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Chow
Wednesday, September 4, 2019
Casino Del Sol Launching Tailgate Chef Contest at UA Football Games
Posted By Staff report on Wed, Sep 4, 2019 at 10:56 AM
Get out your aprons and spatulas, Tucson. It’s time to find the best tailgate cook in the Old Pueblo.
At each University of Arizona home football game, starting this Saturday, Sept. 7 against Northern Arizona University, Casino Del Sol Executive Chef Ryan Clark will search for the best tailgate dishes. His goal? To crown one cook as the “Sol Bowl Tailgate Champion of the Week.”
“As a Tucson native, I’m a huge Wildcats fan so tailgating has always been something I look forward to,” said Clark in a release. “I thought it’d be a fun way to show our support for the home team and let local chefs and foodies boast their game day specialties.”
The weekly competition will take place at each of the six Saturday home games at Arizona Stadium: Sept. 7 vs. NAU, Sept. 14 vs. Texas Tech, Sept. 28 vs. UCLA, Oct. 12 vs. Washington, Nov. 2 vs. Oregon State and Nov. 23 vs. Utah.
Starting three hours before kick-off, Clark will be at the tailgate section of the UA Main Campus Mall looking for tailgaters with the best tailgate masterpieces. He will taste one dish from each contestant and select one winner.
Each week’s winner will join Clark on the field during the game, where they will be presented with an official Sol Bowl chef’s apron from Chef Works, and $500 in gift cards.
Tailgate cooks are encouraged to register online prior to each game at casinodelsol.com/solbowl. Entrants must be 21 or older, have tickets to the game and an official tailgating location at the tailgate section of the UA Main Campus Mall.
May the best chef win!
At each University of Arizona home football game, starting this Saturday, Sept. 7 against Northern Arizona University, Casino Del Sol Executive Chef Ryan Clark will search for the best tailgate dishes. His goal? To crown one cook as the “Sol Bowl Tailgate Champion of the Week.”
“As a Tucson native, I’m a huge Wildcats fan so tailgating has always been something I look forward to,” said Clark in a release. “I thought it’d be a fun way to show our support for the home team and let local chefs and foodies boast their game day specialties.”
The weekly competition will take place at each of the six Saturday home games at Arizona Stadium: Sept. 7 vs. NAU, Sept. 14 vs. Texas Tech, Sept. 28 vs. UCLA, Oct. 12 vs. Washington, Nov. 2 vs. Oregon State and Nov. 23 vs. Utah.
Starting three hours before kick-off, Clark will be at the tailgate section of the UA Main Campus Mall looking for tailgaters with the best tailgate masterpieces. He will taste one dish from each contestant and select one winner.
Each week’s winner will join Clark on the field during the game, where they will be presented with an official Sol Bowl chef’s apron from Chef Works, and $500 in gift cards.
Tailgate cooks are encouraged to register online prior to each game at casinodelsol.com/solbowl. Entrants must be 21 or older, have tickets to the game and an official tailgating location at the tailgate section of the UA Main Campus Mall.
May the best chef win!
Friday, August 16, 2019
Chow / Community Info / News
Sahuarita Pecan Festival Cancelled, FICO Blames Global Tariffs
Posted By Staff report on Fri, Aug 16, 2019 at 2:39 PM
Farmers Investment Co.(FICO) announced today that the 2019 Sahuarita Pecan Festival is cancelled.
The annual event, originally scheduled for Nov. 9, has been a Sahuarita tradition for the last 10 years but according to their press release is no longer feasible under the current "global economic conditions."
FICO pointed to the imposition of trade tariffs upon the pecan industry as a major factor in the decision to cancel the event.
Last year, the industry took a major hit when China, the top purchaser of U.S. pecans, imposed a 47 percent tariff on them. The increase happened incrementally, with China imposing a seven percent increase in 2017, a 15 percent increase in April of last year and an additional 25 percent last July.
The impacts of the increased tariff have been felt by pecan farmers across the nation including Texas, New Mexico and Georgia.
FICO also cited the "significant expenditure of funds" involved in producing the festival and staff time as factors in the decision.
The pecan festival averaged about 20,000 guests annually since it began in 2009.
The Pecan Classic race on Nov. 9 will still occur as scheduled.
The annual event, originally scheduled for Nov. 9, has been a Sahuarita tradition for the last 10 years but according to their press release is no longer feasible under the current "global economic conditions."
FICO pointed to the imposition of trade tariffs upon the pecan industry as a major factor in the decision to cancel the event.
