< Previouson the market24Feast your eyes on one of the most coveted for-sale properties in Paradise Valley.April Mocks 2 Backup corrupt.indd 724/9/19 4:21 PMon the market25Finishing Touch7,178 Square Feet5 Bedrooms 6.5 Bathrooms $3.5 millionThis entertainer’s paradise was recently renovated and features a beautiful transitional style with breathtaking Camelback Mountain views. Extremely high-end finishes are found throughout: antique timber beams, groin-vault ceilings, custom stone mantels, hand-carved cabinetry, newly refinished imported hardwood floors and an Italian tile roof. The elegant estate includes a gourmet kitchen that opens to the family room/entertainment area as well as a dining room with an adjacent walk-in wine cellar that opens to private front patio with an outdoor fireplace. The Paradise Valley property also includes a separate theater room, an exercise studio, an office and a full guest casita. Listed by Christy Dean, 602.327.0697, christy@waltdanley.com. waltdanley.com.April Mocks 2 Backup corrupt.indd 734/9/19 9:34 PM28on the market25Finishing Touch7,178 Square Feet5 Bedrooms 6.5 Bathrooms $3.5 millionThis entertainer’s paradise was recently renovated and features a beautiful transitional style with breathtaking Camelback Mountain views. Extremely high-end finishes are found throughout: antique timber beams, groin-vault ceilings, custom stone mantels, hand-carved cabinetry, newly refinished imported hardwood floors and an Italian tile roof. The elegant estate includes a gourmet kitchen that opens to the family room/entertainment area as well as a dining room with an adjacent walk-in wine cellar that opens to private front patio with an outdoor fireplace. The Paradise Valley property also includes a separate theater room, an exercise studio, an office and a full guest casita. Listed by Christy Dean, 602.327.0697, christy@waltdanley.com. waltdanley.com.April Mocks 2 Backup corrupt.indd 734/9/19 9:34 PM29best of our valley 201926On the cover: Design by Claire Perkins. Best Valley Adventure Experience, Rainbow Ryders. AFM Fave: Best Resort Remodel, The Phoenician. AFM Fave: Best Steakhouse, Bourbon & Bones. AFM Fave: Best Custom Homebuilder, Salcito Custom Homes. AFM Fave: Best Handbags, Sage Aubrey. Best Tea Spot, Teaspressa. Chair and umbrella from One Kings Lane, onekingslane.com. Remaining images via getty images, istock, thinkstock, unsplash, pexels, pixabay and Biodiversity Heritage Library.April Mocks 2 Backup corrupt.indd 664/10/19 1:27 PMbest of our valley 2019From margaritas to manicures, pizzas to pediatricians, the Valley has a lot to say about their local favorites. Over 60 days, nearly 370,000 votes were cast in 450-plus categories to determine the commendable Best of Our Valley 2019 winners. Read on to get to know this year’s deserving frontrunners, as well as a few AZ Foothills staff favorites along the way. BY SUZANNE KOCH, MELISSA LARSEN, ALYSSA TIDWELL AND KYLEY WARRENWant more inside scoop on the Best of Our Valley 2019 winners? Follow @bestofourvalley!27From margaritas to manicures, pizzas to pediatricians, the Valley has a lot to say about their local favorites. Over 60 days, nearly P. 32 PEOPLEP. 50 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENTP. 56 COMPANIES & PROFESSIONALSP. 68 ESCAPESP. 72 FOOD & RESTAURANTSP. 82 HEALTH & SELFP. 94 HOME & DESIGNP. 102 KIDSP. 106 MEDIAP. 110 NIGHTLIFE & COCKTAILSP. 116 SHOPPINGP. 124 SOCIAL MEDIAP. 128 SPORTSP. 132 STAY & PLAYP. 138 TUCSONP. 144 WEDDINGSApril Mocks 2 Backup corrupt.indd 674/18/19 10:03 PM30best of our valley 2019From margaritas to manicures, pizzas to pediatricians, the Valley has a lot to say about their local favorites. Over 60 days, nearly 370,000 votes were cast in 450-plus categories to determine the commendable Best of Our Valley 2019 winners. Read on to get to know this year’s deserving frontrunners, as well as a few AZ Foothills staff favorites along the way. BY SUZANNE KOCH, MELISSA LARSEN, ALYSSA TIDWELL AND KYLEY WARRENWant more inside scoop on the Best of Our Valley 2019 winners? Follow @bestofourvalley!27From margaritas to manicures, pizzas to pediatricians, the Valley has a lot to say about their local favorites. Over 60 days, nearly P. 32 PEOPLEP. 50 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENTP. 56 COMPANIES & PROFESSIONALSP. 