Tag: community

Sprouts Farmers Market & PRESS Coffee partner to open in store coffee shop

Coffee drinkers will have a new place to get their coffee while they shop as Sprouts will open a PRESS Coffee inside the store. The store at 3320 N. 7th Ave. in Phoenix will be offer a full drink menu including specialty drip, cold brews, hot & cold teas and more. The two locally owned companies announced the new pilot program will have a workspace along with limited supplies of whole and ground coffee beans retail items.

“PRESS is very excited about this location and serving the surrounding community,” stated Jason Kyle, co-owner of PRESS Coffee. “Growing up in Arizona I have always been a Sprouts customer. Seeing the commitment from the Sprouts team to providing a quality experience for the customer makes it a perfect fit for PRESS and our ‘Quality Driven, Community Focused effort.’”

Both are passionate about their communities and wanted to create a welcoming atmosphere and neighborhood gathering space.

“Choosing to partner with the Arizona-based PRESS Coffee was an easy decision,” noted Dave McGlinchey, chief strategy officer of Sprouts. “PRESS and Sprouts have a shared mission of providing people fresh, quality, sustainable and ethically sourced specialty products. We are proud to open our first pilot location in the Phoenix community for all to enjoy.”

Blaze Fast- Fire’d Pizza to open 6th location in Glendale

Glendale will be the home of the 6th Arizona location of Blaze Fast- Fire’d Pizza come Friday June 23rd.

The Irvine, California-based fast casual artisan pizza maker will call the northeast corner of Bell Rd. and 79th Ave home to its 1,700 square foot restaurant that will seat 68 people inside and on the patio.

Blaze Fast- Fire'd Pizza
Blaze Fast- Fire’d Pizza assembly line

The Blaze Fast- Fire’d Pizza difference

The chef driven restaurant has a menu of pizza and salads created by executive chef and Culinary Institute of America graduate Bradford Kent, “The Pizza Whisperer”. What makes the Blaze’s pizza different is the dough which needs 24 hours for fermentation in order to give it a light and crispy crust. Most of the ingredients use no artificial flavors, colors, preservatives and fillers. The restaurant also offers gluten-free dough and vegan cheese.

Signature pizzas are available as are a :create your own” option with all pizzas use fresh ingredients before being baked in a hot oven for just 3 minutes. All pizzas cost about $8 and beer and wine is available.

“Our mission at Blaze is really simple – we’re taking pizza back to its roots, “said Jim Mizes, president & COO of Blaze Pizza.  “By making dough in-house, carefully sourcing ingredients, and cooking by fire, we’re giving guests a great way to enjoy artisanal pizza without the wait.  It’s changing the way people think about and eat pizza.”

Grand Opening

When the doors open at 11 a.m. on June 23rd all guests that come in until 10 p.m. and follow Blaze on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook will receive a FREE “create your own” pizza. A DJ will be providing entertainment starting at 4:30 p.m.

Commitment to Pizza, People and Planet

Blaze’s attention to details is not just for its pizzas but for their almost 200 restaurants across the United States and Canada. Each restaurant is constructed with recycled and sustainable materials, uses eco-friendly packaging and uses energy-efficient lighting.

Their commitment to the community extends to its donating 20% from fundraising events held at the restaurants as it partners with local sports clubs, schools and  other organizations as they host fundraisers. http://www.blazepizza.com/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Press Coffee Roasters to join the downtown Phoenix coffee scene

Locally owned Press Coffee Roasters is set to open its flagship store in downtown Phoenix on June 8th making it the 5th location for the award-winning specialty coffee roaster.

Press Coffee at The Muse (1816 N. Central Ave.) will look across Central Ave. to the Phoenix Art Museum but the art is inside Press with a custom Synesso espresso machine,  white  Mahlkonig grinders and futuristic Clever Seraphim brewers. The modern design of the 2,000 square foot space was designed by Larry Lake of Lawrence Lake Interiors.

By late summer Press plans to offer beer and wine along with launching an expanded food menu. Coffee 101 tastings and events are planned in the ‘learning space”.

“I started Press back in 2008, with the idea for a place for coffee, food and wine. This store resurrects that dream at an even higher level,” said Steve Kraus, owner and founder of Press Coffee. “We’re excited to open our doors and be a part of Downtown Phoenix’ diverse coffee and food community.”

To celebrate the opening guests who stop by on June 8th, 9th or 10th will receive a free small cup of drip coffee.

