Taste Tidbits

Foodie news roundup for the week of May 14.
Summer breakin’: Famous 48 is taking a summer vacation and returning this fall with new recipes, interior and more.
Whiskey Row Gilbert honors very Tuesday in May with a free entrée from 4 p.m. to close.
Press Coffee (pictured) is donating all profits from in-store and online sales to Phoenix Children’s Hospital in a Day of Giving on Friday, May 18. It is the first in its new Press On Charities program dedicated to supporting Arizona communities.
Las Palmas Cantina is bringing the coastal food, drink and vibe of the Mexican Riviera to Downtown Chandler (where Vintage 95 was formerly located).The restaurant has its grand opening on Saturday, May 19, from 5 to 10 p.m. and is donating 50 percent of proceeds from the event to the Chandler youth center, ICAN. Guests will also get a $10 gift card for a future visit.
The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf is focusing its ongoing Caring Cup initiative to benefit local First Responders with the launch of “Heroes at Heart” coffee and tea blends. One dollar from every bag of “Heroes at Heart” coffee or tea tin sold in-stores and online from May 21 to July 8 will be donated to first responders and their families through 100 Club of Arizona. On Monday, May 21, “Heroes at Heart” Coffee and Tea Blends will be introduced at a launch event at The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf in Chandler, where First Responders will receive a free beverage of choice all day.
Flavors of Phoenix is an annual event that features the combined culinary talents of 30 of the Valley’s best chefs coming together to cook fine foods while also raising funds for the American Liver Foundation. Now hosted in 20-plus cities nationwide, the 2018 Flavors of Phoenix will be held inside the Kierland Grand Ballroom at the Westin Kierland Resort & Spa on Thursday, May 24, from 6 to 10:30 p.m. Featuring an all-star lineup of top local chefs, including founding chef Christopher Gross of the Wrigley Mansion, the event kicks off with a cocktail reception and silent auction, before transitioning to a food-forward multi-course dinner that showcases the signature dishes and refined flavors of the host chefs. Best of all, every ticket ($500 per person) will go directly to help fund the research, education, and advocacy efforts of the American Liver Foundation. Other participating chefs include Matt Carter (Zinc Bistro, The Mission, The House Brasserie, Fat Ox) and Chris Masco (Westin Kierland Resort), joined by fellow chefs Derek Biazo (Deseo), Rick Boyer (The Phoenician), Joseph Castillo (Sushi Roku), Zane Cote (EVO), Rochelle Daniel (Fat Ox), Tom D’Ambrosio (Aioli Gourmet), Michael DeMaria (M Culinary), Anthony DeMuro (Different Pointe of View) and Frank Desplechin (L’Auberge de Sedona), among many others.
Back for its ninth year is the nationally acclaimed Willcox Wine Country Spring Festival taking place May 19 to May 20 in Arizona wine country. Wine lovers from across the state travel to this annual wine festival where there will be 15-plus Willcox wineries pouring their award-winning wines, plus a pop-up street bistro, live music and more than 45 other local farmers and vendors.
AJ’s Fine Foods will present The Art of Wine and Tastes of Summer at Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts on Saturday, May 19. This annual affair is the perfect opportunity to discover new wines and enjoy bites in a fun and entertaining setting, all while supporting the arts. Featured tastings of more than 40 wines, hand-selected by AJ’s cellar masters, will be complemented by gourmet specialties from AJ’s, including chef-prepared sample entrees and desserts, sushi, shrimp, delectable sweets and more.  Tickets for entry between 2 and 4:30 p.m. are $40 for the general public and $35 for Scottsdale Arts members. Tickets are available for purchase through ScottsdalePerformingArts.org or by calling the box office at 480.499.8587. VIP tickets for members are $45 and grant early access from 1 to 2 p.m. A limited number of early-access VIP tickets will be available to the general public for $50. Advance purchase is required; no tickets will be sold on the day of the event.
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