Dough Riders Wood Fired Pizza Co. rises out of pandemic

A year ago Arin Finger didn’t think he’d be making NY -style pizzas around town but he is. He’s one of many stories of 2020 who had to adapt when the global pandemic to over earlier this year. Finger, a franchisee of i9 Sports, a youth sports organization for over seven years knew how to run his own business and with a network of over 2,500 youths and their families, had what was needed to start Dough Riders Wood Fired Pizza Co.

“With no idea how long the closures would last and refund requests pouring in, I had to do something to support my family and my key employees,” says Finger. “Dough Riders is a solution to a need that developed out of COVID-19 — providing families with wholesome food without leaving home — and we’re proud that we can do something during these times that reconnects neighborhoods and communities.”

Dough Riders signature pizzas

He approached i9 Sports soccer instructor Codey Stetler who had a culinary background at his family’s pizzeria and the new business was born. Both Finger and Stetler are from the east coast and knew creating a menu for Dough Riders would be easy. The two now travel the valley with an 800 degree oven in tow making made-to-order pizzas, appetizers, salads and desserts for farmer’s markets, private & corporate events, outdoor concerts or any occasion is where you’ll find them.

Signature pizzas are made in less than 2 minutes including Elote, made with garlic oil, roasted corn and poblano, bacon, cilantro, Mexican cheese and lime crema; the Backyard BBQ, featuring Dough Riders’ signature BBQ ranch base, mozzarella, BBQ chicken, red onions, crispy bacon and scallions. Appetizers include Garlic Knots, Pepperoni Rolls and others and two salads are offered, The Signature and a Caesar. Save room for desserts, the Sweet Bacon Jammin’ and Stuffed Pizzelle Cookies.

To find Dough Riders Wood Fired Pizza Co. follow them on Facebook and Instagram and head to their website for more information.

Carlson Creek’s Scottsdale tasting room has 3rd anniversary celebrations

Carlson Creek Vineyard’s is celebrating the 3rd anniversary of its Scottsdale tasting room. Throughout the month of July daily and weekly events and tastings are planned. Wine Society members and the public are welcome to celebrate with them. Photo courtesy of Jenelle Bonifield of Food & Lifestyles AZ.

Scottsdale tasting room events

July 8-14: For current Wine Society members only, refer a new member and each will receive a complimentary bottle of 2013 Sauvignon Blanc

13th at 2pm:  Scottsdale tasting room’s 3rd Anniversary party featuring live music, food from Old Ellsworth Brewing Company and conversation with the winemakers (free to attend)

14th: All-day happy hour featuring $5 glasses of Sangiovese, Sauvignon Blanc and Rosé

July 15-21: Purchase a bottle of Carlson Creek wine + Queen Creek Olive Mill’s olive oil or vinegar and receive $5 off

18th at 6pm:  Wine Society members-only Library Wine Flight featuring five wines from the Carlson Creek library ($20/person)

July 22 – 31: Daily featured food and wine pairings ($15/person)

22nd: 2013 Sangiovese paired with garlic hummus, red pepper hummus, pesto and pita chips

23rd: 2013 Chenin Blanc paired with tortilla chips and date salsa from Sphinx Palm & Pantry

24th: 2014 Sauvignon Blanc paired with watermelon, feta and mint topped with Queen Creek Olive Mill’s balsamic vinegar

 25th: 2014 Rule of Three paired with chorizo, olive, mozzarella and parsley stackers

26th: 2015 Sauvignon Blanc paired with smoked salmon, cream cheese and cucumber bites

27th: 2014 Sangiovese paired with bleu cheese and dates from Sphinx Palm & Pantry

28th: 2017 Grenache Rosé paired with chocolate filled roll

29th: 2018 Chardonnay paired with butter and kettle popcor

30th: 2018 Sweet Adeline Riesling paired with spicy street corn

31st: 2015 Rule of Three paired with brie and Sauvignon Blanc fig preserves on a toasted baguette

July 25 at 6pm: Arizona Wine History class with Q&A and wine tastings ($10 for members / $15 for non-members)

The tasting room is at 4142 N. Marshall Way 85251. For more information, call the Scottsdale tasting room at 480.947.0636.

The Vig McDowell Mountain to open June 5th

After months of searching for the right location and construction Genuine Concepts is ready to open its new location of The Vig in north Scottsdale. With the McDowell Mountains serving as a backdrop the restaurant is set to open June 5th and will be the 5th location of the successful modern tavern and the 2nd in Scottsdale.

