Arizona Culinary Hall of Fame announces nominees, winners announced March 28th.

March 28th is when the 25th annual Arizona Culinary Hall of Fame will announce it’s newest inductees at Livewire in Scottsdale. The nominees of the 8 categories are listed below and are currently being voted on by a vast range on industry personnel. The event is sponsored by the Scottsdale League of the Arts and will be emcee’d by local TV personality Jaime Ceretta.
Culinary Hall of fame photo
Nominees for the 2016 Arizona Culinary Hall of Fame include:

Chef of the Year

Mel Mecinas, Talavera at the Four Seasons Troon North

Joshua Hebert, POSH “Improvisational Cuisine”

Bernie Kantak, Citizen Public House and The Gladly

Christopher Nicosia, Sassi

Best Upcoming Chef

Garrison Whiting, Counter Intuitive

Taylor Sorenson, Christopher’s Restaurant and Crush Lounge

Dushyant Singh, Artizen at The Camby

Sacha Levine, Ocotillo

Restaurateur of the Year

Cakewalk Management

Fork and Dagger Development

Osio Culinary Group

Jim Riley and Tucker Woodbury

Mixologist of the Year

Ross Simon, Bitter and Twisted Cocktail Parlour

Luke Detraz, Director of Mixology, Southern Wine and Spirits

Robert Porter, Jade Bar at the Sanctuary Resort on Camelback Mountain

Brandon Casey, The Ostrich

Brewer of the Year

Anthony Canecchia, SanTan Brewery

Adam Schmeichel, Fate Brewing Company

Eric Greene, Dragoon Brewery

Preston Thoeny, Wren House Brewing

Winemaker of the Year

John McLoughlin, Cellar 433

Kent Callaghan, Callaghan Vineyards

Eric Glomski, Page Springs Cellars

Karyl Wilhem, Wilhem Family Vineyards

Food Truck of the Year

Aioli Gourmet Burger

Short Leash Hot Dogs

The Grilled Cheese Truck Phoenix

Satay Hut

Food Writer of the Year

Lauren Saria, Phoenix New Times

Christina Barrueta, Write on Rubee

Diana Brandt, Arizona Foodie

Joanie Simon, JoanieSimon.com

Lifetime Achievement Award

Christopher Gross

Tickets to the 25th annual Arizona Culinary Hall of Fame are $25 and include small bites and one cocktail. A cash bar will be available. The event will take place from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Livewire AZ, 7320 E Indian Plaza, Scottsdale, AZ, 85251. For more information, visit: http://scottsdalefest.org/.