I’m an Arizona-based food, beverage, and travel writer sharing stories of my culinary adventures, drink discoveries, gardening projects, and travel in Phoenix and beyond.
Experience an exclusive evening at Roka Akor Scottsdale with a five-course menu paired with selections from Joto Sake. $225 per person. For menu and reservations, visit OpenTable.
Aarón y Amigos is returning to Phoenix! Join world-renowned chef Aarón Sánchez for his signature fundraising event benefiting the Aarón Sánchez Impact Fund, a program of Emeril Lagasse Foundation that uplifts the lives of Latino youth through food. Don't miss this exciting weekend including a Friday Welcome Reception and Saturday's Aarón y Amigos featuring a cast of his "amigos" aka celebrity chefs coming together for an amazing cause. View our Sponsorships & Tickets: https://emeril.org/aaron-y-amigos/
Friday, September 18, 2026
6:30pm – 9:00pm
Kick off the weekend with an exclusive evening of Sonoran-inspired cuisine and cocktails, superb wines, and meaningful connections at a spectacular private Paradise Valley estate.
Aarón y Amigos
Saturday, September 19, 2026
Tia Carmen at JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa
5:00pm – 9:30pm
Experience an extraordinary evening at Tia Carmen, where Chef Aarón Sánchez and an acclaimed roster of celebrity chefs come together for a one-night-only culinary event in support of Latino youth. Indulge in exclusive tastings, thoughtfully paired wines, handcrafted cocktails, live entertainment, and a premier silent auction
One Saturday a month, Hearth ’61 hosts Brunch & Learn in its private dining room. Watch Pastry Sous Chef Elena Vazquez demonstrate Sweet & Savory Scones while you sip the featured beverage and take home the recipe. The experience continues with a three-course brunch in the dining room, including two dishes, dessert, and a paired glass of wine or cocktail. Reservations can be made HERE.
Get ready for a globe trotting wine war! Quarterfinal 1 kicks off with Spain vs Portugal. You’ll taste wines unique to each country carefully selected by our sommeliers and enjoy dishes prepared by Chef Brent Menke. You sip. You vote. 4 course dinner by Chef Brent Menke with 9 wines from France and Australia. Price: $139 + gratuity and tax Reserve
Heart & Soul: An Evening of Jazz promises an elegant celebration in support of the American Heart Association. Enjoy handcrafted cocktails, the smooth sounds of live jazz, and the timeless elegance of one of Phoenix's most beautiful venues. Choose from VIP or General Admission experiences, and enhance your evening with curated wine pull and mystery boxes. For more details and ticket packages, visit THIS LINK.
Explore Bordeaux at Anhelo through five wines paired with five courses, featuring bottles from both the Left and Right Banks. All wines are ex-château and have been professionally stored since purchase, with vintages ranging from a minimum of four years to 15 years or more. These wines have been hand selected by our Wine Director through years of traveling throughout Bordeaux, spending time with owners, winemakers and directors, and tasting thousands upon thousands of wines during the annual En Primeur barrel tastings of each vintage. T $250 per guest + tax.
Reservations: Book Your Bordeaux Through More Than a Decade Event With Anhelo Restaurant on Resy
Join the Wrigley Mansion for intimate evening with Mark Pisoni. Through a multi-course dinner featuring Pisoni wines alongside coffee and honey produced by the family, Mark will guide guests through the vineyard and the farming philosophy behind one of California’s most distinctive wine growing families. $300.00++ per person. Make your reservations HERE.
Explore the pinnacle of Bordeaux with an evening devoted to exceptional wines from both the Left Bank and Right Bank. The centerpiece is a truly extraordinary 30-year-old Pomerol served from magnum, alongside a selection of prestigious Bordeaux paired with Chef Ivan’s six-course menu. $500 per guest + tax. Reservations: Book Your Icons of Bordeaux Event With Anhelo Restaurant on Resy
Get ready for a globe trotting wine war! Quarterfinal 1 kicks off with France vs Australia. You’ll taste wines unique to each country carefully selected by our sommeliers and enjoy dishes prepared by Chef Brent Menke. You sip. You vote. 4 course dinner by Chef Brent Menke with 9 wines from France and Australia. Price: $139 + gratuity and tax Reserve
Join us at beautiful Tlaquepaque in Sedona for a fun and relaxed evening celebrating the unique flavors of Arizona with a variety of local wines paired with dinner by the VINO ZONA SOMMELIER STAFF. Meet the winemakers and soak up the good vibes. Cost: $120 pp. For more details and to purchase tickets, visit EventBrite.
