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  • Writer's pictureDiana Brandt
    • Sep 3, 2018

Festival: azcentral Wine & Food Experience


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.

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