The Arizona Restaurant Association (ARA) hosted its annual Foodist Awards banquet yesterday, Thursday, October 10, at Young’s Market Company’s Seventh and Union. The Foodist Awards recognize the pursuit and achievement of excellence in the state’s food and beverage scene throughout a number of categories. Nominations were taken earlier this summer and finalists and winners were selected by a panel of industry experts organized by the Arizona Restaurant Association.
The ARA announced the following Foodist Awards winners of their respective categories:
Innovative Fast Bites: Chula Seafood
Arizona Craft Retail Food Product: Cutino Hot Sauce
Signature Dish: Cotton & Copper
Arizona’s Best Coffee House: Press Coffee Roasters
Favorite Arizona Winery: Page Spring Cellars
Top Arizona Brewery: Mother Road Brewing Company
Cocktail Program: Little Rituals
Wine Program: FnB
Best Beverage Program: Bitter & Twisted
Innovative Restaurant Concept: Flower Child
Fantastic Food Truck: Maine Lobster Lady
Emerging Restaurant of the Year: Cotton & Copper
Top Arizona Caterer: Artisan by Santa Barbara Catering
Outstanding Local Restaurant Group: Born & Raised Hospitality
Uniquely Arizona: Kai Restaurant
Acclaimed Industry Instagrammer: @azfoodie
Best of the Best Food Writer: Lauren Saria, Arizona Republic
Good Neighbor: The Dhaba
Top Mixologist | Bartender: Aaron Defeo, Little Rituals
Top Chef: Gio Osso, Virtu
Food Pioneer: Lisa Dahl, Dahl Restaurant Group
Employee of the Year: Benny Cisneros, The Scott Resort & Spa
Manager of the Year: TJ Martinez, Copper Brothel Brewery