68 ESCAPESP. 72 FOOD & RESTAURANTSP. 82 HEALTH & SELFP. 94 HOME & DESIGNP. 102 KIDSP. 106 MEDIAP. 110 NIGHTLIFE & COCKTAILSP. 116 SHOPPINGP. 124 SOCIAL MEDIAP. 128 SPORTSP. 132 STAY & PLAYP. 138 TUCSONP. 144 WEDDINGSApril Mocks 2 Backup corrupt.indd 674/18/19 10:03 PM3128PEOPLEBY MELISSA LARSENBEST OF OUR VALLEY 2019April Mocks 2 Backup corrupt.indd 744/9/19 4:21 PMMOST FASHIONABLE VALLEY MANJAVIER SOTO3T anchorreporter Javier Soto s style is ust as newsworthy as the day s biggest events. Soto describes his style as ballin on a budget and counts on ic s Menswear, SuitSupply, ordstrom ac and Sas ff Fifth for his goto loo suit, tie and pocket square. @javiersototvBEST PUBLIC RELATIONS PRO: MALEJOHN GLYNNAfter 10 years in the profession, John lynn recently took over as director of public relations at the much-adored Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, which garnered several est of ur alley nods. Joining the team in 2018 has been a highlight of this dadoftwo s successful career thus far. can truly say that I work with some very smart and talented people, he says. love my career and ob, and really like getting to hang out with fun and interesting people, work in a fun and rewarding environment and get to tell fun stories. lynn is currently eeping busy wor ing on the resort s actionpaced summer programmingand eating more veggies, he jokes—but what a way to fuel his busy, bustling day-to-day. @glynnmania29MOST FASHIONABLE VALLEY WOMAN Kri sten Hancockristen ancoc is an interior designer with uided ome esign, with a side hustle as a fashion in uencer. favor a highend loo that still feels laidbac and somewhat casual, she says, noting that statement hightop sneaers currently round out her goto loo. As an interior designer, being on construction sites and on my feet a lot has me really into a bold high-top tennis shoe, jeans and a top. I am a sucer for a fun bomber acet and other items for layering. ancoc s favorite shop in town is Amy nc., while n owStyle and evolve are her top online retailers. @kwilms Hancock has launched an online home interi ors shop and will be opening a retail store within Guided Home Design’s new studio space in Old Town.FAVORITE COUPLE IN THE VALLEYMATT JACOBI & NICK CAPRIOhen Mat Jacobi and ic Caprio wed in May 2019, they will be the rst samese couple to marry at The Scottsdale Resort at McCormic anch. e have always supported each other to accomplish our own individual goals and our goals as a couple. ur house is lled with so much love, fun and gratitude. The coupleJacobi is a C and Caprio is a human resources and technology manager—has been together for 11 years, after meeting during a chance encounter at an Irish pub in Chicago. The twosome recently made international news for creating a custom arbie Same Se edding Set for their 8year old niece (and ower girl, which landed them a meeting at Mattel Headquarters and being welcomed into the Barbie family. @MattJacobiPEOPLEApril Mocks 2 Backup corrupt.indd 754/9/19 4:21 PM32MOST FASHIONABLE VALLEY MANJAVIER SOTO3T anchorreporter Javier Soto s style is ust as newsworthy as the day s biggest events. Soto describes his style as ballin on a budget and counts on ic s Menswear, SuitSupply, ordstrom ac and Sas ff Fifth for his goto loo suit, tie and pocket square. @javiersototvBEST PUBLIC RELATIONS PRO: MALEJOHN GLYNNAfter 10 years in the profession, John lynn recently took over as director of public relations at the much-adored Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, which garnered several est of ur alley nods. Joining the team in 2018 has been a highlight of this dadoftwo s successful career thus far. can truly say that I work with some very smart and talented people, he says. love my career and ob, and really like getting to hang out with fun and interesting people, work in a fun and rewarding environment and get to tell fun stories. lynn is currently eeping busy wor ing on the resort s actionpaced summer programmingand eating more veggies, he jokes—but what a way to fuel his busy, bustling day-to-day. @glynnmania29MOST FASHIONABLE VALLEY WOMAN Kri sten Hancockristen ancoc is an interior designer with uided ome esign, with a side hustle as a fashion in uencer. favor a highend loo that still feels laidbac and somewhat casual, she says, noting