet & savory foods with the goal of the festival to showcase local small businesses helping them grow and a place for people to discover and try new foods.

What is bao? According to Food Republic they are a “complete meal conveniently packed away in a white, warm, soft bun.” They are a type of dumpling like takoyaki and potstickers. With fried chicken being served all over the world, each culture has its own take of the comfort food favorite. With one ticket you can try a variety of bao, dumplings, fried chicken, wings and more.  Expect to see dishes from Hot Bamboo, Happy Buns, Flippin Rice, Boka Grindz and others serving hot and delicious foods. Live performances will keep people entertained and merchandise will be available for sale.

Tickets for the 7th annual Arizona Bao and Dumpling Festival are $14 for Early Admission at 11 a.m., $8 for General Admission at 12:30 p.m. and $6 Happy Hour admission at 2:30 p.m. Tickets for both days are available as are ticket bundles with merchandise and more. Parking is free and tickets can be purchased at Ticket Tailor.

 

 

Let’s Get Pizza! 9th Annual Phoenix Pizza Fest returns in 2 weeks

When was the last time someone said to you “Let’s Get Pizza”, that someone should be David Tyda and that slogan should be on his business card. Tyda and his Phoenix Pizza Fest return to downtown Phoenix’s Maragret T. Hance Park on Saturday and Sunday November 16th & 17th for pizza, beer, pizza, live music, more pizza and an all-around good time.

Tickets for the popular event are on-sale online only and are sure to sell out before the big weekend gets here. Over 20 local pizza makers and other food vendors will have sweet & savory foods starting at 11 a.m. on both days. Pizza makers from across Arizona showing up include…

Flagstaff’s Pizzicletta, Charlie’s from Kingman, Family Joint from Green Valley and Tucson’s Lumbre Pizza A La Lena join Phoenix area’s Dough Riders, Nicastro, Otra Pizza and Moon Pie Pizza to name just a few. Wash them down with beers from Pedal Haus and Huss Brewing along with White Claw, Coppola Wines, Mule 2.0 and more at the well stocked bars. Bands set to perform include Casey Ryan, The Deadbeat Cousins, Chrome Rhino and others.

The annual Phoenix Pizza Fest benefits Downtown Phoenix Inc. who helps promote and market downtown area businesses to locals and visitors. Tickets are $16 and are available here.

Tempe Beach Park is the place to be for Foodie Fri-YAY in May

Food trucks, beer & wine and live music is a good way to end the work week. Those looking to unwind can head to Tempe Beach Park Friday’s in May for Foodie Fri-YAY from 5 – 9 p.m. Each week offers different food trucks, breweries and musicians with May 6th hosting Hot Bamboo, Seoul Good Food Truck and Kingpin BBQ. Huss Brewery will be pouring cold beer and Nomadica red, white and rose wines will be available for wine drinkers. Admission is free with food, beer & wine available for purchase. Alcohol purchases will be cashless with only credit card payments.

“Tempe Beach Park has always been a top destination for festivals, concerts and other enjoy all that Downtown Tempe offers,” said Kate Borders, Executive Director of the Downtown Tempe Authority. “With Foodie Fri-YAYs, we’re welcoming everyone back to this beloved hot spot while celebrating the best of local food, drinks and musicians.”

Tempe Beach Park is at 80 W. Rio Salado Dr. Tempe 85281. For more information and to see the complete line-up of food trucks. beer & wine partners and live music head to their website.

Sips & Bites: News you can use from the Phoenix restaurant community

Quick sips & bites of news about what’s going on around the Phoenix restaurant community, breweries and wineries.

New menus debut at Zuzu

The signature restaurant at Old Town Scottsdale’s Hotel Valley Ho recently debuted the new menu from Executive Chef Russel LaCasce. Hotel guests and locals can choose from a Steak & Potato Skillet, Strawberry Crème Brûlée French Toast, the Hot Hot Chicken Sammie and more on the everyday brunch menu.

The dinner menu now includes Grilled Portuguese Octopus, a Slow Braised Pork Shank, Pan-Seared Diver Scallops and more. Save room for the Blood Orange Panna Cotta, Double Dark Chocolate Cake and other desserts from new Pastry Chef Maria Arenas. Reserve your table by calling 480-421-7997.

3rd Tuesday Dinner next week at Romeo’s Euro Cafe

The popular cafe in downtown Gilbert still has seats left for its monthly dinner on Tuesday, April 19th. The three course dinner is paired with wines from around the world to complement each dish chosen by his staff. The dinner starts at 6:30 p.m. and reservations can be made by calling 480-962-4224.

Eat Up Drive In celebrates its 1st anniversary

Starting Monday, April 18th through Sunday, April 24th the Arcadia restaurant will be serving up iced teas, lemonades, including their new seasonal cucumber lime lemonade, French fries and their famous gluten-free chocolate chip cookies, all for just one dollar each.

After a 2 year hiatus Foodstock is back next weekend

Over 55 food trucks will be heading back to the Peoria Sports Complex for the return of Arizona’s favorite food truck festival. The family friendly event is next Saturday, April 23rd from 4-10 p.m. Admission is $5 with children under 12 getting in for free. The event is a collaboration between Get Local Arizona Events and Peoria Diamond Club with all the proceeds from the gate going to feed hungry children in the west valley.

