Though the weather starts inching back to the double digits in September, the Valley is still heating up, thanks to a slew of must-attend culinary events.
A Culinary Celebration
From Sept. 12 through Oct. 25, James Beard Foundation’s Taste America: “Local Flavor from Coast to Coast,” a national epicurean tour celebrating the nation’s culinary diversity, will stop in 10 cities over five weekends, including Phoenix. Phoenix’s Taste America will kick off on Friday, Sept. 12 at The Royal Palms Resort & Spa with A Night of Culinary Stars, an exclusive dining event benefiting the James Beard Foundation during which guests get to taste a culinary collaboration of some of the area’s best and brightest chefs. (Tickets start at $250 per guest.) The following day, Sept. 13, Sur la Table at Scottsdale Fashion Square will host a series of free, in-store consumer events (limited seating), like book signings, tastings from local producers and artisans, plus cooking demonstrations by James Beard Award winners, Sherry Yard and Chris Bianco. (Pictured: A Night of Culinary Stars host chef Paul McCabe of T. Cook’s.) www.jbftasteamerica.org/events.
Hot, Hot, Hot
Things in the Valley are about to heat up as the inaugural Scottsdale Spice Culinary Event is slated for Sept. 27 at the Venue of Scottsdale. During the tasting event, chefs are invited to showcase their dishes in three spice levels—mild, medium and hot—while event-goers sample the dishes and vote for their faves in various categories. General admission is $50. www.scottsdalespice.org.
Educational Eats
On Sept. 20, Phoenix’s American Medical College of Homeopathy hosts its Second Annual Celebrity Chef Collaboration from 6 to 10 p.m. at the newly opened Roseo Design Center in Scottsdale. Top Valley chefs, like Admir Alibasic of Ben & Jack’s Steakhouse and Cathy Bua of Cathy’s Rum Cakes, will demonstrate their own recipes in front a live audience, while ambassadors from the college present the medicinal and health benefits of the ingredients used. Guests are also invited to sip on private-label wine, bid on silent auction items and partake in a cash raffle all to support the nonprofit American Medical College of Homeopathy. Tickets are $75 until Sept. 1, and $100 thereafter. www.celebritychefcollaboration.com.
September Culinary Events in Phoenix