La Hacienda at The Fairmont Princess, led by Celebrity Chef Richard Sandoval and Executive Chef Forest Hamrick, will host a special Heritage Dinner celebrating community, sustainability, and Mijenta Tequila's brand legacy. The restaurant is known for its modern approach to regional Mexican cuisine and for one of the region's most elaborate tequila lists, including the celebrated Tequila Goddesses program. 6 pm reception, 6:30 pm dinner. Price: $119++ To make reservations, click Here
Join restaurateur Lisa Dahl for her Dine to Donate Dinner Series. The first event will be held at Cucina Rustica with a four-course, family-style Tuscan feast for $95 per person, including a generous glass of our Passionista de Sedona GSM wine to welcome you. This seasonal, rustic food of the countryside, meant to be shared, is my favorite kind of cooking. Click HERE for more details.
This special dinner at Tandy’s brings together Tandy Peterson of Tandy's Cafe, Executive Pastry Chef Rebekah Swift, Highball's Libby Lingua and Delena Humble of First & Last. Seating staggered from 5:00–6:30 PM for $125 per person with cocktails included, followed by an afterparty. Reservations can be made on OpenTable.
Make you reservation for Taste of Italy at Luna by Giada celebrating the flavors, wines, and traditions of Italy. Enjoy an Aperitivo Hour from 5–6 PM, followed by a five-course regional Italian dinner paired with wines from each featured region. Plus, enjoy wine education, door prizes, and exclusive surprises throughout the evening. Early Bird Tickets: $95 per person, all-inclusive of tax, fees, and gratuity. Click HERE for more information and to reserve your seat. Seating is limited.
One Saturday a month, Hearth ’61 hosts Brunch & Learn in its private dining room. Watch Chef de Cuisine Yulissa Acosta demonstrate ceviche while you sip the featured beverage and take home the recipe. The experience continues with a three-course brunch in the dining room, including two dishes, dessert, and a paired glass of wine or cocktail.. Reservations can be made HERE.
Indulge in an intimate evening of exceptional wine and cuisine at Renata’s Hearth at the Arizona Biltmore with a four-course menu, with each dish artfully paired with celebrated Shafer Vineyards wines, from Red Shoulder Ranch Chardonnay to the iconic Hillside Select. Cost: $175 ++/Person Check out 4-Course Shafer Wine Dinner at Renata's Hearth | OpenTable
Carcara at Sheraton Phoenix Downtown introduces their Chef Series Dinners with Executive Sous Chef Jon Young for a five-course dinner celebrating Sonoran Desert flavors with Arizona-sourced and Indigenous-inspired ingredients plus wine pairings. Cost: $85 pp. Make your reservations here:
The Sip + Shop Summer Market Series returns with a free indoor market on Aug. 15, from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. in SoHo Ballroom at Hotel Valley Ho. Browse local chefs and purveyors, enjoy live music, and sip six tastings of wine, beer, and spirits with a wristband. Food from top local chefs and sweets by Maria Arenas will be available for purchase.
The celebrity chef dinner will be held the evenings prior on Aug. 14 at 6 p.m. in Sands. The $149++ dinner features a meet-and greet and three-course, wine-paired menu by Executive Chef Russell LaCasce and guest chef Beau MacMillan with mixologist Jason Asher. Tickets are required for both the market events and the chef dinners, and can be purchased HERE.
In honor of National Oyster Day (on Wednesday, Aug. 5), all four Chula Seafood locations around the valley are celebrating on Saturday, August 1, by offering oysters for just $2 each all day long! (Minimum purchase of 6 required). And stay tuned for additional National Oyster Day deals on Wednesday, Aug. 5!
Chef’s Week is back and begins Friday, July 31 and runs through Sunday, Aug. 9. During the event, participating chef-driven restaurants offer unique three-course prix fixe menus priced at $55 or $66 per person, depending on the establishment. For a full list of participants, visit THIS LINK.
Saddle up for Rodeo Disco, a western-inspired, day-drinkin' party bringing together two of Scottsdale's best new restaurants for a collaboration featuring incredible food, craft cocktails, a custom hat bar, flash tattoos, and a DJ at at Ella on the Park in Scottsdale. Tickets: $95. Includes entry, unlimited food, and four craft cocktails. TICKETS HERE.
