Scottsdale Culinary Festival Slated for April
Popular Food Festival Celebrates Cuisine in the Valley of the Sun
Feb 17, 2009
By far the largest and most casual offering is the Great Arizona Picnic. Held in downtown Scottsdale at the Scottsdale Civic Center Plaza, this outdoor mega food event draws restaurateurs from all over Phoenix. Participants buy tickets for food and can sample different bites from a wide range of local favorites like Famous Dave’s BBQ, Oregano’s Pizza and the Gelato Spot. A beer tent and culinary demonstrations are also onsite. The picnic is slated for April 18 and 19th and costs $10
Culinary Events Planned Throughout the Week
The festival officially gets started on April 14th with the Friends of James Beard Benefit Dinner and Bubbles and Bliss. The James Beard event at the Westin Kierland is a six-course dinner. This year, three Arizona based chefs, Kevin Binkley (Binkley’s), Beau MacMillan (Elements at Sanctuary Resort) and Marc Ehrler (Ventana Room, Loews Ventana Canyon Resort in Tucson) are up for best chef in the Southwest.
If libations are more your style, Bubbles and Bliss kicks off at the ultra-hip W Scottsdale and features champagne and sushi from Sushi Roku.
The Chef Tribute dinner is slated for April 15th at the new J&G Steakhouse at the Phoenician, while the On the Rocks event takes place the same night at the Hotel Valley Ho and offers up cocktails and Polynesian fare from its famous Trader Vic's restaurant.
On April 16th, the Culinary Hall of Fame Awards Dinner lights up the Wrigley Mansion with its Oscar style awards dinner and induction of chefs into the Arizona Culinary Hall of Fame. The more casual, The On the Rocks mixology event takes place at the Mondrian Scottsdale.
Friday night sizzles with the Eat, Drink and Be Pretty Party at the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts. This fashion-forward event showcases a runway show amongst food and wine tasting.
Weekend Features Casual and Formal Options
During the Great Arizona Picnic on Saturday and Sunday, there is a separate ticket available for the Cooks & Corks event that will feature cooking demonstrations from famous chefs from the Food Network and Bravos’ Top Chef. Saturday night features several chef wine dinners at restaurants around town like Zinc Bistro and Bourbon Steakhouse.
The festival closes with a wine country brunch held at the new Intercontinental Montelucia resort and the Best of the Fest dinner at the Hyatt Gainey Ranch that features a five-course dinner prepared by 11 top Arizona Chefs.
Reduced prices for many events are available if tickets are purchased before March 6.
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