Category: non-profit

Beer for Brains Foundation EPICURIAD returns Sat. April 29th

Food truck chefs get out of their comfort zone on Saturday April 29th for a good cause as the Beer for Brains Foundation raises money for brain cancer research and awareness with its EPICURIAD Spring 2017 Food, Craft Beers & Wine Pairings Event.

12 food truck chefs including Left Coast Burrito Co., Saffron Jak and Electric Sliders will leave their trucks for a full and modern kitchen experience at Allstate Appliances in north Scottsdale to compete against each other to create a new dish for the gourmet pairing competition.

The night begins at 6:30 p.m. with VIP attendees getting a chance to see a 2 chef face off between executive chef Jordan Murray of Rock A Belly, Food Network’s “Street Eats” Season 5 vs Chef Tim Cobb of United Lunchadores, Street Food Chef of the Year in 2015. The chefs will flip a coin to see if they will be cooking with beer or wine in addition to the ingredients provided with 35 minutes to create a dish before the main event.

At 7:30 p.m. main event begins where attendees will be able to sample gourmet food, craft beers and wine. They will have the chance to vote for “Best Pairing” to see if beer or wine is the preferred pairing and “Best Entree” based on taste and presentation. Gold, Silver & Bronze medals will be awarded to the Top 3 winning chefs who will the go head to head with restaurant chefs at the Fall 2017 EPICURIAD event.

The event is one of Beer for Brains Foundation multiple events around the country where the partner with breweries, medical facilities, and other partners to raise money and support ground breaking research at GBM Agile Tempe headquarters on the campus of Arizona State University.

Tickets can be purchased online at http://www.thebeerforbrainsfoundation.org/ for $95 per or $150 VIP with proceeds going to Brain Cancer Research with GBM Agile.

Allstate Appliances is at 15250 N. Hayden Rd in Scottsdale.

Burger Battle returns to see who makes the Best Burger in the Valley

The Scottsdale League of the Arts annual Burger Battle returns this Thursday March 9th with more burgers, beers and fun to its new location at the Scottsdale Waterfront at 7 p.m.

The Burger Battle is one of the non-profits more popular events which helps raise money for artists, art programs and art education through several fund-raising events throughout the year.

This years Burger Battle will be emcee’d by local sports writer and sports  talk show host Dan Bickley. Burgers will be served from local restaurants such as Hand Cut Burgers, Aioli Gourmet Burgers and Arizona Wilderness Brewing Company.

In between tasting burgers, side dishes and desserts attendees will be able to play lawn games and dance to the sounds of The Groove Merchants.

After tasting burgers patrons will be able to cast their vote for the People’s Choice Award for Best Burger while 5 judges will be selecting the Judge’s Choice Award. 2 winners will then compete in the World Food Championships in November.

Tickets for the competition are $65 when purchased in advance or $75 at the door. VIP tickets are available for $85 and include early entry at 6 p.m., a VIP gift and access to a private lounge. This is a 21 and over event. Tickets can be purchased at http://scottsdalefest.org/

 

 

Murphy’s Law to host Shamrock Fest on St. Patrick’s Day

If it’s the time of year when everybody claims to be Irish & leprechaun sightings are on the rise then it must mean St. Patrick’s Day is just around the corner, 13 days & counting down to be exact. To celebrate St. Patrick’s Day downtown Chandler’s favorite Irish pub, Murphy’s Law is hosting an evening full of games, food, crafty beers, Irish dancing and more for Shamrock Fest on Fri. March 17th.

The Paddy gets started at 4 p.m. across from Murphy’s Law in AJ Chandler Park with live music from locals bands August in Stereo, Radiofix, Retro Connection & Volitale Minds. Festival goers can hangout in The Lucky Leprechaun zone with wee man wrestling, The Kiss Me I’m Irish zone with lawn games, eating contest, cabbage bowling and more fun activities.

St. Patrick’s Day traditional corned beef & cabbage

Local and craft beers will be available in the Bagpipes & Brews lounge as you listen to bagpipe players then make your way to the Four Leaf Clover food court for traditional corned beef and cabbage, bangers & mash, Sheperd’s Pie and more.

