Oscar, Emmy, Grammy, Ripe. Phoenix Art Museum’s Men’s Arts Council has announced a brand new local culinary award, Ripe (dubbed the “culinary Oscar”), that aims to recognize the top Valley chefs. This year’s five honorees were “identified for their abilities to create cuisine that exhibits culinary expertise and innovation worthy of national recognition, their passion for Phoenix’s growing culinary scene, and their abilities to draw national spotlight to the Phoenix metro area.” The Ripe awards will take place this, and every, January.
“As a personal supporter of the arts, it’s an exciting time for me personally to see a program like this come together,” says Ryan O’Donovan, member of the Men’s Arts Council. “The fusion of art and the culinary arts combining to raise awareness of the gifted chefs and artisans residing in the Phoenix metro area is monumental and stands to be recognized.”
The 2013 Ripe chefs are: Josh Hebert, Executive Chef and Owner, Posh; Charleen Badman, Executive Chef and Co-Owner, FnB and Bodega; Bernie Kantak, Chef and Co-Owner, Citizen Public House; Greg La Prad, Executive Chef and Owner, Quiessence and Morning Glory Café; and Silvana Salcido Esparza, Executive Chef and Owner, Barrio Café and Barrio Queen. (Esparza was also just named one of Arizona Foothills Magazine’s 2013 Women Who Move the Valley.)
The Ripe 2013 class will be honored on Thursday, Jan. 31 at 6:30 p.m. at an award ceremony and event at the Phoenix Art Museum. The 2013 Ripe chefs will be serving up tastes of their cuisine alongside wines from Arizona’s best growers. Guests will also be treated to an art show from local artist, Lalo Cota. Tickets are $65. www.ripephx.com.
AZFoothills.com congratulates all the 2013 Ripe chefs!
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New Phoenix Culinary Award Announced
