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Wednesday, February 27, 2019
Tucson Favorites Nominated for James Beard Awards
Posted By Tirion Morris on Wed, Feb 27, 2019 at 10:12 AM
After El Güero Canelo won a James Beard award for American Classic Food last year, Tucson has two reasons to be excited for one of the highest honors in food this time around.
The semifinalist nominees for the 2019 awards were announced this morning, and two Tucson restaurants/chefs made the cut.
Don Guerra, the mastermind behind Tucson favorite Barrio Bread has been nominated for Outstanding Baker. Longtime Tucson classic El Charro has been nominated for Outstanding Restaurant.
Congratulations to all of the nominees, but especially to our local favorites!
Five finalists in each category will be announced on March 27, so keep an eye out for more foodie award news coming up.
The James Beard Award Gala will be held on May 6 in Chicago.
Check out our 2017 article on Don Guerra and Barrio Bread here.
Find the full list of James Beard Award semifinalist nominees here.
The semifinalist nominees for the 2019 awards were announced this morning, and two Tucson restaurants/chefs made the cut.
Don Guerra, the mastermind behind Tucson favorite Barrio Bread has been nominated for Outstanding Baker. Longtime Tucson classic El Charro has been nominated for Outstanding Restaurant.
Congratulations to all of the nominees, but especially to our local favorites!
Five finalists in each category will be announced on March 27, so keep an eye out for more foodie award news coming up.
The James Beard Award Gala will be held on May 6 in Chicago.
Check out our 2017 article on Don Guerra and Barrio Bread here.
Find the full list of James Beard Award semifinalist nominees here.
Monday, January 14, 2019
Saffron and Pastiche Offer Free Meals to Federal Workers
Posted By Christopher Boan on Mon, Jan 14, 2019 at 1:38 PM
Several Tucson eateries are offering free meals to those affected by the federal government's shutdown, including Saffron Indian Bistro and Pastiche Modern Eatery.
Saffron, which is located at 7607 N. Oracle Road, will continue its free lunch buffet offer that they originally offered on Jan. 11 indefinitely, according to the restaurant's Facebook page.
"We know there is a great need to help and there are many people out there still," the post, which went up on Sunday, states. "Thank you to all who have posted their kind comments and have come in to enjoy a meal. We loved meeting with you. We appreciate each and every person. We just want to spread love, compassion and bring a smile. Thank you again."
Pastiche, which is located on 3025 N. Campbell Avenue, is offering free Pastiche burgers or baked mac n' cheese plates from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday to all government employees affected by the shutdown.
The midtown kitchen is also offering free non-alcoholic beverages to those affected, stating their desire to help all affected in uncertain economic times.
Saffron, which is located at 7607 N. Oracle Road, will continue its free lunch buffet offer that they originally offered on Jan. 11 indefinitely, according to the restaurant's Facebook page.
"We know there is a great need to help and there are many people out there still," the post, which went up on Sunday, states. "Thank you to all who have posted their kind comments and have come in to enjoy a meal. We loved meeting with you. We appreciate each and every person. We just want to spread love, compassion and bring a smile. Thank you again."
Pastiche, which is located on 3025 N. Campbell Avenue, is offering free Pastiche burgers or baked mac n' cheese plates from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday to all government employees affected by the shutdown.
The midtown kitchen is also offering free non-alcoholic beverages to those affected, stating their desire to help all affected in uncertain economic times.
Tuesday, January 8, 2019
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona Hosting Kids’ Healthy Cooking Contest
Posted By TW Fun & Games Desk on Tue, Jan 8, 2019 at 10:26 AM
Is your child a culinary wunderkind, whipping up delicious meals with ease for amazed house guests? Or maybe they’re just handy in the kitchen; more than willing to help out when it’s time to make dinner.
Either way, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Southern Arizona is challenging all junior culinarians to submit their healthiest (and most delicious) side dishes for a chance to win plenty of prizes, including the title of Arizona’s Top Kid Chef.