Last year, the industry took a major hit when China, the top purchaser of U.S. pecans, imposed a 47 percent tariff on them. The increase happened incrementally, with China imposing a seven percent increase in 2017, a 15 percent increase in April of last year and an additional 25 percent last July.
The impacts of the increased tariff have been felt by pecan farmers across the nation including Texas, New Mexico and Georgia.
FICO also cited the "significant expenditure of funds" involved in producing the festival and staff time as factors in the decision.
The pecan festival averaged about 20,000 guests annually since it began in 2009.
The Pecan Classic race on Nov. 9 will still occur as scheduled.
Monday, August 5, 2019
Arts and Culture / Chow / Do This! / Shopping
Summer Night Market at the Annex
Posted By Meredith O'Neil on Mon, Aug 5, 2019 at 11:00 AM
As cooler nights set in during the summer, the Mercado San Agustin Annex invites you to their Summer Night Market. Every last Friday of the month through September, the annex is turned into an open-air market with local makers and vendors.
Come for the live music from DJ Herm, grab some Japanese food from Kukai and browse some rescued potted cactus from DIRT shop. This family-friendly event features Now or Never boutique store, Why I Love Where I Live and MESA shop, among many others.
When: Friday, August 30
6 – 10:00 p.m.
Where: MSA Annex
267 S Avenida del Convento
Next Night Market:
Friday, September 27
6 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Friday, June 28, 2019
Chow / Community Info / Do This! / Gardening
Learn to Cook at the Garden Kitchen
Posted By Meredith O'Neil on Fri, Jun 28, 2019 at 12:44 PM
The Garden Kitchen in South Tucson is a "seed-to-table" community program that provides education on growing and cooking food for better health and wellness on any budget. They partner with the City of South Tucson, Pima County, and the University of Arizona to focus on food security.
The Garden Kitchen offers cooking classes, and this Saturday, June 29, they're teaching a class called "Healthy and Delicious: With a Latin Twist Hands-On Cooking Class."
Learn to cook gazpacho, crispy vegetable cakes with lemon cilantro crema, and cauliflower ceviche.
You'll understand how to make a cold soup, how to make a sauce, and how to create full-flavor vegetarian entrees.
Can't catch this class? The Garden Kitchen offers classes throughout the month. And they're not just cooking classes, but fitness ones too.
Saturday, June 29 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. $55
Proceeds go towards The Garden Kitchen's free programming. 2205 S. 4th Ave.
The Garden Kitchen offers cooking classes, and this Saturday, June 29, they're teaching a class called "Healthy and Delicious: With a Latin Twist Hands-On Cooking Class."
Learn to cook gazpacho, crispy vegetable cakes with lemon cilantro crema, and cauliflower ceviche.
You'll understand how to make a cold soup, how to make a sauce, and how to create full-flavor vegetarian entrees.
Can't catch this class? The Garden Kitchen offers classes throughout the month. And they're not just cooking classes, but fitness ones too.
Saturday, June 29 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. $55
Proceeds go towards The Garden Kitchen's free programming. 2205 S. 4th Ave.
Tuesday, June 11, 2019
GUT Announces Summer Dinner Series
Posted By Tucson Weekly Staff on Tue, Jun 11, 2019 at 1:28 PM
The Gastronomic Union of Tucson, a collaboration between over three dozen local chefs and restaurateurs, recently announced their 2019 Summer Pop-Up Dinner series. The five-course dinners will take place on a monthly basis at The Carriage House through August. Each meal features a different theme and unique contributions by local chefs.
June 30 - El Tour de Kino
This first dinner highlights the travels of Father Eusebio Kino during the establishment of missions in Baja California. This cross-cultural dinner includes: Braised beef cheek, machaca flakes, Tohono O’odham squash purée, duck prosciutto, nopalitos, jicama, chiltepin masa and more.
July 28 - Time Warp
Paying homage to generations past, this evening's dinner includes modern chefs' interpretations of meals of bygone eras. Full meal details will be released in the not too distant future.
August 25 - Deception
The food at this meal is not as it seems! The chefs are going to use "culinary sleight of hand" for this dinner which promises both to delight and confound the senses.
Participating chefs include Nichole Correa of Batch, Eric Catalano of Hilton El Conquistador, Jose Almanza of El Taco Rustico, Anthony Rocco DiGrazia of Rocco’s Little Chicago, Brently Singletary of Zona 78, Janet Jones of Tanque Verde Ranch and more.
Tickets are available here.