that statement hightop sneaers currently round out her goto loo. As an interior designer, being on construction sites and on my feet a lot has me really into a bold high-top tennis shoe, jeans and a top. I am a sucer for a fun bomber acet and other items for layering. ancoc s favorite shop in town is Amy nc., while n owStyle and evolve are her top online retailers. @kwilms Hancock has launched an online home interi ors shop and will be opening a retail store within Guided Home Design’s new studio space in Old Town.FAVORITE COUPLE IN THE VALLEYMATT JACOBI & NICK CAPRIOhen Mat Jacobi and ic Caprio wed in May 2019, they will be the rst samese couple to marry at The Scottsdale Resort at McCormic anch. e have always supported each other to accomplish our own individual goals and our goals as a couple. ur house is lled with so much love, fun and gratitude. The coupleJacobi is a C and Caprio is a human resources and technology manager—has been together for 11 years, after meeting during a chance encounter at an Irish pub in Chicago. The twosome recently made international news for creating a custom arbie Same Se edding Set for their 8year old niece (and ower girl, which landed them a meeting at Mattel Headquarters and being welcomed into the Barbie family. @MattJacobiPEOPLEApril Mocks 2 Backup corrupt.indd 754/9/19 4:21 PM3330April Mocks 2 Backup corrupt.indd 764/9/19 4:22 PMBEST MATCHMAKERSimona FuscoAt the age of 8, a prominent modeling agency discovered Simona Fusco in Vienna, Austria, and she quickly became their top international model for their two biggest clients, Benetton and Lacoste. At that moment, a spark was ignited in Fusco, which has made her the self-made, award-winning entrepreneur that she is today. Fusco’s mother quickly realized that Austria was limited in what it had to oer her daughter so shortly thereafter, at 14, Fusco and her mother relocated to Los Angeles, where the entertainment world quickly discovered her beauty, talent and natural-born charisma. In a span of less than 10 years, Fusco starred in more than 30 television shows and movies. During her time as a Hollywood actress, Fusco noticed that many people she came in contact with were missing the most vital part of life: love. And she set out to do something about it. About 10 years ago, the business-savvy Fusco launched Perfect 12 Introductions. “We started as a boutique agency and grew it to a worldwide company and have been responsible for over 100 marriages,” says Fusco. “I’m proud to have a client list that reads like the Forbes 100.” She conducts custom-tailored matches for her clients by taking the time to get to know each and every one of them. She has a mind-blowing 90-perfect success rate and has been recognized internationally for her work, including on CNN, CBS, GQ , US Weekly, Esquire and numerous other publications. Fusco was even presented by the mayor of Los Angeles with a Global Excellence and Entrepreneur of the Year Award. “Over the years, I’ve had so many moments of when I was so proud to be the one responsible for creating happiness and love with people who started out as clients and then became like family.” he is also the founder of nonprofit The aria Gruber Foundation, dedicated to her mother who passed away from cancer in 2014 and created to provide educational tools to help parents, children and loved ones aected by terminal illness. This year, Fusco hopes to create a mobile version of Perfect 12.perfect12.com.Fusco has helped celebrities, Fortune 500 executives and countless others on the quest to find love.31April Mocks 2 Backup corrupt.indd 774/11/19 1:04 PM34BEST MATCHMAKERSimona FuscoAt the age of 8, a prominent modeling agency discovered Simona Fusco in Vienna, Austria, and she quickly became their top international model for their two biggest clients, Benetton and Lacoste. At that moment, a spark was ignited in Fusco, which has made her the self-made, award-winning entrepreneur that she is today. Fusco’s mother quickly realized that Austria was limited in what it had to oer her daughter so shortly thereafter, at 14, Fusco and her mother relocated to Los Angeles, where the entertainment world quickly discovered her beauty, talent and natural-born charisma. In a span of less than 10 years, Fusco starred in more than 30 television shows