Huss Brewpub ready to open at Phoenix Convention Center

It’s been a long 2 plus years that I wrote about the local brewery opening in downtown Phoenix and a longer four years of planning for co-owners Jeff and Leah Huss. It’s about to pay off next Wednesday, April 20th on Monroe St. between 2nd and 3rd St. on the Convention Center’s north facade.

As part of the celebration one lucky winner will win a “Season Table at the Brewpub”. The winner and 3 guests will enjoy a table for 24 games with the reservation guaranteeing them a table during busy times. The winner will be announced on Monday, April 18th on social media in time for the Phoenix Suns playoff rally.

Don’t forget to check out my podcast Pulling Corks & Forks: The Podcast with Sandy Wasserman to hear from those in our community. Please subscribe, like & comment.

Tap into Mesa brings blues, brews & food festival to downtown Mesa

Downtown Mesa is home to more breweries than any other downtown neighborhood in the valley and those beers will be poured at the new Tap into Mesa festival. Admission is free on Saturday March 12th from 2-6:30 p.m. for local beers, food trucks, live music for all ages.

“We really want to show people just how many walkable breweries we have in this one square mile,” said Nancy Hormann, President of the Downtown Mesa Association. “All of the breweries you will visit at this event call Downtown Mesa their home.”

The Main Stage Beer Garden is where you’ll find beers from Oro Brewing, Desert Eagle, Cider Corps and other downtown breweries while listening to the blues from “The Sugar Thieves”. Following them on the stage will be the “Bob Corritore Chicago Style Blues Band”.

Tap into Mesa tickets are on sale for “full” pour beers for $5 each and an optional special beer tasting tour for $25 with 10 tastes when you buy online and $30 day of the festival. Add a $5 VIP Fast Pass which avoids lines and has reserved seats in the four beer tasting garden. The VIP Fast Pass is only available in advance online. The festival will be at Main & Macdonald with tickets online available until 6:00 p.m. and all tickets need to be redeemed by 6:30.

Sips & Bites: News you can use from the Phoenix restaurant community

Quick sips & bites of news about what’s going on around the Phoenix restaurant community, breweries and wineries.

Beard Papa’s opens new location in Gilbert tomorrow

The Japanese build your own cream puff bakery with a cult like following is opening its newest location at SanTan Village Mall, Saturday February 26th. The Gilbert location is the 2nd in Arizona having opened in Scottsdale last year. The first 100 guests when they open at 10 a.m. will receive a surprise gift and BP will be collecting donations for Phoenix Children’s Hospital throughout the day.

Corazon Tequila Dinner at Spotted Donkey Cantina

Seats are available for authentic Mexican cuisine paired with the world class tequila for 4-courses on Friday, March 11th. Fresh ingredients will be used for dishes including Octopus Ceviche, Wagyu Beef Short Rib Mole and more. Seats are $98 per person and can be reserved by calling 480-488-3358 or online here.

Food Truck Friday West hosts more than 10-20 food trucks

Tonight and every Friday from 5 – 9p.m. foodies can try new & favorite foods from the valley’s food truck community. Momma’s Organic Market hosts the weekly event at Desert Financial Credit Union 17445 N. 79th Ave. in Glendale.

Grand Canyon Brewing + Distillery open Page brewpub

Almost a year ago the Williams based brewery & distillery announced their 3rd location in the state would be on the banks of Lake Powell. It’s now open with a full menu of craft beers, spirited cocktails and scratch made food. Over 20 TVs and an indoor & outdoor seating are features that will also attract visitors to Horseshoe Bend location that used to be a firehouse.

Cajun festival tomorrow in Chandler

The great weather here in Arizona brings out spicy Cajun cooking, live music and more as Mardi Gras approaches. Tomorrow’s festival in downtown Chandler starts at 2 p.m. For more information and how to get tickets see my featured post.

Don’t forget to check out my podcast Pulling Corks & Forks: The Podcast with Sandy Wasserman to hear from those in our community. Please subscribe, like & comment.

 

Founders Food Fest part of LPGA Founders Cup festivities

The LPGA’s Founders Cup tournament pulls into north Phoenix in March and with it will be inaugural Founders Food Fest. The golf tournament at the Wildfire Golf Club at JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa celebrates its 10th anniversary with week-long festivities and the two day food festival will be on Saturday and Sunday March 21st & 22nd and will feature at seven food trucks each day.

“The Founders Cup prides itself on being the ultimate family golf experience in the Valley, and that now includes this fun and tasty event for golf enthusiasts and foodies alike,” said Scott Wood, tournament director. “We’ve selected the most popular trucks in Phoenix for a food tour guests can enjoy while watching the best players in the LPGA compete this spring.”

Founders Food Fest
Photos courtesy of Ivan Morales at Evolve Marketing & PR

Once inside guests can get their “passport” stamped at each food truck then redeem a fully stamped “passport” for drink tickets at the 1950’s Club, an exclusive tented area on the 9th green.

Saturday’s food trucks include Short Leash Hot Dogs, Ice Cream Sociables and Wok this Way.

Sunday guests can taste dishes from Flying K BBQ, Paletta Betty, Chef Wade’s Bistro on Wheels and more.

Tickets for the Founders Food Fest are $65 per day plus tax when purchased on line and $125 for a weekend pass. Wildfire Golf Club is at 5350 E. Marriott Dr. Phoenix 85054.