The ninth annual Walk On! Kids Cooking Challenge launched on Jan. 1, and runs through Wednesday, Jan. 23. Children between the ages of 9 and 12 years old living anywhere in Arizona can participate.
Recipes should be for “delicious, nutritious and kid-friendly” side dishes, and can be submitted online at walkonaz.com. Finalists will serve their submissions at a Phoenix Suns home game Monday, Feb. 4 and compete to win prizes.
Recipe submissions must be an original recipe for a hot or cold side dish, include at least one fruit and/or vegetable and be cooked within 20 minutes (not including prep time).
“Year after year I am in awe of the creations these kid chefs come up with,” said Myrna Collins, health promotion executive, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, in a release. “The contest inspires participants to try nutrient-rich ingredients like quinoa, cabbage, avocados, beets and zucchini, which are foods many kids shy away from. It’s also a great opportunity for parents to work side by side with their kids in the kitchen, trying fruits and vegetables in new ways.”
The top five recipes will be selected by a panel of experts based on nutritional value, taste and originality. After the cooking demonstrations, recipes will be posted online for a public vote. Voting will be open from Feb. 4 through Feb. 15.
Either way, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Southern Arizona is challenging all junior culinarians to submit their healthiest (and most delicious) side dishes for a chance to win plenty of prizes, including the title of Arizona’s Top Kid Chef.
The ninth annual Walk On! Kids Cooking Challenge launched on Jan. 1, and runs through Wednesday, Jan. 23. Children between the ages of 9 and 12 years old living anywhere in Arizona can participate.
Recipes should be for “delicious, nutritious and kid-friendly” side dishes, and can be submitted online at walkonaz.com. Finalists will serve their submissions at a Phoenix Suns home game Monday, Feb. 4 and compete to win prizes.
Recipe submissions must be an original recipe for a hot or cold side dish, include at least one fruit and/or vegetable and be cooked within 20 minutes (not including prep time).
“Year after year I am in awe of the creations these kid chefs come up with,” said Myrna Collins, health promotion executive, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, in a release. “The contest inspires participants to try nutrient-rich ingredients like quinoa, cabbage, avocados, beets and zucchini, which are foods many kids shy away from. It’s also a great opportunity for parents to work side by side with their kids in the kitchen, trying fruits and vegetables in new ways.”
The top five recipes will be selected by a panel of experts based on nutritional value, taste and originality. After the cooking demonstrations, recipes will be posted online for a public vote. Voting will be open from Feb. 4 through Feb. 15.
Monday, January 7, 2019
Shot in the Dark: An Always-Open Cafe Closes its Doors
Posted By Tirion Morris on Mon, Jan 7, 2019 at 10:52 AM
Shot in the Dark Cafe announced that on Jan. 25 its always-open doors will close.
One of Tucson's last standing 24 hour cafes, this longstanding Tucson establishment attributes their closure to increased rent and gentrification of downtown. They wrote on Facebook:
While their location on Broadway will close, Shot in the Dark hopes to open a new location in Tucson to keep their business going. The new location has not yet been announced.
The announcement of the cafe's closure has stirred up a mix of emotions online, from fans and haters both. While many are sad to see the cafe close, others are happy to see it go and applaud the continual development of downtown.
Shot in the Dark is one of many recent closures of small businesses forced out by rent hikes and new development, including The Flycatcher and Revolutionary Grounds.
Saturday, December 22, 2018
The Absolute WORST Christmas Candy, Ranked
Posted By TW Fun & Games Desk on Sat, Dec 22, 2018 at 10:00 AM
Holiday candy is something that we all look forward to every year. All the chocolatey-minty-holiday goodness wrapped in sugar makes the season sweet. But, according to CandyStore.com's survey of over 13,000 people, there are some seriously hated holiday candies out there.
Honorable Mention (aka #11) - Peppermint Candy Canes
Did you think this was a popular holiday candy? Us too! Well, apparently we are all wrong and people really don't like these tiny walking sticks!
