azcentral Wine & Food Experience returns for a fourth year at new location, Monterra at WestWorld, in Scottsdale, from 1-4pm Sat. & Sun., Nov. 3 & 4.
azcentral Wine & Food Experience (#AZWFE) features one of the finest Grand Tastings in the country, the anchor element that showcases gourmet samples from more than 60 restaurants over two days in three pavilions, plus a schedule of lively cooking demonstrations and tastings of industry-leading wines, spirits and craft beer.
Chefs and Grand Tasting participants to date include:
Aaron Chamberlin, Phoenix Public Market Café & Tempe Public Market Café
Aaron Poole, Gadzooks Enchiladas & Soup
Adam Allison, Handlebar Diner
Adam Dunton, Frank & Albert’s
Alex Stratta, Match Restaurant & Lounge
Anthony DeMuro, Different Pointe of View at Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs
Antonio Gordillo, Timo Wine Bar
Atsade Desta, Cafe Lalibela
Boulders Resort & Spa
Brett Vibber, Cartwright’s Modern Cuisine
Brian Peterson, Wright’s at The Biltmore
Carlos Garcia, Tommy Bahama Restaurant & Bar
Carly Loving, Nekter Juice Bar
Country Velador, Super Chunk Sweet
Cory Mingo, Mingo’s Louisiana Kitchen
Dara & Joe Rodger, Shift
Dushyant Singh, Artizen at The Camby
Dustin Christofolo, Quiessence at The Farm
Famished Events
Fernando Fernandez, Toro Latin Restaurant & Rum Bar
Flip Isard, Frites Street
Forest Hamrick, La Hacienda
George Frasher, Frasher’s Smokehouse
Helen Yung, Sweet Republic
Jacques Qualin, J&G Steakhouse at The Phoenician Resort
Jeff Kraus, Crêpe Bar
Jennifer Russo, THE MARKET by Jennifer’s RESTAURANT + BAR
Jim Dandy, West Alley BBQ
Juan Zamora, Chula Seafood
Julio Mata, Barrio Queen
Kevin Wemlinger, Bourbon & Bones Chophouse | Bar
Los Sombreros
Lou Malnatis Pizzeria
Matt Nobile & John Araujo, Bella Gusto Urban Pizzeria
Michael Press, Tanzy Restaurant
Modern Market
Nothing Bundt Cakes
OBON Sushi + Bar + Ramen
Top of the Rock at Phoenix Marriott Resort Tempe at The Buttes
Pomo Pizzeria Napoletana
Proof at Four Seasons Resort
Raveen Arora, The Dhaba
Rich Hinojosa, CRUjiente Tacos
Suny Santana, Taco Chelo
Sweetz Cold Brew Coffee Co.
Talavera at Four Seasons Resort
Tandy Peterson, Mowry & Cotton
The Clever Koi
The Melting Pot
The Thumb
Tonya Saidi, Mamma Toledo's The Pie Hole
Tricia Arce, Toasted Mallow
The Martha Stewart Experience. In its second year at #AZWFE, the 2018 installation of the lifestyle leader’s transformative tented event entry takes on a new theme – Celebrating with Martha. Guests can get creative with Martha’s Celebrations line from Michaels; snap a selfie against a fun backdrop with Martha at a café table; explore the lifestyle leader’s newest lines from Macy’s tabletop; grab a glimpse of a cool ‘utensil chandelier;’ and explore kitchen gear, books, Martha’s QVC product line, and more.
The Grateful House. A new addition in 2018, The Grateful House is a hands-on tented area where guests can make their own salsa and wine charms and learn how to decorate desserts. In addition, Grateful will conclude the day in The Grateful House with a master demo led by a Grateful influencer that 40 people can participate in on a first-come, first-served basis.
Nov. 3, Marcus Samuelsson. Chef Samuelsson is the special guest Sat., Nov. 3. Samuelsson is an award-winning chef, restaurateur, cookbook author, philanthropist and food activist known for his time as a judge on Food Network’s Chopped, Chopped Junior, Beat Bobby Flay and more.
Nov. 4, Aarón Sánchez. Chef Sánchez joins the chef lineup Sun., Nov 4. Sánchez is an award-winning chef, TV personality, cookbook author and philanthropist. Fans may know Sánchez best from his time as a judge on Food Network’s Chopped and Chopped Junior, he can now be seen as a judge on FOX’s hit culinary competition series MASTERCHEF.
Tickets. Tickets are available at wineandfood.azcentral.com for the two-day event, Sat. & Sun., Nov 3 & 4 and feature:
Grand Tasting. $65 limited time offer in advance. Sample delicious bites from Arizona’s most coveted dining establishments. Meet chefs, taste their creations; see cooking demonstrations. Plus enjoy fine wine, craft beer and distinctive spirits sampling. GT entry at 1pm Sat. and Sun.
VIP Grand Tasting. $120 in advance. For guests who seek all the benefits of the Grand Tasting, they’ll also enjoy private tastings from wineries and distillers, early entry, a VIP Lounge and VIP restrooms. VIP Entry at noon.
Chef’s Package Experience with Marcus Samulesson & Aarón Sánchez. $180 in advance. Enjoy all the benefits of the VIP Grand Tasting, PLUS private meet and greet and book-signing with Marcus Samuelsson Nov. 3 & Aarón Sánchez Nov. 4 [Advance purchase recommended. Tickets subject to sellout.] Chef’s Package begins at 11:30am. Subscribers are eligible for $15 off tickets, available only through azcentral.com/insider.