GetOut Magazine

Taste the best at Scottsdale Culinary Fest
By ADRIENNE FRANK
Get Out
April 10, 2003

This weekend, treat your taste buds to the 25th annual Scottsdale Culinary Festival. Featuring plenty to drink and even more to munch on, the event is sure to satisfy. Heres a rundown of the weekends tasty happenings:

A Caterers Fare
Details: Kick off the Culinary Fest in style at this spicy, sophisticated event featuring delightful dishes from the Valleys top caterers. Guests who are encouraged to break out that little black dress or dark tie for the event will also enjoy live music from the Reed family and all the martinis they can muster at the Absolut tent.
Info: 7 to 11 p.m. Friday, Scottsdale Civic Center Plaza, 7380 E. Second St.
Cost: $75 per person (includes all food tastings, alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages, including the Absolut tent)

Cooks & Corks
Details: Learn from the masters during two afternoons of cooking demonstrations. Featured chefs include Bradford Thompson of Mary Elaines, Chuck Wiley of Elements, Roy Yamaguchi of Roys Restaurant, James Robert of Eddie Vs Edgewater Grille, Christopher Cristiano of Bloom and North, and Jagger Griffin of Furio. (Best of all, visitors get to sample all of the finished products.)
Info: Noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Scottsdale Civic Center Plaza, 7380 E. Second St.
Cost: $40 per person (includes all tastings)

Great Arizona Picnic
Details: The most popular event of the weekend, the picnic features more than 40 of the Valleys tastiest eateries, including Arizona Bread Co., Axis/ Radis, Bamboo Club, Blue Agave, Cookies in Bloom, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Drift, Hawaiian Shaved Ice, Julios, Lucky Seven, Melting Pot, Nick & Tonys, Pizzeria Uno, Roys Hawaiian Fusion, Rubys Diner, Tequila Grill and Voodoo Daddys Magic Kitchen. Between samples, visitors can enjoy music from Casino Arizonas Showstoppers and other musical entertainment.
Info: Noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, noon to 7 p.m. Sunday, Scottsdale Civic Center Plaza, 7380 E. Second St.
Cost: $5 admission and $1 per tasting coupon (samples cost between one and five coupons)

Southwest Festival of Beers
Details: After youve had your fill of food, head to the beer gardens (located within the picnic grounds) and sample some of the worlds best beers. Sponsored by Safeway, the event will feature more than 200 national and international brands, though some local breweries like Tempes Four Peaks Brewing Co. will also be in attendance.
Info: Noon to 9 p.m. Saturday, noon to 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Scottsdale Civic Center Plaza, 7380 E. Second St.
Cost: $5 admission (includes complimentary tasting mug) and $1 per tasting coupon (samples cost between one and two coupons)

Le Tour Culinaire
Details: Sample the best the Valley has to offer during this black-tie culinary tour. Guests will be escorted to three restaurants from an impressive lineup that includes Elements, Roaring Fork, Golden Swan at the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale, Palm Court at the Scottsdale Conference Resort, Remingtons Restaurant at the Scottsdale Plaza Resort and La Hacienda at the Fairmont Princess Resort. The evening also includes plenty of wine, a champagne toast and dancing to Valley crooner Guy Pennacchio.
Info: 5:30 p.m. to midnight Saturday, Doubletree Paradise Valley Resort, 5401 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale
Cost: $175 per person

Wine Country Brunch
Details: Start out your Sunday morning right with a morning feast, including Chardonnay poached tiger prawns, marinated tuna sashimi, made-to-order omelets, chocolate-drenched strawberries, white chocolate cheesecake and other delights. The event will also feature wines from Trefethen, Robert Mondavi, Caterina and Tobin James, musical entertainment from Vanessa Florez and a silent auction.
Info: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Four Seasons Resort, 10600 E. Crescent Moon Drive, Scottsdale
Cost: $55 per person

Best of the Fest
Details: Get the V.I.P. treatment at this black-tie event featuring a five-course meal prepared tableside by some of the Valleys finest chefs. The evening will also include plenty of fine wine and a sparkling wine aperitif. The original artwork used for this years festival poster will also be raffled off during this event.
Info: 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort, 7500 E. Doubletree Ranch Road
Cost: $150 per person

For more information on any of these events, call or check out www.scottsdaleculinaryfestival.org.

Entertainment lineup

The Culinary Festival is about more than just great food. Heres the weekends entertainment schedule:

Saturday Center Stage
Noon to 1:45 p.m.: Loose Change (classic soft rock)
2:15 to 4:15 p.m.: Katrina Carlson (pop)
4:45 to 6:45 p.m.: The Clare Voyants (Irish pub band)
7:15 to 9:15 p.m.: Quetzal Guerrero y Cascabel (Latin rhythm)

Saturday Amphitheater Stage
Noon to 2 p.m.: The Khani Cole
Band (contemporary jazz and R&B)
2:30 to 4:30 p.m.: Casino Arizona Showstoppers
5 to 7 p.m.: Desert Gumbo (Zydeco-flavored R&B)
7:30 to 9:30 p.m.: Azz Izz (world beat pop)

Saturday Beer gardens
1 to 8 p.m.: The Rave (classic rock favorites)

Sunday Center Stage
Noon to 1:45 p.m.: Novo Mundo (Brazilian jazz)
2:15 to 4 p.m.: Gigi Dixon (variety)
4:30 to 6:30 p.m.: Alice Tatum (jazz and pop)

Sunday Amphitheater Stage
Noon to 2 p.m.: Sunday Afternoon (rock)
2:30 to 4:30 p.m.: Casino Arizona Showstoppers
5 to 6:30 p.m.: Sistah Blue (blues)

Sunday Beer gardens
1 to 5:30 p.m.: The Rave (classic rock favorites)