#10: Old-Fashioned Hard Candy Mix
This stuff might bring back sweet memories of your grandparents, but that's where it should stay: in the past! Not very sweet yet extremely hard, these old-school sweets might give you dentures to match your grandparents.
#9: Ribbon Candy
These are very cool to watch being made, seriously look at a video it's mesmerizing, but to eat? Not so great. Perhaps best used for holiday decorating.
#8: Non-peppermint Candy Canes
While more flavors means more fun colors, there's just something inherently wrong about fruit-flavored candy canes.
#7: White Peppermint M&Ms
Like candy canes, M&Ms are just better if you stick with the classics. Peppermint on chocolate might be tasty, but peppermint in chocolate? Not so good.
#6: Lifesavers Story Books
You are in good company if you have never heard of these, but apparently the 13,000 survey voters really hate these Lifesavers-in-a-book holiday gifts.
#5: Chocolate-Covered Cherry Cordials
Chocolate is good. Cherries are good. But what's with the weird water that falls out of these things when you bite them? Unless you want to shove the whole thing in your mouth like a gum-ball, you are guaranteed to ruin your cute holiday outfit and end up covered in nasty cherry water. Gross.
#4: Peppermint Bark
As someone who loves peppermint bark, this one is upsetting. But apparently the chocolatey-minty layered treat is abundantly hated. Maybe it's the influx of peppermint-bark flavored treats that have popped up over recent years that people are just so sick of the candles, coffee and other creations that it has ruined the real deal.
#3: Peeps
You might think of Peeps as an Easter candy, but with the creation of pumpkin Peeps, ghost Peeps, snowman Peeps and Christmas tree Peeps to name a few, these oddly textured marshmallows are a year-round annoyance. Oh look, there's even a peppermint bark flavored Peep!
#2: Reindeer Corn
What? Red, white and green candy corn? Leave this one to Halloween folks.
#1: Christmas Tree Nougat
Another old fashioned candy that should be left in the past makes it to the top of the most hated holiday candy list. Lacking any particular flavor and destined to stick your teeth together, this is one holiday candy that is more trick than treat.
Read the full article along with comments from those who voted at CandyStore.com
Honorable Mention (aka #11) - Peppermint Candy Canes
Did you think this was a popular holiday candy? Us too! Well, apparently we are all wrong and people really don't like these tiny walking sticks!
#10: Old-Fashioned Hard Candy Mix
This stuff might bring back sweet memories of your grandparents, but that's where it should stay: in the past! Not very sweet yet extremely hard, these old-school sweets might give you dentures to match your grandparents.
#9: Ribbon Candy
These are very cool to watch being made, seriously look at a video it's mesmerizing, but to eat? Not so great. Perhaps best used for holiday decorating.
#8: Non-peppermint Candy Canes
While more flavors means more fun colors, there's just something inherently wrong about fruit-flavored candy canes.
#7: White Peppermint M&Ms
Like candy canes, M&Ms are just better if you stick with the classics. Peppermint on chocolate might be tasty, but peppermint in chocolate? Not so good.
#6: Lifesavers Story Books
You are in good company if you have never heard of these, but apparently the 13,000 survey voters really hate these Lifesavers-in-a-book holiday gifts.
#5: Chocolate-Covered Cherry Cordials
Chocolate is good. Cherries are good. But what's with the weird water that falls out of these things when you bite them? Unless you want to shove the whole thing in your mouth like a gum-ball, you are guaranteed to ruin your cute holiday outfit and end up covered in nasty cherry water. Gross.
#4: Peppermint Bark
As someone who loves peppermint bark, this one is upsetting. But apparently the chocolatey-minty layered treat is abundantly hated. Maybe it's the influx of peppermint-bark flavored treats that have popped up over recent years that people are just so sick of the candles, coffee and other creations that it has ruined the real deal.