One Saturday a month, Hearth ’61 hosts Brunch & Learn in its private dining room. Watch as Pastry Chef Tyler Johnson shows you how to make a lemon meringue tart while you sip the featured beverage. The experience continues with a three-course brunch in the dining room, including two dishes, the demo’d dessert, and a paired glass of wine or cocktail.. Upcoming dates with different themes are Aug. 22 and Sept. 19. Cost: $86++ Reservations can be made HERE.
The Sip + Shop Summer Market Series returns with a free indoor market on July 18, and Aug. 15, from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. in SoHo Ballroom at Hotel Valley Ho. Browse local chefs and purveyors, enjoy live music, and sip six tastings of wine, beer, and spirits with a wristband. Food from top local chefs and sweets by Maria Arenas will be available for purchase.
The celebrity chef dinners will be held the evenings prior— July 17, and Aug. 14 at 6 p.m. in Sands. Each $149++ dinner features a chef meet-and greet and three-course, wine-paired menu by Executive Chef Russell LaCasce and guest chefs: Jonathon Sawyer (July 17) and Beau MacMillan with mixologist Jason Asher (Aug. 14). Tickets are required for both the market events and the chef dinners, and can be purchased HERE.
Taste in Tempe, returning July 12–26, 2026. The two-week culinary program invites diners to explore Tempe's vibrant dining scene through specially curated prix-fixe menus ranging from $25 to $55 per person.
Featuring 25 restaurants throughout the city, Taste in Tempe showcases everything from chef-driven concepts and local favorites to craft cocktails, rooftop dining and globally inspired cuisine. Each participating restaurant will offer a unique multi-course menu highlighting signature dishes and seasonal flavors. For menus and event details, visit www.tempetourism.com/taste-in-tempe.
Brat Haus is throwing a summer party, so wear your beach-iest outfit, expect misters, squirt guns, water games, and of course, food and drinks. FREE entry - RSVP HERE
Join Vincent’s this summer for cooking classes led by Chef Vincent and Chef Christian. Whether you’re an experienced home cook or simply looking to enjoy a glass of wine, you’ll pick up some new culinary skills, On July 2, reserve your spot for a hands-on class focused on July Fourth Celebration. This class will be mostly demonstration with some hands-on participation of Watermelon Feta Salad with Honey Lavender Vinaigrette, Stuffed Burgers on Brioche with Relishes and Mayonnaise and Strawberries Provencal. $125 per person. Reserve your spot HERE.
Join Citizen Public House for an evening celebrating the creativity, talent, and innovation driving Arizona's cocktail scene. This bartending competition series brings together some of the Valley's most talented beverage professionals as they go head-to-head, creating original cocktails paired with a 4-course chef-crafted menu. At the end of the night, you'll cast your vote and help crown the People's Choice winner that will move on to the next round! Tickets are $100++ per person. GET YOUR SEATS
The Fair Catch Foundation, in partnership with The Guest House and inKind, will host the 3rd Annual Celebrity Waiter Night on June 27. The event will feature an impressive lineup of NFL stars, including Budda Baker, Micah Parsons, Jordan Love, C.J. Stroud, CeeDee Lamb, Jalen Ramsey, Derwin James and more, who will trade their jerseys for aprons and become waiters & bartenders for a night that raises funds for underserved communities.
FLEUR: Sedona International Festival of Fine Art and Wine will make its inaugural debut June 26–28, 2026, bringing together fine art, wine, and culture in a celebration inspired by the spirit of the American Southttps://fleurfestival.com/eventshwest. For more details, see the press release HERE. For event information and tickets, visit: fleurfestival.com/events
Join Forty1, the restaurant at Sedona’s luxurious Ambiente resort, as they introduce an intimate, three-part dinner series led by Executive Chef Kyle Rhodes. Limited to just 20 guests per evening, each experience features a five-course tasting menu with wine pairings, a cocktail reception, live music, and dessert under the stars with guided stargazing. Book here for reservations.
Dinner Series Lineup (6 p.m.):
• June 25 – The Mentor’s Table: A personal tribute to the chefs and influences who shaped Rhodes’ career, including Norman Van Aken.
• July 23 – Fire & Harvest: The Flavors of Arizona: Live-fire cooking and early-summer Arizona ingredients, rooted in the Southwest.
