Prepare yourself for a new flavor of ceremony at this year’s Arizona Culinary Hall of Fame, presented by the Scottsdale Culinary Festival and the Scottsdale League for the Arts. The star-studded soiree will be held at Scottsdale’s premier entertainment venue, Livewire. Photos of Arizona’s culinary legends will light up the 25-foot HD diagonal video wall, while the names of this year’s nominees will carousel on the mezzanine’s sweeping LED screen. Unlike previous celebrations of the Grand Canyon state’s culinary masters, this year’s tickets will be available to the general public for $25.
The ceremony will recognize 2015’s best chef, restaurateur, and beverage master. All of last year’s recipients (Joe Johnston of Agritopia, Joe’s Real BBQ and Joe’s Farm Grill; Craig DeMarco & Lauren Bailey of Upward Projects; Aaron Chamberlin of St. Francis and Phoenix Public Market Café; and Micah Olson of Bar Crudo) will present the award to 2015’s culinary tastemakers. What’s more, small bites will be provided by each of the 2014 Culinary Hall of Fame recipients for those in attendance.
Also as part of this year’s event, the late Glenn Humphrey, an icon in the culinary world in Phoenix, will be recognized with the Lifetime Achievement Award presented to his family in memory of his achievements in the culinary landscape of Arizona. Judith Wolf, a leader in childhood arts education and director of arts programs at Young Arts Arizona, will receive this year’s Alex Simon Award.
Along with their induction into the Arizona Culinary Hall of Fame, winners will be presented with their own Ed Mell-designed trophy that has been given to each inductee over the 24-year history, and $500 will be donated to the charitable organization of their choosing. An electoral kitchen including chefs, mixologists, media, farmers, organization leaders and board members will vote for this year’s inductees. The voting body includes the Scottsdale League for the Arts membership, the food and beverage community, the Scottsdale Convention & Visitors Bureau and all past recipients of the Arizona Culinary Hall of Fame awards.
When: Monday, March 30 at 6:30 pm
Where: Livewire, 7320 East Indian Plaza, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Tickets: $25 per person, tickets can be purchased at www.scottsdalefest.org