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March 25, 2005/Adar II 14 5765, Volume 57, No. 30
Eating for a good cause
Scottsdale Culinary Festival has something for everyone
JENNIFER GOLDBERG
Special Sections Coordinator
Black-tie progressive dinners, haute cuisine, wine tastings ... the attractions of the Scottsdale Culinary Festival sound pretty decadent, right?
Wrong. The thousands of epicureans who attend the 27th annual Scottsdale Culinary Festival from April 12-17 are all eating, drinking and making merry for a good cause.
The Scottsdale Culinary Festival is a project of Scottsdale League for the Arts, a nonprofit volunteer organization that raises money for arts and arts education programs.
"We have the philosophy that our culture depends on our young people," says Debbie Christensen, Scottsdale League for the Arts president. "Through arts and arts education, they get an experience they've not had in the past. It's an enrichment."
Since 2002, the Scottsdale League for the Arts has made funds available for nonprofit organizations through a competitive grants program. Recent recipients include Free Arts of Arizona, East Valley Academy Charter School, Boys and Girls Clubs and many more. Christensen says that the 2004 Scottsdale Culinary Festival generated more than $195,000 for local arts and arts education programs.
Lest anyone think contributing to a good cause has to be an experiment in self-denial, the Scottsdale Culinary Festival has something for everyone, from fine dining to casual picnics.
Christensen says that the annual event takes nearly an entire year to plan, from booking local and national chefs to finding live entertainment to perform and wineries to do tastings. This year, live entertainment will include performances from Big Nick and the Gila Monsters, The Chadwicks, Sistah Blue, Walt Richardson and more.
Highlights of the 2005 Scottsdale Culinary Festival include:
James Beard Dinner
6 p.m. Tuesday, April 12
Deseo restaurant at The Westin Kierland Resort and Spa will host this event, which features cuisine from James Beard award-winning chefs including the Food Network's Iron Chef, Masaharu Morimoto. Each of the six courses will be paired with a wine selection. The Westin Kierland Resort and Spa is located at 6902 E. Greenway Parkway, Scottsdale.
Cost is $175.
Culinary Hall of Fame Awards Dinner
6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 14
Local, national and international food professionals will be honored at this event, which takes place at Marquesa restaurant at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess Resort, 7575 E. Princess Drive, Scottsdale.
Cost is $100.
Carnivale de Cuisine
7-11 p.m. Friday, April 15
This Caribbean-themed dinner and party will be held at Scottsdale Center for the Arts, 7380 E. Second St., Scottsdale. Guests have the opportunity to sample tastings from local restaurants and national wineries while enjoying music from the Groove Merchants and Mardi Gras-themed dÇcor. Participating restaurants include Tapino Kitchen and Wine Bar, Bahama Breeze, Barcelona, Malee's Thai Bistro, Los Olivos and more.
Cost is $55 in advance, $65 at the door.
Great Arizona Picnic
Noon-10 p.m. Saturday, April 16, and noon - 7 p.m. Sunday, April 17
The most popular event of the festival features tasting booths from popular Valley eateries such as Arizona Bread Company, Julio's Mexican Cantina, Stingray, Wild Noodles, Redfish, The Melting Pot and many more. The picnic features live music and a Kids Zone play area. The Great Arizona Picnic will be held in Scottsdale Civic Center Plaza.
Cost is $5; tasting coupons are $1 each.
Cooks & Corks
Noon-5 p.m. Saturday, April 16, and Sunday, April 17
This food and wine event features demonstrations from top Valley chefs, wine tastings and food samples. Featured eateries include Elements, Mezcal, Bamboo Club, Cholla Restaurant at Casino Arizona, Cantina Laredo, Barrio CafÇ and more. Cooks and Corks will be held at Scottsdale Civic Center Plaza
Cost is $45.
Southwest Festival of Beers
Noon-7 p.m. Saturday, April 16, and noon-6:30 p.m. Sunday, April 17
This enormous beer garden features musical entertainment and more than 200 specialty beers from breweries such as Papago Brewing Company, Sierra Nevada Brewing Company, Joseph Bierbitzch Golden Pilsner and Sonoran Brewing Company. The Southwest Festival of Beers will be held at Scottsdale Civic Center Plaza.
Cost is $5.
Le Tour Culinaire
5:30-11 p.m. Saturday, April 16
A chauffeured trolley shuttles participants on a black-tie progressive dinner tour of some of the Valley's finest restaurants. Each stop features gourmet cuisine and a wine pairing, with an opportunity to meet the winemaker. The dessert finale ends with music and dancing. Participating restaurants include Acacia at the Four Seasons Resort, Different Pointe of View, Mosaic, Roaring Fork and Sassi. The tour begins at The Westin Kierland Resort and Spa, 6902 E. Greenway Parkway, Scottsdale.
Cost is $175.
Wine Country Brunch
11 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday, April 17
This Western-themed event features a sumptuous buffet and meet-and-greets with winemakers including Joseph Phelps Vineyards, Duck Pond Cellars, Desert Wind Winery, Kenwood Vineyards and more. The Wine Country Brunch will be held at Scottsdale Resort and Conference Center, 7700 E. McCormick Parkway.
Cost is $55.
Best of the Fest
6:30 p.m. Sunday, April 17
The festival finale offers Valley chefs an opportunity to showcase their talents. Each chef prepares a five-course meal for a table of 10 guests. Participating chefs include Reed Groban of Marquesa, William Bradley of the Golden Swan and Gregory Casle of T. Cook's at the Palms. Best of the Fest takes place at the Hyatt Regency, 7500 E. Doubletree Road, Scottsdale.
Cost is $150.
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