General admission tickets for this 21 & over event are available on-line for $8 and $10 at the door. VIP tickets are available only on-line for $80 and include 6 drink tickets, a private bathroom, catered food, private seating and front stage access. Tickets can be purchased at http://holyshamrocks.com/

Part of the proceeds from Shamrock Fest will be donated to the non-profit Downtown Chandler Community Foundation (DCCF) which helps to mobilize leadership & resources for the development of downtown Chandler as a regional destination for shopping, culture, living & the arts. http://www.downtownchandler.org/

 

 

 

The 2nd annual Barrel & Board moves to SoHo63 this Thurs. Feb. 23rd

If you like to sip on barrel aged whiskey & beer while eating cheesy treats then this Thursday’s Barrel & Board tasting event is for you. One of the Scottsdale League of the Arts fundraising events moves to downtown Chandler’s SoHo63 for the 2nd annual tasting.

Barrel & Board photos courtesy of Landon Evans & HDE Agency

The 3 hour event pairs local craft brewers & distillers and their barrel aged libations with cheesy & tasty bites from local restaurants including The Perch, Aioli Gourmet Burgers and more. You can cast your vote for best cheese pairing while listening to local acoustic guitarist Tom Kumagai perform live.

Tickets purchased online are $50 & at the door are $60 while supplies last and include unlimited cheese samples & tasty bites, 4 oz. beer samples, 1 oz. whiskey samples and commemorative tasting mug.

Barrel & Board will be held at SoHo63, 63 East Boston Street, Chandler, AZ.  For tickets and more information, visit http://www.scottsdalefest.org/

Here is a partial list a brewers, distilleries & restaurants participating.

12 West Brewing

Arizona Brewery Tours

AZ Distilling

Brat Haus

Campari

Chicago Distilling

Dragoon Brewing Co

Elizabeth’s Moments of Joy

Four Peaks Brewing Company

Glenfiddich

Grand Canyon Brewing Company

Hamilton Distilling

Helio Basin Brewing Company

Hudson Whiskey

Huss Brewing Company

Modern Tortilla

Mother Road Brewing Company

O.H.S.O. Distillery + Brewery

Russell’s Reserve

SanTan Brewing Company

Two Brothers Artisan Brewing

Uncle Bear’s Brewery

Wisconsin Cheese Market

Wren House Brewing Company

Yancy’s Fancy Cheese

 

New Beer Buzz: Sierra Bonita Grill 1st in Phoenix area to sell Dog Tag Legacy Lager

Central Phoenix’s Sierra Bonita Grill is the 1st Phoenix area restaurant to sell Dog Tag Brewing Foundation’s Legacy Lager at their 16th St. restaurant. The beer was created to honor the legacy of men & women in the armed services who made the ultimate sacrifice with all profits going to support their Gold Star families. You can enjoy the beer at Sierra Bonita Grill or take it home with you for $10 a can.

Dog Tag legacy lager. Photo courtesy of Leslie Chou
Dog Tag legacy lager. Photo courtesy of Leslie Chou

Dog tag Brewing Foundation

The Bozeman MT, Dog Tag Brewing Foundation http://www.dogtagbrewing.org/ uses all profits to support building projects in the communities of the Gold Star Families through grants, consulting with charities and public awareness of the service and sacrifice made by the fallen soldiers. In addition much of the packaging is dedicated to each Fallen Warrior who family has been a recipient of a Dog Tag Brewing Foundation Legacy Grant.

Sierra Bonita Grill donates sales

Sierra Bonita Grill will continue to support Dog Tag Brewing Foundation causes by donating 50% off the purchase price of each beer to Dog Tag sold. According to Sierra Bonita Grill’s Bar Manager, Miguel Lerma, “Honoring the brave individuals who made the ultimate sacrifice is a privilege that Sierra Bonita Grill is humbled by. We are grateful for the opportunity to serve Dog Tag Brewing’s beer.”

Sierra Bonita Grill is at 6933 N. 7th St., Phoenix, Ariz., 85014. 602-274-0700 www.sierriabonitagrill.com.

 

 

 

2016 Slider Throw Down for charity set for November 13th at Kierland Commons

Who doesn’t like tasting the delicious flavors of tacos, pizza & burgers to satisfy your appetite, not this guy. While typing this post for the up-coming 2016 Slider Throw Down, I’m building an appetite for day 2 of taco judging. We enjoy tasting food prepared by full time restaurant chefs along with weekend chef and their taco or slider creations. The Slider Throw Down is set to take place at Kierland Commons on Sunday Nov. 13th from 12 noon – 3pm to benefit Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation (AFFCF)