#3: Peeps
You might think of Peeps as an Easter candy, but with the creation of pumpkin Peeps, ghost Peeps, snowman Peeps and Christmas tree Peeps to name a few, these oddly textured marshmallows are a year-round annoyance. Oh look, there's even a peppermint bark flavored Peep!
#2: Reindeer Corn
What? Red, white and green candy corn? Leave this one to Halloween folks.
#1: Christmas Tree Nougat
Another old fashioned candy that should be left in the past makes it to the top of the most hated holiday candy list. Lacking any particular flavor and destined to stick your teeth together, this is one holiday candy that is more trick than treat.
Read the full article along with comments from those who voted at CandyStore.com
Friday, December 21, 2018
America's Favorite Christmas Candy by State
Posted By TW Fun & Games Desk on Fri, Dec 21, 2018 at 11:23 AM
Americans really love Christmas candy and it's projected that we will spend over $2 billion on holiday candy this year alone.
CandyStore.com surveyed over 30,000 people to find out what the favorite Christmas candy is in each of the 50 states. Is your favorite on the list?
CandyStore.com surveyed over 30,000 people to find out what the favorite Christmas candy is in each of the 50 states. Is your favorite on the list?
Wednesday, December 19, 2018
Chow / Community Info / News
Fry's Automated Grocery Delivery Launches in Arizona
Posted By Jeff Gardner on Wed, Dec 19, 2018 at 10:35 AM
Kroger announced a new vehicle it will be using to deliver groceries to interested customers. The automated vehicle comes from the company Nuro, a Silicon Valley startup. According to a press release, customers will pay a $5.95 fee on deliveries, which can be scheduled for next-day or even same-day delivery.
Orders are made through the Fry's Food Stores mobile app, and groceries are available for delivery seven days a week.
The new vehicles, known as the Nuro R1, travel on public roads without drivers or passengers, delivering groceries from Kroger stores (such as Fry's and Ralph's). Nuro has been developing the R1 since 2016.
With this initial announcement, this service is only available at a single Fry's food store in Scottsdale, but more locations across Arizona are expected.
Orders are made through the Fry's Food Stores mobile app, and groceries are available for delivery seven days a week.
The new vehicles, known as the Nuro R1, travel on public roads without drivers or passengers, delivering groceries from Kroger stores (such as Fry's and Ralph's). Nuro has been developing the R1 since 2016.
With this initial announcement, this service is only available at a single Fry's food store in Scottsdale, but more locations across Arizona are expected.
Tucson Makes the List for Top Foodie Cities in the Country
Posted By TW Fun & Games Desk on Wed, Dec 19, 2018 at 9:38 AM
When you think of the top foodie cities in the country, you probably think of New York, San Francisco, Chicago, Las Vegas etc. But, here in Tucson, we are quietly sitting on a culinary goldmine. Great Mexican food, a long line of historical restaurants plus more breweries popping up every day, Tucson is a great place for those who love to enjoy some delicious food and drink.
Experts at Travelzoo conducted a survey to fine the 6 Top Foodie Cities in the Country Right Now and Tucson tops the list!
Experts at Travelzoo conducted a survey to fine the 6 Top Foodie Cities in the Country Right Now and Tucson tops the list!
The nation’s first UNESCO City of Gastronomy has beguiled the Travelzoo team thanks to delicious, approachable fare like the bacon-wrapped Sonoran hot dog at El Güero Canelo’s, plus plenty of brunch hotspots, bakeries, and a new bean-to-bar chocolate spot, plus temporary pop-up dinners and other special foodie events. - The FeastWay to go Tucson! Other cities that made the list were Detroit, Greensville South Carolina, Houston, Oakland and Portland Maine. View the full list here.
Staff Pick
Carnival of Illusion: Magic, Mystery & Oooh La La!
This top-rated illusion show is "Revitalizing Magic" by blending an international travel theme with all the charms… More
@ Scottish Rite Grand Parlour
Saturdays, 7:30-9 p.m. Continues through April 27
160 South Scott Ave
