JBF Taste America PHX

     Before reading this post you must know who James Beard is. If you don't, educate yourself here. If you are one of the educated, you are well aware of what a complete bad ass James Beard was. He was so iconic that there is now a foundation and an award in his name that just so happens to be the food equivalent of an Oscar. I have been to the James Beard Awards in the past and it is definitely a spectacle. If you're curious about it, feel free to read my account of last years experience. The awards are put on by the James Beard Foundation, which also puts on other smaller events throughout the year. One of those events is called Taste America. For the past three years, my mom has been hired to put together the events for Taste America Phoenix (there are 9 other cities), and since I work for my mom, I've had the pleasure of helping her with this event.

      

      If you love food and want to have an amazing time, you need to find a way to make it to one of the events going on. The big dinner (as I like to call it) is a multiple course meal with dishes from local chefs and a star chef that change each year, making each year completely unique. Silent and live auctions, tons of wine and drinks, and fabulously good food are guaranteed. The morning after, Sur La Table hosts cooking demonstrations by some of the chefs who were cooking at the dinner. There are also local vendors that showcase samples of their products in the store. This year there will be a new event prior to the big dinner that will be hosted by Fox Restaurants Concepts and I couldn't be more stoked. I will be at each one of these events working, and eating as much as I can. Check out the info below if you're interested in attending! Don't forget to follow The James Beard Foundation on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook to keep up with all things James Beard and JBF Taste America Phoenix on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook to keep up with everything happening regarding the event!

      The James Beard Foundation (JBF) is pleased to announce the third consecutive year of the Taste America®: “Local Flavor from Coast To Coast” national epicurean tour, which will visit ten American cities this fall. Spanning six weekends between September 18 and November 7, 2015, the program will stop in Boston, Charleston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, New Orleans, Phoenix, San Francisco, and Seattle. Each city will enjoy a special evening that starts off with a walk-around tasting reception from a lineup of celebrated local chefs, followed by a one-of-a-kind, four-course dinner crafted in collaboration with a Taste America All-Star and a Local Star chef.

      Sam Fox, founder of Fox Restaurant Concepts and semifinalist in the James Beard awards Outstanding Restaurateur category for the past two years, will kick off the weekend with a festive and flavorful Taste of Fox Restaurant Concepts Reception, showcasing The Henry, Flower Child, Culinary Dropout, North Italia and Little Cleo's Seafood Legend; a bevy of his best mixologists and a selection of small bites, signature cocktails, wine and beer at the Tempe Culinary Dropout on Thursday, September 24, from 7:00-9:00 p.m.  

Cost is $100 per person.

      On Friday, September 25, the exclusive dining event benefiting the James Beard Foundation, A Night of Culinary Stars, will be held at Royal Palms Resort and Spa. The evening will begin with a reception filled with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres from local chefs and restaurateurs, including Kevin Binkley (Binkley’s Restaurant Group; Cave Creek, AZ), Matt Carter (Zinc Bistro; Scottsdale, AZ), Rochelle Daniel (The Restaurant at L’Auberge de Sedona), Mel Mecinas (Talavera at Four Seasons Resort; Scottsdale, AZ) and Mark Tarbell (Tarbell’s Restaurant Group; Phoenix). Afterwards, guests will savor an extraordinary four-course dinner prepared by three James Beard Award winners, Taste America All-Star Michel Nischan, Local Star Chris Bianco (Pizzeria Bianco; Phoenix), Local Star RoxSand Scocos McCreary and Host Chef Todd Allison (T. Cooks at Royal Palms Resort and Spa; Phoenix), who will come together to create a unique and unforgettable one-night-only menu. 

Cost: $275 per person. Time: 7:00 Cocktail and Tasting Reception followed by 8:00 Dinner.

      For an exceptionally up-close-and-personal experience, there are five slots available to be an amateur sous chef and to work side-by-side with one of the chefs during the reception, with options ranging from $1,500 to $5,000. The participants will be seated afterwards to enjoy the dinner, plus after some light-hearted judging, are eligible to win a dinner for two at the Beard House and a two night hotel stay in New York City. For more information regarding this opportunity, please contact local organizer Robyn Lee at robyn@robynlee.com.

      On Saturday, September 26, free in-store consumer events will take place at Sur La Table® located at Kierland Commons; from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Activities of the day will include cooking demos by All-Star Michel Nischan at 10:00 a.m. and Chef Barb Fenzl at noon; book signings, tastings from local producers and artisans, as well as product demos and tastings from our national sponsors.  Reservations for the free cooking demos will begin two weeks prior to each event at jbftasteamerica.org. Visit Phoenix’s event page for the full schedule and more details. http://www.jbftasteamerica.org/event/phoenix

 

      The James Beard Foundation is proud to donate a portion of the evening’s proceeds to the Taste America Scholarship Fund. Local culinary students in Arizona are invited to apply for this culinary scholarship between April 1 and May 15, 2016 through jamesbeard.org. Candidates will be reviewed by the JBF Scholarship Selection Committee, chaired by Ungaro.