At the intersection of Bell Rd. and Thompson Peak Parkway is where excited residents and visitors will be headed to enjoy the lunch, dinner and brunch in this spacious restaurant of over 13,000 square feet indoors and out.

Frank Lloyd Wright inspired design

The natural desert setting and straight lined designed building was inspired by architect Frank Lloyd Wright.

Tucker Woodbury, a partner in Genuine Concepts says “I had the pleasure of once again collaborating on the design of the property with Artie Vigil and his team atAV3 Design. We both love the simplicity of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin West’s iconic structure and the Usonian style of architecture it represents, which was the inspiration of the design. With a lot of help and collaboration with our development team” YAM Properties, Alexander Building Company, K&IArchitects, the City of Scottsdale and our Genuine Concepts team, we were able to bring our vision to fruition. The end result is an astonishing property and we can’t wait to show it off! “

The Vig McDowell Mountain location

The Vig McDowell Mountain’s location will satisfy all whether your coming of one of the trails of the nearby Sonoran Mountain Preserve, any of the annual events that take place such as the Barrett-Jackson Car Auction or Waste Management Golf Open Tournament. Also an idea spot for residents and visitors to come out to mix and mingle and enjoy the newest member of the community.

Community involvement

Genuine Concepts is a locally owned restaurant group and is committed to to the communities in which there restaurants are located and north Scottsdale will benefit from their new neighbors. The Vig McDowell Mountain will be making an ongoing contribution to the Sonoran Mountain Preserve with sales from its “Bitty Cocktail”. Named after the Bitty Cycling Club, 50 cents from each rum & Coke style drink will be donated to help keep the trails of the McDowell Mountain Preserve safe and maintained for its users.

VMM is located at 10199 E. Bell Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85260. Hours of operation are Monday-Thursday 11am-11pm, Friday 11am-1am, Saturday 10am-1am & Sunday 10am-11pm

 

 

 

The 7th annual AmeriCAN Canned Craft Beer Festival moves to a bigger location

With 6 successful years under its belt HDE Agency and SanTan Brewing Company realized that their AmeriCAN Canned Craft Beer Festival was ready for expansion to the bigger and centrally located Margaret T. Hance Park in central Phoenix. Saturday May 13th is when over 100 local and national craft beer brewers will be pouring over 250 beers to beer enthusiasts from across the Phoenix area.

All photos courtesy of Landon Evans & Jen Pruett

The 6 hour event (12pm -6pm) will not only include canned beer tastings but live music, beer seminars, food, a beer science garden, beer Olympics and a rare beer garden. Included in 250 plus beers being poured will be beers previously not available in Arizona.

A week prior to the festival more than 40 certified beer judges will gather to taste and cast their vote for their favorite beers in 9 categories including IPA, American Pale Ale, English Pale Ale, Wheat Beers, Stouts and Porters, Ambers and Browns, Golds, Blondes, Pilsners and Light Lagers, Fruit, and Specialty Beer. Winners of gold, silver and bronze will be announced during a live streaming event on May 6th at  http://www.cannedcraftbeerfest.com/

This is a 21 and over festival and tickets can be purchased in advance for $35 General Admission(1pm entry, 4oz tasting can & 20 beer samples), $45 day of and VIP tickets(12 noon entry, 4 oz. tasting can, 20 beer samples, access to VIP beer garden, private restrooms and a meet and greet with brewers) are only available on-line while supplies last for $100 at the link above. Designated driver tickets are $20 online & day of with entry at 12 noon and include soft drinks, no beer.

Part of the proceeds AmeriCAN Canned Craft Beer Festival will be contributed the Arizona Society of Homebrewers (ASH) which works to promote and preserve the tradition of homebrewing through education, information and dedicated practices. For more information or to become a member go to http://www.azhomebrewers.org/

Margaret T.  Hance Park is at 67 W. Culver St. Phoenix 85003.

 

 

 

2nd Annual Live & Local returns to Scottsdale.

Live & Local 1
The Boys and Girls Club of Scottsdale is gearing up for the their 2nd Annual Live and Local on Sunday November 9th at the Scottsdale Civic Center Mall starting at 5p.m. This event features local restaurants, beers and musicians for attendees to enjoy on a great fall evening. This years participants include food from Sumo Maya, The Pink Pony, Union Barrelhouse and more. You can wash down your eats with beers from Sleepy Dog Brewery and Mother Road Brewery as well as Roger Clyne’s Mexican Moonshine Tequila and samples of wine from Arizona wineries. The libations will be showcased in libation-centric experiences that include a beer garden and unWined lounge.
Live n local 2
Music will be provided by Nate Williams Band, Georgia Chrome and Adam Shero. A VIP After Party will start at 9p.m. and include a fashion show, delicious desserts and adult milkshake for those that stick around. The event is being presented by Go Daddy and sponsored by the Arizona Restaurant Association and NOVA Home Loans which is helping the Boys and Girls Club raise funds for local youths tha tneed it the most.