Photo courtesy of Knife and Fork Media
Photo courtesy of Knife and Fork Media

slider throw down food trucks

This years Slider Throw Down will have local food trucks such as Butta Burger, Spice It Up and Phil the Grill preparing sliders for festival goers who contribute $25 for admission and 1 slider from each truck. All proceeds got to Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation. Slders will be judged by local “slider experts” and attendees who can vote for the “People’s Choice”

Arizona friends of foster children foundation

The AFFCF helps support children in foster care by letting them enjoy their childhood, according to Kris Jacober, Director of the AFFCF says, “We help these children through difficult circumstances by providing them with resources and allowing them to take part in enjoyable activities that promote self-esteem.” The AFFCF has awarded over $5 million dollars to children in foster care and yet there are still thousands of kids awaiting their help. By purchasing a ticket to the Slider Throwdown you can do your part to help. Purchase tickets here https://fs25.formsite.com/AFFCF/form18/index.html

 

 

Local chefs compete for best burger at Okra Cookhouse & Cocktail’s Burger Battle

Burgers, burgers and more burgers is what’s on the menu the next 4 Sundays in October as Okra Cookhouse & Cocktails hosts a weekly Burger Battle. 6 local chefs will be competing to see who has the created the tastiest burger. Starting this Sunday October 9th and for the 2 Sundays following, diners can watch the fun and taste the burgers created that will be judged by celebrity judges. Each weeks winner will compete on Sunday October 30th to see which chef has created the best burger.

Photo courtesy of Okra Cookhouse & Cocktails
Photo courtesy of Okra Cookhouse & Cocktails

Burger battle participating chefs

Here are the 6 local chefs competing and the schedule with the fun starting every Sunday at 3pm.

October 9th features Kelly Fletcher from the soon to be open Zen Culinary going up against Gio Osso of Virtu & Nico

October 16th has host Cullen Campbell of Crudo & Okra doing battle against Doug Robson of Otro.

Ocotber 23rd pits Justin Beckett of Beckett’s Table and Southern Rail against Upward Projects Chris Newstrom

October 30th is the finals for the 3 winners.

Burger Battle and brunch for C-cap

Okra will also be serving their regular Sunday specials that include all day happy hour, 1/2 off bottles of wine and mixologist Micah Olson will be creating a special cocktail & punch with Tito’s vodka for the Burger Battle. Part of the proceeds from each weeks event will go to C-CAP , a non-profit that helps get young men and women get started in their culinary arts career.

Okra is at 5813 N. 7th St. Phoenix 85014 (602)296-4147 http://www.okraaz.com

 

Arizona Vignerons Alliance to host 1st annual Alliance Symposium and tasting

The newly formed non-profit Arizona Vignerons Alliance will be hosting its 1st Alliance Symposium on Saturday, Nov. 5th 2016 at The Farm at South Mountain. The day long symposium will include educational seminars, a picnic lunch with a live auction and concluding with The Grand Tasting.

az-wine-bucket-index
Photo courtesy of Miguel Guzman

what is the Arizona vignerons alliance?

The Arizona Vignerons Alliance (AVA) was formed in early 2016 to help protect the integrity of Arizona wines with the help of winemakers and growers providing consumer education. Through their submission process in the spring, 65 wines from 17 wineries were awarded the AVA certification.

Photo courtesy of Miguel Guzman
Photo courtesy of Miguel Guzman

Alliance Symposium schedule and tickets

The 1st Alliance Symposium will offer attendees a unique opportunity to hear about what makes Arizona vineyards and wines special in local, national and international wine community. After listening to the seminars attendees can take what they’ve learned and taste the wines to see for themselves. There are 2 ticket options available for the event.

The Full Magnum ($165.00/ticket)
9:30-10 a.m. Check in Donuts & Coffee
10-11 a.m. Seminar 1: Exploration of growing regions through wines with Pavle Milic
11:15 a.m. -12:00 p.m. Seminar 2: Digging into Arizona’s Wine Regions with Elaine Chukan Brown aka Hawk Wakawaka
12-2 p.m. Rosé Picnic & Live Auction in the Stone Grove at The Farm
2-5 p.m. Grand Tasting: Sample Arizona’s Alliance certified wines and meet the makers behind your  favorite Arizona wines.

The Split ($65.00/ticket)
2-5 p.m. Grand Tasting: Sample Arizona’s Alliance certified wines and meet the makers behind your favorite Arizona wines

To purchase tickets, see a list of certified wines and get more information please go to http://arizonavigneronsalliance.org/#events

The Farm at South Mountain is at 6106 S. 32nd St. Phoenix 85042