Foodie news roundup for the week of Jan. 5.
Foosia, Scottsdale’s fast, fresh and healthy alternative to casual dining, is celebrating its one-year anniversary on Tuesday, Jan. 13 with free bowls for everyone who comes by from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Join LON’s at the Hermosa Inn and Last Drop to learn how to make bratwurst from scratch, along with all of the necessary Super Bowl game-day accompaniments, during the Art of Cooking Class: Game Day Grilling class Saturday from noon to 2 p.m. $40 per person. To reserve your spot, call 602.955.7878.
Friday, Jan. 9, is National Cassoulet Day, a newly-anointed nationwide 24-hour homage to the beloved French casserole. Christopher’s and Crush Chef Christopher Gross will be welcome diners all this weekend for his take on the classic dish. Christopher’s Cassoulet ($24), available during dinner service this Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Christopher’s and Crush Lounge, will be made extra decadent with the inclusion of Hudson Valley duck confit and Chef Gross’ infamous house-made merguez sausage, crusted in a portobello dust.
Beginning Saturday, Jan. 17, the third Saturday of every month through April, Taggia Scottsdale will offer hotel guests and local diners the chance to bike to Old Town Scottsdale Farmer’s Market with Chef Massimo De Francesca (pictured). He will shop with them for fresh produce and other gourmet items and return to FireSky and Taggia where he will use these ingredients to prepare a three-course lunch with local Arizona wines for $75 per person, plus tax and tip. Reservations required in advance by calling 480.424.6095.
Join Cowboy Ciao for the next Sommelier Showdown featuring special guest Emmanuel Kemiji of Miura Vineyards. Guests will enjoy five courses and 10 wines in a battle of the bottles between Kemiji and Cowboy Ciao owner Peter Kasperski. Showtime is at 6:30pm on Wednesday, Jan. 21. Tickets are $75 per person, advanced reservations are required by calling 480.946.3111.
Fans of the Eight, Arizona PBS’s “Check, Please! Arizona” will have a unique way to bring the show’s onscreen experiences to life when Eight’s “Check, Please! Arizona” Tasting Tour returns Jan. 20. The tasting tour takes viewers on a five-stop tour around the Valley to experience several of the local restaurants featured on the show firsthand. Betty’s Nosh is the first stop, followed by Thee Pitts “Again,” Haus Murphy, Bella Luna and Irish Wolfhound. Seating for the “Check, Please! Arizona” Tasting Tour is limited. Two groups will depart on the tour at 5 and 5:30 p.m., respectively. A donation of $125 per person supports future productions of “Check, Please! Arizona” on Eight. For information or to reserve a space, visit www.azpbs.org/checkplease.
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