“In 1954, Scottsdale Junior Chamber of Commerce led an effort to organize a then-Boys Club of Scottsdale. In a temporary location at Loloma Elementary, 258 boys were served in the first year of the Clubs operation. Five years later, the first branch, called the Osborn Branch was completed and served 1,186 boys from the Scottsdale community in their first year being open,” says Steve Davidson, president and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale.

Tickets are on sale and are $50 for General Admission that include access to the main event and tastings a VIP tickets are $100 and include additional VIP experiences and After Party access. Tickets can be purchased online at www.bgcs.org/liveandlocal And don’t miss a bite, follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more updates (@LiveandLocalAZ #LiveandLocalAZ).

TASTE, Chandler’s Culinary Festival comes to downtown Ocotillo on Sat. October 19th.

TASTE chandler
The southeast valley will get a TASTE of over 24 restaurants on the evening of Saturday, October 19th as TASTE Chandler’s Culinary Festival comes to a new location in the Ocotillo part of town. The event will begin at 6 p.m. at 2855 W. Queen Creek Rd.

Attendees will have unlimited food tastings (while supplies last), 12 drink tickets for wine, craft beers and cocktails and couples who purchase their tickets before the event ($130) will receive a gift bag that includes 2 wine glasses and a bottle of wine. Pre-sale tickets are $65 and day off are $80. Patrons can also vote for their favorite participants in several categories.

This years festival will also honor Geoffrey Hancock, owner of San Tan Sun News and long time supporter of TASTE, Chandler’s Culinary Festival.

This is an 21 and over event and tickets can be purchased at www.tastechandler.com

Eat Valley restaurants participating…..
Bourbon Jacks
CHoP
Coach & Willies
D’Vine Wine Bar
El Palacio Restaurant & Cantina of Chandler
Floridino’s
Frost
Gigi Cupcakes
Grimaldi’s Pizzeria
Humble Pie
Latitude Eight Thai Grill
Le Cordon Bleu
My Big Fat Greek Restaurant
Nando’s Mexican Food
Nothing Bundt Cakes
Otuku Sushi
Pearl Sushi
Pitta Souvli
Pittsburgh Willy’s
Roy’s Hawaiian Fusion
SanTan Brewing Company
Shimogamo
The Keg
The Living Room
The Sushi Room
Udder Delights
Vintage 95
Whole Foods
Yoli’s Café

…and more to come!

HB Hanratty’s and Old Dixie’s Food Truck Join for AZ Beer Week

The esteemed Mr. HB Hanratty knows a thing or two about Southern Comfort. Yes, there is the well-known liquor, but he prefers the fixins. In his humble opinion, there is no better match to craft beers than down-home Southern cooking. To prove his point, HB Hanratty’s Pub and Old Dixie’s food truck join up on Tuesday, February 19 from 6:

Old Dixie sandwich
Old Dixie sandwich
30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. to celebrate Arizona Beer Week with a Comfort Food + Craft Beer pairing.

For $25 guests will get a 3-course tasting menu of Old Dixie’s Southern comfort food. Think Boudin Balls – crispy fried house made sausage, rice and seasoning topped with Kiltlifter beer mustard; Chorizo Meatloaf with Mashed Potatoes; and Old Dixie’s signature Buttermilk Biscuits and jam. Inside Hanratty’s guests will get 4 oz samples of four Arizona beers from breweries like Sleepy Dog, Sun Up and San Tan. After the tasting, guests will also get their choice of a full pint, bottle or can of any of Hanratty’s Arizona beers.
HB_CansDraftsPool
The evening is open to all, but seating for the tasting menu is limited. To confirm your tasting plate, RSVP on HB Hanratty’s Facebook page (facebook.com/hbhanrattys). Payment will be made at the bar the night of the event.

Also during Arizona Beer Week (Feb. 16 – 23), all of HB Hanratty’s selection of Arizona beers on draft, bottle will be available for $3.

HB Hanratty’s is at 537 E. Camelback just west of 7th Street. RSVP for this event on HB Hanratty’s Facebook page – facebook.com/hbhanrattys.

Also find Hanratty’s and Old Dixie’s on the Twitter: @hbhanrattys and @olddixies.