Tag: cocktail

James Beard Foundation’s “Taste America” stops in Phoenix

Phoenix is on the map of the James Beard Foundation hot off the recent win by FnB’s Charleen Badman’s for “Best Chef: Southwest”. It’s also on the map for the foundations “Taste America” tour scheduled for September 19th- 21st. Phoenix is one of 20 cities chosen to host the event.

Tickets went on sale this week for the three day event for the cross country culinary experience.

Photos courtesy of Rose Moser Ally PR

Taste America events

The weekend kicks off on Thursday September 19th with the “Raising the Bar” walk around reception at Seventh and Union. Guests will meet rising star chefs and mixologists while sipping on cocktails and tasting culinary creations. Kyla Dahl of Pigtails Cocktail Bar, Henry Whittaker of Century Grand and Matt Steward of Undertow are a few of the mixologists pouring cocktails.

Dom Ruggiero of Hush Public House, Juan Zamora of Chula Seafood and Tamara Stanger of Cotton & Copper along with others will show off their culinary talents.

Friday night is the “Gala Benefit Dinner” at The Royal Palms Resort & Spa. The cocktail and tasting reception starts at 7 p.m. with tastes created by local chefs Stephen Jones of The Larder & Delta, Cat Bunnag of Glai Baan and others. Guests will then be treated to a three- course dinner menu created by visiting chef Tiffany Derry of Plano’s Roots Chicken Shack, local all-star Danielle Leoni of The Breadfruit & Rum Bar and host chef Alexander Robinson.

A dessert reception with Danielle O’Day of Sweet Dee’s Bakeshop and Hollie Layman-Sanders of The Royal Palms ends the night.

A silent and live auction will be held during the evening. A portion of the proceeds from dinner and auctions will go to the foundations scholarship programs.

The weekend concludes with the James Beard Foundation’s Women’s Leadership Program, Owning It. The workshop will bring together 60 women who are in the idea or growth phase of a food related business. A few women will pitch local investors for funding for their project and all will learn how to advance in the culinary industry.

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Mountain Shadows offers Wine, Spirits & Beer seminars

Your never to old to learn about wine, beer and spirits and the staff at Mountain Shadows resort and Hearth ’61 teaches us about all three. The Paradise Valley resort is offering an every other week seminar about wine, spirits and beer called Spirited Sipping Seminars. The 30-45 minute seminar is taught by resort Food & Beverage director Jim Gallen and bartender Travis. Guests will taste each of the three beverages discussed and be able to ask questions.

As the wine, spirits and beer world continue evolve learning the history, making of and trends of cocktails, wine and beer becomes more interesting. During the cocktail seminars you will learn how to make cocktails and receive the recipes.

Spirits
Photo courtesy of Mountain Shadows

Wine, Beer & Spirits seminar schedule

Saturday afternoon classes start at 3 p.m. and are $30 per class. The following classes are scheduled through December.

Oct. 20- Brews & (Taste) Buds. USA vs Europe.

Nov. 3- Craft of the Cocktail Gin: The Misunderstood Spirit

Nov. 17- Weekend Wine Sessions Wine for Thanksgiving

Dec. 1- Craft of the Cocktail Holiday Cocktails

Dec. 15- Brews & (Taste) Buds- Ales vs Lagers: Finding your style

Dec. 29- Weekend Wine Sessions A Bit of Bubbly USA vs France

2018 Slider Throwdown returns to Kierland Commons

The 2018 Slider Throwdown returns for another year of tasty slider goodness on Sunday Nov. 18th. at north Scottsdale’s Kierland Commons. The Throwdown will benefit Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation.

Guests who throw down the $35 admission will enjoy sliders from local food truck companies Buzz N Bee, Aioli Burgers, Food Diva and more. Local “Slider Experts” will decide who will be awarded the Best Slider with guests voting for the People’s Choice award.

The price of admission includes samples of all sliders and 3 non-alcoholic drink tickets. A Kierland Commons restaurant will partner with the Throwdown promoters to create an exclusive cocktail to purchase in the restaurant.

Petite cheeseburger

Proceeds will be donated to AFFCF which is dedicated to giving foster children a normal childhood. Most importantly they prepare the children for adulthood with scholarships and programs.

“Through our organization, we are able to help foster children navigate the difficult and often unchartered waters of foster care by providing them with valuable resources as well as opportunities to participate in childhood activities that promote confidence and independence so they can grow into responsible, happy adults,” says Kris Jacober, Director of the AFFCF.

AFFCF has awarded more than $5.7 million to 26,000 children in foster care.

The event will be from 12:00 – 3:00 p.m. with tickets available for purchase at http://affcf.org/sliderthrowdown

Indoor farmer’s market at Hotel Valley Ho in June and July

With local farmer’s markets growing in popularity the last few years in Phoenix it comes as no surprise when it heats up many farmer’s markets take the summer off. Hotel Valley Ho’s executive chef Rusell LaCasce’s solution is to have an indoor farmer’s market and invite a few chef friends.

On Saturday June 23rd & 30th and July 14th & 21st guests can escape the heat at the hotels’ Sands event venue from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Farmer’s market chefs & vendors

Guests will enjoy small bites prepared by local chefs Matt Carter, Gio Osso and Beau Macmillan while they shop for produce and handcrafted goods. At the Zuzu booth Chef LaCasce and Pastry Chef Audrey Enriquez will be selling homemade pastries including pies, scones and other homemade treats.

Guests will also be able to sample cocktails, purchase drinks from the full bar and listen to live music from Trio Rio while they shop.

Local purveyors including MJ Bread, Crow’s Dairy, Twisted Infusion Farms and Ruze Cake House will be on hand with other Arizona purveyors.

A refrigerate bag check will be available for your purchases while you enjoy the morning.

Purchase tickets

Tickets for the farmer’s market are available on-line for $25 in advance and $35 at the door. Your ticket gets you chef’s bites, cocktail samples and a 25% off gift certificate at Zuzu. A $10 voucher for use at the market with a purchase of $20 or more is also included.

Hotel Valley Ho is at 6850 E. Main St. Scottsdale 85251.

 

 

 

Arizona Straight Bourbon from Elgin Distillery wins gold

An Arizona distillery is making a name for themselves on the spirits and distillery map. As repeat winners of the Arizona Distillery of the Year,  Arizona Craft Beverage also is celebrating their gold medal winning Arizona Straight Bourbon from Elgin Distillery.

It was the second Distillery of the Year awarded from the New York Spirits Competition to Arizona Craft Beverage, Arizona’s first licensed distillery. The award was announced in May.

Their Arizona Straight Bourbon started collecting gold medals across the country, first at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition then in New York where the Distillery of the Year was also awarded.  Then back west to the Los Angeles International Spirits competition for their 3 gold medal.

In limited distribution around Arizona, the bourbon retails for $65 (375 ml) the bourbon and can be found at the distillery, as well as Total Wine, Old Town Ale House in Casa Grande, Lucidi in Peoria and Hacienda Del Sol in Tucson.

Starting in August you can have it shipped directly to you. http://www.azcraftbev.com/