and movies. During her time as a Hollywood actress, Fusco noticed that many people she came in contact with were missing the most vital part of life: love. And she set out to do something about it. About 10 years ago, the business-savvy Fusco launched Perfect 12 Introductions. “We started as a boutique agency and grew it to a worldwide company and have been responsible for over 100 marriages,” says Fusco. “I’m proud to have a client list that reads like the Forbes 100.” She conducts custom-tailored matches for her clients by taking the time to get to know each and every one of them. She has a mind-blowing 90-perfect success rate and has been recognized internationally for her work, including on CNN, CBS, GQ , US Weekly, Esquire and numerous other publications. Fusco was even presented by the mayor of Los Angeles with a Global Excellence and Entrepreneur of the Year Award. “Over the years, I’ve had so many moments of when I was so proud to be the one responsible for creating happiness and love with people who started out as clients and then became like family.” he is also the founder of nonprofit The aria Gruber Foundation, dedicated to her mother who passed away from cancer in 2014 and created to provide educational tools to help parents, children and loved ones aected by terminal illness. This year, Fusco hopes to create a mobile version of Perfect 12.perfect12.com.Fusco has helped celebrities, Fortune 500 executives and countless others on the quest to find love.31April Mocks 2 Backup corrupt.indd 774/11/19 1:04 PM35BEST MATCHMAKERROSEANN HIGGINSThough she has professionally been matchmaking for 25 years, one might say Roseann Higgins got her start when she began introducing people—who eventually got married—while she was in the navy. Higgins, president, founder and matchmaker with SPIES (Single Professional Introductions for the Especially Selective), averages introducing a marriage or long-term relationship every fi ve weeks and has so since 1994—with an impressive 96 percent success rate, no less. “I thank God for giving me this gift to see a person’s heart and knowing who I should introduce out of a million-plus single men and women in Phoenix and Scottsdale,” she says.@RoseannHigginsFAVORITE VALLEY DADJOHNJAY VAN ESDad-of-three Johnjay Van Es is an adored Valley personality thanks to his work on the Johnjay & Rich Morning Show on 104.7 KISS. Longtime listeners may even feel like they’ve even been witness to his sons growing up and entering teenagehood (Jake is 16, Kemp is 15 and Dutch is 12). Though Van Es has fond memories of each stage with his kiddos, a few recent accomplishments defi nitely stick out in this mind: “My oldest, Jake, is about to become an Eagle Scout and is on the Arcadia High Track Team. My middle son, Kemp, plays basketball for Powerhouse Hoops Under Armor Elite Team. My youngest son, Dutch, has the biggest heart and always loves on our dogs and rescue dogs—it will make you melt. Seeing them accomplish these goals blows my mind. When I was their age, all I did was play video games and watch TV.”@johnjayvanesFAVORITE LOCAL LIFESTYLE BLOGGERMCKENNA WESLEYAfter realizing that the typical 9-to-5 grind wasn’t for her, McKenna Wesley tapped into her entrepreneurial spirit and dove into the world of blogging, starting TheBubblyBlonde.Life in 2014. She shares the message of “live your best life” to her 465,000 Instagram followers, who Wesley shares trips, fashion, beauty and other lifestyle goodness with. (She says her favorite travels have been to Napa Valley and Playa del Carmen.) @thebubblyblondePHOTO BY ABBY STEVENSBEST PUBLIC RELATIONS PRO: FEMALEDiane SmithDiane Smith is the public relations and communications manager at Pima Medical Institute and has 13-plus years of experience under her belt. She cites storytelling as the most rewarding part of her career. “I love the opportunity, especially in my current position, to learn about and share stories that make a diff erence in people’s lives,” says Smith. “In PR you hear ‘no’ a lot. It’s when you hear the ‘yes’ that makes it all worth it.” Next year, the respected PR pro is excited to take over as president of the Phoenix Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America. “I’m always up for a challenge and am excited for what the future holds for me.”