Sips & Bites: News from the Phoenix restaurant community

Events & news about what’s going on around the Phoenix restaurant community, breweries and wineries.

The Zuzu Burger Battle kicks off this week

The signature restaurant at Scottsdale’s Hotel Valley Ho started the 8 week competition where members of the restaurant’s culinary team will create a unique burger. Each week’s burger will be featured on the brunch menu daily from 6:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. and each burger is $19 and comes with fries or fruit. The winning burger will be selected on National Hamburger Day, May 28th with the winning team member winning $500 and the burger will be featured on the menu all summer long.

“Dollars for a Dozen” fundraiser returns to Over Easy

For the month of April the breakfast & lunch restaurant will match every dollar donated by guests to the United Food Bank. In addition every dollar raised will help a dozen eggs be delivered to the food bank by Shamrock Farms. Last year over $18,000 was raised and over 9,000 eggs were delivered. Guests can donate at any of 11 locations in Arizona.

Phoenix City Grille to host 5 course whiskey pairing dinner

The uptown Phoenix restaurant welcomes host Lewis Clyde (L.C.) May II of Clyde May Whiskey’s on Wednesday April 12th for the dinner with specially prepared menu. L.C. is Clyde May’s grandson and brand ambassador will be signing exclusive PCG single barrel bottles available for purchase at the event. The menu will feature cured pork belly, pork cheeks and more paired with the distilleries whiskey and rye. The evening begins at 6 p.m. and seats are limited and can be reserved for $150++ per person by calling 602-510-7174 or emailing brittnee.reed@outlook.com

Portillo’s announces 7th Arizona location

The Chicago- styled restaurant will open its next location in Queen Creek by the end of 2023. The location at Ellsworth and Elm will have indoor and outdoor seating for over 200 people and will feature their signature 2 lane drive thru for those on the go. When opened customer favorites like the Chicago style hot dogs, Italian beef sandwiches will be available. Managers and shift leaders will be hired in the near future and applicants can apply online.

Arizona restaurants left off list of finalists for James Beard Awards

Despite over 10 semifinalists earlier this year no Arizona restaurants or chefs made the cut of final nominees. The list was announced by the James Beard Foundation on Wednesday will the winners selected on Monday, June 7th. To see the full list of finalist head to their website.

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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