June 30 - El Tour de Kino
This first dinner highlights the travels of Father Eusebio Kino during the establishment of missions in Baja California. This cross-cultural dinner includes: Braised beef cheek, machaca flakes, Tohono O’odham squash purée, duck prosciutto, nopalitos, jicama, chiltepin masa and more.
July 28 - Time Warp
Paying homage to generations past, this evening's dinner includes modern chefs' interpretations of meals of bygone eras. Full meal details will be released in the not too distant future.
August 25 - Deception
The food at this meal is not as it seems! The chefs are going to use "culinary sleight of hand" for this dinner which promises both to delight and confound the senses.
Participating chefs include Nichole Correa of Batch, Eric Catalano of Hilton El Conquistador, Jose Almanza of El Taco Rustico, Anthony Rocco DiGrazia of Rocco’s Little Chicago, Brently Singletary of Zona 78, Janet Jones of Tanque Verde Ranch and more.
Tickets are available here.
Tuesday, June 4, 2019
Postino WineCafé Opening Midtown Location
Posted By Tucson Weekly Staff on Tue, Jun 4, 2019 at 9:25 AM
Prepare your palate for Tucson’s newest restaurant concept, Postino WineCafe, set to open its doors early next year in midtown.
Located on the southeast corner of West Grant Road and North Tucson Boulevard, Postino will partner with longtime Tucsonans to introduce the first-ever Southern Arizona location.
"Postino has always been focused on serving our surrounding community and really becoming a part of the fabric of a neighborhood," said Postino CEO Lauren Bailey, in a statement. "So while we looked at dozens of potential sites over the years, it wasn't until we walked this site with (developer) Brian Frakes and explored the amazing neighborhood, including local favorite like Dante's Fire and Kingfisher, that we knew we'd found the perfect home for Postino in Tucson."
Postino, 2500 E. Grant Road, will be housed inside a 4,000-square-foot space that include a floor-to-ceiling windows and roll-up windows, and an outdoor patio tucked behind a living wall of plant vines. The establishment will open daily for lunch and dinner, with brunch offered every weekend.
The menu will feature bruschetta, soups, salads and Panini sandwiches, as well as an ever-changing selection of wines. Specials will include $5 mimosas every Saturday and Sunday, $5 before 5 p.m. deals and a $20 bottle of wine and bruschetta board deal every Monday and Tuesday evening.
Located on the southeast corner of West Grant Road and North Tucson Boulevard, Postino will partner with longtime Tucsonans to introduce the first-ever Southern Arizona location.
"Postino has always been focused on serving our surrounding community and really becoming a part of the fabric of a neighborhood," said Postino CEO Lauren Bailey, in a statement. "So while we looked at dozens of potential sites over the years, it wasn't until we walked this site with (developer) Brian Frakes and explored the amazing neighborhood, including local favorite like Dante's Fire and Kingfisher, that we knew we'd found the perfect home for Postino in Tucson."
Postino, 2500 E. Grant Road, will be housed inside a 4,000-square-foot space that include a floor-to-ceiling windows and roll-up windows, and an outdoor patio tucked behind a living wall of plant vines. The establishment will open daily for lunch and dinner, with brunch offered every weekend.
The menu will feature bruschetta, soups, salads and Panini sandwiches, as well as an ever-changing selection of wines. Specials will include $5 mimosas every Saturday and Sunday, $5 before 5 p.m. deals and a $20 bottle of wine and bruschetta board deal every Monday and Tuesday evening.
Monday, June 3, 2019
Downtown Kitchen Hosts "Happy Hour with Gary Nabhan"
Posted By Jeff Gardner on Mon, Jun 3, 2019 at 10:28 AM
Tucson's favorite ethnobotanist Gary Paul Nabhan will be mixing specialty cocktails at Downtown Kitchen for a happy hour benefiting the Tucson City of Gastronomy nonprofit on June 4. Serving as a "celebrity bartender," Nabhan will use his agricultural and ecological know-how to expertly make some drinks from pomegranate and prickly pear shrubs.
This is also an opportunity to meet board members from the Tucson City of Gastronomy and learn more about their upcoming programs.
Nabhan also recently wrote an article for Tucson Weekly examining the role agaves play in our local food and culture.
4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 4. 135 S. 6th Ave. Open to the public and free to attend.
This is also an opportunity to meet board members from the Tucson City of Gastronomy and learn more about their upcoming programs.
Nabhan also recently wrote an article for Tucson Weekly examining the role agaves play in our local food and culture.
4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 4. 135 S. 6th Ave. Open to the public and free to attend.