@prprodiane32April Mocks 2 Backup corrupt.indd 784/9/19 9:36 PMJILL KELLEHERJill Kelleher has been one of the most trusted names in matchmaking since 1986. She is the successful founder and co-CEO of Kelleher International, which serves those looking for love across the globe—from London to Toronto to right here in Scottsdale. She says the highlight of her career thus far is her annual leadership gatherings, “Success to Significance,” on Necker Island with Sir Richard Branson. “We've raised awareness and millions of dollars for his philanthropic division, Virgin Unite, through our clients and other team members,” she says. “It's always four days of amazing speakers, a lot of outdoor activities, nightly dinners and entertainment.” Kelleher says she is constantly rewarded with news and photos of engagements, marriages and babies from her happy clients and her goal for 2019 is to continue “making love happen.”@kellehermatchBest MatchmakerBEST MATCHMAKERSimona FuscoAt the age of 8, a prominent modeling agency discovered Simona Fusco in Vienna, Austria, and she quickly became their top international model for their two biggest clients, Benetton and Lacoste. At that moment, a spark was ignited in Fusco, which has made her the self-made, award-winning entrepreneur that she is today. Fusco’s mother quickly realized that Austria was limited in what it had to offer her daughter so shortly thereafter, at 14, Fusco and her mother relocated to Los Angeles, where the entertainment world quickly discovered her beauty, talent and natural-born charisma. In a span of less than 10 years, Fusco starred in more than 30 television shows and movies. During her time as a Hollywood actress, Fusco noticed that many people she came in contact with were missing the most vital part of life: love. And she set out to do something about it. About 10 years ago, the business-savvy Fusco launched Perfect 12 Introductions. “We started as a boutique agency and grew it to a worldwide company and have been responsible for over 100 marriages,” says Fusco. “I’m proud to have a client list that reads like the Forbes 100.” She conducts custom-tailored matches for her clients by taking the time to get to know each and every one of them. She has a mind-blowing 90-perfect success rate and has been recognized internationally for her work, including on CNN, CBS, GQ , US Weekly, Esquire and numerous other publications. Fusco was even presented by the mayor of Los Angeles with a Global Excellence and Entrepreneur of the Year Award. “Over the years, I’ve had so many moments of when I was so proud to be the one responsible for creating happiness and love with people who started out as clients and then became like family.” She is also the founder of nonprofit The Maria Gruber Foundation, dedicated to her mother who passed away from cancer in 2014 and created to provide educational tools to help parents, children and loved ones affected by terminal illness. This year, Fusco hopes to create a mobile version of Perfect 12.perfect12.com.Fusco has helped celebrities, Fortune 500 executives and countless others on the quest to find love.31April Mocks 2 Backup corrupt.indd 774/11/19 1:04 PM36BEST WORSHIP LEADERTravis HearnTravis earn is the senior pastor of mpact Church, a church in orth Scottsdale that has e perienced e plosive growth and was named one of the fastestgrowing churches in the nation. earn also serves as the team chaplain to the hoeni Suns and has served as chaplain for Maor eague aseball for over a decade. The father and husband is the author of three boos, ame Changer, our ut s Too ig and 30 ay Journey with od.@ImpactChurchAZBEST MARKETING PROFESSIONALANTHONY SARANDREAAnthony Sarandrea is the founder and C at SiteFlood. is team is highly engaged and proactive, coupling strategic e pertise with highquality e ecution. The most rewarding aspects of Sarandrea s career are helping to resolve more than a billion dollars of debt for Americans and generating more than one million customers in 2019. e are able to loo at consumers holistically and help them with a number of different monthly e penses, with the main focus being on credit card debt, he says. e only mae a small percentage of whatever money we are able to save you.@anthonysarandrea33April Mocks 2 Backup corrupt.indd 794/9/19 4:22 PM37Next >