As the primary fundraiser for the Scottsdale League for the Arts, the 36th annual Scottsdale Culinary Festival hosts more than 35,000 guests, 20 events, 100 restaurants and dozens of top chefs. There will be a lot of star power at this year’s Scottsdale Culinary Festival next weekend (April 8 to 13). Here’s the scoop on the five must-see/taste chefs!
Maneet Chauhan
(VIP Experience at Great Arizona Picnic, Scottsdale Civic Center, Saturday and Sunday, April 12 and 13, $100-$125)
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Born and raised in India where she graduated from the culinary and hotel management school at the top of her class
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Graduated with high honors from The Culinary Institute of America
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Was the executive chef at Vermilion restaurant
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Founded Indie Culinaire
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Competed on Iron Chef and The Next Iron Chef
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Is a judge on Chopped
Fabio Viviani
(Epicurean Expo, Saturday, April 12, 2 p.m., Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, free to GAP guests)
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Born and raised in Florence, Italy
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Competed on Top Chef and won the Fan Favorite vote
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Competed on Top Chef All-Stars
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Is the executive chef of Café Firenze
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Wrote three books: Café Firenze Cookbook, The Skinny Country and Did I Really Make Breakfast
Hugo Uys
(Wines of South Africa event: From BBQ to Braai Scottsdale, Saturday, April 12, 7 to 10 p.m. @ Westin Keirland, $25)
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Born and raised in South Africa
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Uses a freeform cooking method
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Mixes traditional South African cuisine with American classics
Joshua Hebert
(Best of the Fest, Sunday, April 13, 6:30 p.m., Hyatt Regency Scottsdale, $175)
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Raised in Arizona
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Opened Café California in Japan
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Was the executive chef at Tarbell’s, North and Dual Restaurant
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Opened POSH Restaurant
Gabrielle “Gabe” Bertaccini
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Born in Florence, Italy
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Attended the Insituto Professionale Buontalenti per Servizi Alberghieri
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Was a chef at Conquinarius
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Is the executive chef and owner of Il Tocco
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Organizes Culinary Mischief, an invitation-only underground roving event featuring a six-course dinner and paired wines