Wednesday, May 29, 2019
Where Love Lives: Charrovida Now Open
Posted By Matt Russell on Wed, May 29, 2019 at 11:04 AM
There was great wisdom in the prescription by Greek physician Hippocrates when he said, “Let food be thy medicine, and medicine be thy food.” Though he spoke these words thousands of years ago, their relevance remains at the newest restaurant to come from the Flores Concepts family, Charrovida.
I sat down with Ray Flores, the Chief of the Charrosphere himself, at a pre-open dinner last night. And just seconds into his story about this new concept, it was clear to me what he and his team were collectively embracing.
This is a place where love lives.
This love story weaves its way from the spirit of Salamanca, Spain, where family and cultural traditions were forged by Old Spain’s proud charros, to the soul of Sonora, Mexico, where inspiration was drawn from the blessings of the land. Food was life. Food was love. And food was the connection to health.
You might say that Charrovida’s thoughtful menu is a modern-day prelude to this love story. Its Food Por Vida (Food for Life) promise allows us the opportunity to love on ourselves, and our families and friends, just a little bit more. The chapters of this story highlight the benefits of plant-based eating, the ideal and sustainable proteins and their intentional preparations, the natural fats that our hearts crave, the most suitable of sweeteners, and other examples of foods that maximize the body’s inherent potential for self-healing.
The chapters of this love story are conveniently organized by category, including:
Viva Vegetales tapas (try the chile-charred cauliflower al pastor with grilled pineapple)
Comerjuntos for sharing (try the tableside avocado hummus with plantain tostones)
Bowls y Mas (try the frida salad with arugula, watermelon, and quesa frida)
Entrees (try the salmon de la costa with charred Brussels, hummus, pepitas, and chimichurri)
Dulces y Cafe (try the yes we did with vegan and gluten-free chocolate chip, peanut butter, and sugar cookies with ice cold almond milk)
Joining this loving lineup are a host of side dishes, organic and biodynamic wines, beers, cocktails, and a colorful array of alcohol-free refrescos.
You can take great comfort knowing that a group hug awaits you at the place where love lives.
Located in Casas Adobes Plaza on Ina and Oracle Roads, Charrovida opens its doors to the public today and will serve guests daily from 10:00 am – 9:00 pm.
Viva Vida!
Read more On the Menu Live articles here.
I sat down with Ray Flores, the Chief of the Charrosphere himself, at a pre-open dinner last night. And just seconds into his story about this new concept, it was clear to me what he and his team were collectively embracing.
This is a place where love lives.
This love story weaves its way from the spirit of Salamanca, Spain, where family and cultural traditions were forged by Old Spain’s proud charros, to the soul of Sonora, Mexico, where inspiration was drawn from the blessings of the land. Food was life. Food was love. And food was the connection to health.
You might say that Charrovida’s thoughtful menu is a modern-day prelude to this love story. Its Food Por Vida (Food for Life) promise allows us the opportunity to love on ourselves, and our families and friends, just a little bit more. The chapters of this story highlight the benefits of plant-based eating, the ideal and sustainable proteins and their intentional preparations, the natural fats that our hearts crave, the most suitable of sweeteners, and other examples of foods that maximize the body’s inherent potential for self-healing.
The chapters of this love story are conveniently organized by category, including:
Viva Vegetales tapas (try the chile-charred cauliflower al pastor with grilled pineapple)
Comerjuntos for sharing (try the tableside avocado hummus with plantain tostones)
Bowls y Mas (try the frida salad with arugula, watermelon, and quesa frida)
Entrees (try the salmon de la costa with charred Brussels, hummus, pepitas, and chimichurri)
Dulces y Cafe (try the yes we did with vegan and gluten-free chocolate chip, peanut butter, and sugar cookies with ice cold almond milk)
Joining this loving lineup are a host of side dishes, organic and biodynamic wines, beers, cocktails, and a colorful array of alcohol-free refrescos.
You can take great comfort knowing that a group hug awaits you at the place where love lives.
Located in Casas Adobes Plaza on Ina and Oracle Roads, Charrovida opens its doors to the public today and will serve guests daily from 10:00 am – 9:00 pm.
Viva Vida!
Read more On the Menu Live articles here.
Staff Pick
2019 Chasing Rainbows Gala featuring LeAnn Rimes
LeAnn Rimes is an internationally multi-platinum selling acclaimed singer and ASCAP award-winning songwriter.… More
@ Fox Tucson Theatre
Sun., Oct. 20, 7 p.m.
17 W. Congress St.