• August 20 – Northern Arizona, On the Plate: Seasonal cuisine inspired by Oak Creek and the surrounding landscapes.
Special Offer: $399 room rate with dinner reservation.
Join Pinyon for a special wine dinner. Each course is paired with a curated selection of wines from ROYAL WINE CORP., one of the world’s foremost importers of wines from the Eastern Mediterranean. Tickets: $135 per guest (gratuity & valet parking included)
HUMMUSIYA (Assortment of our hummus & dips, served with warm pita)
CHARDONNAY, PSAGOT, JUDEAN HILLS, ISRAEL, 2023
TOMATO SALAD (Romas, feta, walnut, pomegranate dressing)
ARGAMAN, JEZREEL VALLEY WINERY, LOWER GALILEE, ISRAEL, 2023
CHARCOAL-GRILLED SKEWERS (Filet Mignon, Organic Chicken, Oishii Shrimp, King Trumpet Mushrooms). PINYON FAMOUS PORTERHOUSE, and SLOW-COOKED OKRA
BORDEAUX BLEND, DOMAINE DU CASTEL ‘PETIT CASTEL’, JUDEAN HILLS, ISRAEL, 2023
BAKLAVA CHEESECAKE
PSAGOT ‘PRAT’, JUDEAN HILLS, ISRAEL, NV
The Pemberton is partnering with the Phoenix Zoo to celebrate its iconic pink flamingo mascot and support the zoo’s conservation efforts surrounding National Pink Flamingo Day on June 23. During the month of June, The Pemberton will donate $1 from every “Pink Flamingo” cocktail sold to the zoo. Additionally, guests who present their ticket to Phoenix Zoo within a week of admission will receive 15% off food and drink purchases throughout Aug. 16.
Join Vincent’s this summer for cooking classes led by Chef Vincent and Chef Christian. Whether you’re an experienced home cook or simply looking to enjoy a glass of wine, you’ll pick up some new culinary skills, On June 22, reserve your spot for a hands-on class focused on chicken. Explore the world of premium poultry as you prepare and compare exceptional chicken varieties including Mary's Chicken, Jidori, and Two Wash. Learn chef techniques, taste the differences, and gain a deeper understanding of what makes these sought-after birds favorites in fine dining kitchens. $125 per person. Reserve your spot HERE.
One Saturday a month, Hearth ’61 hosts Brunch & Learn in its private dining room. Watch the chefs demonstrate a signature dish while you sip the featured beverage and take home the recipe. The experience continues with a three-course brunch in the dining room, including two dishes, dessert, and a paired glass of wine or cocktail.. The series kicks off with Cooking with Grains on June 20. The next events will take place on July 25, Aug. 22, and Sept. 19. Reservations can be made HERE.
The Sip + Shop Summer Market Series returns with free indoor markets on June 20, July 18, and Aug. 15, from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. in SoHo Ballroom at Hotel Valley Ho. Browse local chefs and purveyors, enjoy live music, and sip six tastings of wine, beer, and spirits with a wristband. Food from top local chefs and sweets by Maria Arenas will be available for purchase.
The celebrity chef dinners will be held the evenings prior—June 19, July 17, and Aug. 14 at 6 p.m. in Sands. Each $149++ dinner features a chef meet-and greet and three-course, wine-paired menu by Executive Chef Russell LaCasce and guest chefs: Bernie Kantak and Gio Osso (June 19); Jonathon Sawyer (July 17); and Beau MacMillan with mixologist Jason Asher (Aug. 14). Tickets are required for both the market events and the chef dinners, and can be purchased HERE.
Stop by your local Bluewater Grill to enjoy house vodka and gin martinis for only $10.
Join Bluewater Grill | Seafood at Phoenix for a special two-course tuna tasting menu for $55 pp. Make reservations here: OpenTable - Choose a time for your experience
The next Sunday Dinner is almost here, and this one has a little extra on the line. On June 7 at Carcara (Sheraton Downtown Phoenix), three chefs go head-to-head in a live seafood showdown. You taste all three dishes, you vote, and the winner earns a Golden Ticket to the World Food Championships. $150 per person. Reserve Your Seat
5:00-6:00pm - Arrival with cocktail hour and appetizers
6:00-8:00pm - Dinner with cocktail pairings
8:00-8:30pm - Award Presentation and Mingle with the Chefs