Press has locations in Scottsdale, Chandler, Phoenix and Tempe and shares their passion for specialty coffee with customers and community by ensuring the highest quality of coffee, service and knowledge on a daily basis

Press Coffee at The Muse will be open Mon. – Sat. 6:30 a.m -8 p.m. and Sun. from 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. http://www.presscoffee.com/

 

The Arizona Seven chef collective re-unite for chef Kelly Fletcher

The local food and restaurant community can never be accused of not helping one its own or its local communities, whether it’s an unfortunate occurrence(fire, theft) or medical need of a staff member we always rally when we hear the cry.The cry went out for chef and all around good guy Kelly Fletcher(House of Tricks, El Chorro Lodge & Zen Culinary) and the medical expenses incurred when Kelly fell ill with a life-threatening infection that had him in the hospital for weeks and at rest back at home.

We heard the cry and jumped into action with 2 Fund Up meals cooked by the “Arizona Seven” chef collective at Crudo restaurant in coming weeks.

The 2 Fund Ups will feature chefs Keenan Bosworth (Pig & Pickle), Cullen Campbell (Crudo, Okra Cookhouse & Cocktails), Jacob Cutino (Homeboy’s Hot Sauce), Josh Hebert (Posh Improvisational Cuisine, Hot Noodles Cold Sake), Scott Holmes (Little Miss BBQ), Stephen Jones (The Larder + The Delta), Bernie Kantak (Citizen Public House, The Gladly) and Gio Osso (Nico, Virtù Honest Craft).

A pig for Kelly Fletcher

100% from both Fund Ups will be donated to pay the medical expenses with the 1st Fund Up taking place next Sunday June 4th for a Communal Pig Roast. Chef & host Cullen Campbell will be roasting a whole hog at his Crudo restaurant with the other 6 chefs will be preparing gourmet side dishes, sauces, desserts and more smoked meats.

Beer from local brewery Huss Brewing Co. will be poured along with wines & cocktails from The Whiny Pig and Tito’s Vodka. The family style roast starts at 2 p.m. and is $50++ per person.

Multi Course dinner

On Monday July 31st the Arizona Seven will re-unite at Crudo for a Multi- Course Dinner to help pay down Kelly’s medical expenses. The menu will be created by Kelly with the other chefs putting their unique twist on each of the courses. The dinner begins at 6 p.m. and is $150 ++ per person.

For tickets to the Arizona Seven Fund Ups go to http://7cheffundup.bpt.me/

Who are the Arizona Seven chef collective?

Chefs who own restaurants are friends more than competitors who wish all the best in the day-to-day operations of locally owned restaurant survival. To bring awareness of the local Phoenix food scene the Arizona Seven chef collection debuted in 2014 with events for all to collaborate in and showcase their talents outside of their restaurants. The goal is to bring the James Beard Award back to Arizona.

Crudo is at 3603 E. Indian School Rd. Phoenix 85018.

 

Ladera Taverna y Cocina to support Sunnyslope High School’s Vikingtown Program in May

Phoenix’s Sunnyslope neighborhood has become a hot bed for local restaurants in the last couple of years and one of the newest restaurants, Ladera Taverna y Cocina is supporting Sunnyslope High School’s Vikingtown program.

Throughout the month of May, Ladera will contribute 20% of your bill on full priced menu items to the Vikingtown program when you mention Sunnyslope High School or the Vikingtown program. Money raised will go towards upcoming leadership training program.

Vikingtown is a 3 day leadership retreat for students this Fall in Prescott for students age fourteen to eighteen to learn more about themselves and others while learning leadership and communication skills. The goals of the retreat are to get students out of school to learn about others and discuss the barriers that may affect learning about others.

While on the retreat students stay in cabins with other students of different backgrounds and ethnicities with staff members staying in each cabin as well.

Genuine Concepts, the owner of Ladera (The Vig, Little Woody & other restaurants) takes pride in giving back to the communities in which their restaurants and bar are located. After meeting with Vikingtown and school leaders Genuine Concepts knew the program would be a good fit for Ladera Taverna to give back to the Sunnyslope community.

Ladera is excited to support the cause and students and makes it easy as possible for their customers to contribute simply by showing up to eat and mentioning the program or the school.

Ladera Taverna y Cocina is at 8729 N. Central Ave. Phoenix 85020 http://www.laderaphx.com

 

 

 

 

 

Firefighters pour drinks & serve Cornbread for a Cause at Z’Tejas

In less than 2 years, Z’Tejas Southwestern Grill has raised over $150,000 for local charities with its Cornbread for a Cause fundraising campaign. Its current cause is to give proceeds of  the popular cornbread to the United Phoenix Firefighter Charities through June 31st at all 5 Phoenix area locations.

The Cornbread for a Cause

To bring attention to this partnership firefighters will be pulling shifts serving the warm cornbread and pouring drinks to guests at 3 Z’Tejas locations around Phoenix in coming weeks. Thurs. April 27th at the Chandler location is the first of the 3  visits by the guest bartenders followed by Thurs. May 18th at the Shea & Tatum location in Phoenix and the final opportunity is on Wed. June 14th at the downtown Tempe location. All 3 shifts will be from 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

“Firefighters do extraordinary work as first responders and through the community support they provide,” said Gary Manley general partner at Z’Tejas Restaurants. “We at Z’Tejas are inspired by their commitment and the work they do. We are excited about this partnership and look forward to contributing to the charity’s work.”

Money raised will help UPFC continue to serve local communities by installing pool fences and smoke detectors, host food and coat drives and support children with neuromuscular disease by sending them to camp in the summer.  They also help with the cost of medical supplies and research for kids affected by neuromuscular disease. To find out more about UPFC go to http://phxffcharities.org/

For more information about Cornbread for a Cause go to http://ztejas.com/cornbread-for-a-cause/

 

Singh Farms opens Singh Meadows in Tempe with big plans

I just got back from visiting the new Singh Meadows on the old Rio Salado Golf Course in Tempe where I got to meet and speak with Ken Singh farmer & owner of Singh Farms & Meadows. I first heard about this project a few years ago and have not heard anything until this week about its progress and phase 1.  Ken has spent the last few years completely re-soiling the once toxic dirt from the golf course to new fresh, organic soil that will grow much of his fresh vegetables & where kids can roll down the hills free of toxic pesticides.

 

His new market inside the old club house is where visitors find his growings from his farm not far away. A coffee bar with coffee from Press Roasters & bake shop offers people to linger and enjoy all the green lush landscape that has been restored from recent years. After the rains of yesterday water flows out of sight as part of the Indian Bend Wash where it empties to Tempe Town Lake a little ways down. Ken hopes to incorporate a park like atmosphere with paths is already under way as golf cart paths are still in tact and softer wood chip paths have start to be landscaped taking you down to the running water.

The cafe which currently has grab n go items and pastries is being run by 3 experienced chefs Frank Belosic, Jay Bogsinske and Dan Melden. In the future the cafe will offer house made pizzas, pastas and more from scratch. Dinners and farm tours will be available down the road.

Ken has lots of ideas but not sure what he wants to do with all 72 acres he has to play with. Having farmed his family farm for over 40 years this has become a grand endeavor to leave his son, a future farmer.  In listening to Ken he is the smartest person I know when it comes to soil, dirt and growing vegetables in it and listening to him I hear his passion in making sure we leave the earths resources it the right way for future generations.

The farmer’s market is open every weekend from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

I’m as excited as Ken Singh is to have this new farm & market community down the street near the Tempe/ Scottsdale border and look forward to helping keep Ken’s vision alive.

Singh Meadows is at 1490 E. Weber Dr. Tempe 85281

 

 

Grand Opening event planned for My Pie in Gilbert

Gilbert is the home of the 3rd branch of locally owned fine casual My Pie with its Grand Opening event today starting at 11a.m. Located at Crossroads Towne Center on Gilbert Rd. at Loop 202. My Pie specializes in custom made pizzas($7.95 & $8.95), calzones, salads, pie-inis and appetizers.

The Spicy Butcher
The Spicy Butcher

Today’s events will include free samples of their delicious Garlic Knots, kid’s activities, live entertainment and giveaways until the close tonight.

My Pie uses fresh & locally sourced ingredients for its family recipes with sauces & dough made daily. Favorite pizzas I tasted recently were the Pesto My Chicken, Spicy Butcher and the Margherita. All pizzas are made New York fast in a 800 degree oven in 2 minutes. Gluten free and whole wheat dough are also available.

According to Ryan Mitchell, vice president of operations for My Pie, “I’m thrilled to open our third Arizona installment of My Pie. This has truly been a labor of love and an amazing dream realized for myself and my team. We have our sights set on continuing to grow this awesome concept through a love for our customers, friends and community. Our goal is to become your neighborhood pizzeria at each of our locations. It all starts with giving back and we can’t wait to develop strong relationships in the east valley,”

Wanting to take an increased role as part of the Gilbert community and express one of My Pie’s core values, they offer local charities to apply for “2 Minutes 2 Charity” fundraising events. Part of sales from today will be donated to “A Broader Approach”, a Gilbert organization that assists parents in researching biomedical treatment for their children with autism. http://www.abroaderapproach.org/

My Pie Gilbert is located at 3765 S. Gilbert Road, Gilbert, AZ 85297 and is open daily from 11a.m. – 9 p.m. with extended hours on Friday and Saturday until 9:30 p.m http://www.pizzayourway.com/