To kick off this year's Devoured PHX Culinary Classic the Phoenix Art Musuem hosted Palette to Palate, a pairing of chefs, artists, and spirits, in the great hall of the museum for a crowd willing to spring for the $45 (plus fees) ticket.
The attending chefs were: Silvana Salcido Esparza of the Barrio Cafe, James Porter of Petite Maison, Aaron Chamberlain of St. Francis, and the Guerilla Gourmet himself, Payton Curry. Guests meandered from table to table sampling gourmet bites, local wines, and possible bidding on a painting or two in the silent auction.
Chef: Silvana Salcido Esparza (Barrio Cafe) Artist: Lalo Cota Tequila: Don Julio
Each chef had a table set up where they plated small amounts of food, paired with a wine from a an AZ vineyard, except Barrio Cafe's Chef Silvana Salcido Esparza. The queen
of Comida Chigona paired her food with a tequila tasting and had the low rider margaritas flowing. With Lalo Cota's artwork and hand built taco trike nearby, Chef Silvana offered up a roasted corn cocktail with chile, white cheese, and packed a ton of flavor. Also flavorful at her table was the shrimp and coconut ceviche, although the hard bite of coconut was a textural jolt amid the perfectly cooked shrimp.
In addition to the restaurant's famed "low rider" margarita, there were tastings of Don Julio Blanco with a bit of pineapple sprinkled with chile, and Don Julio Anejo served with a cinnamon dusted orange segment.
more palate tingling bites after the jump
Chef: James Porter (Petite Maison) Artsit: Randy Slack Wine: Dos Cabezas Wineworks
Located between two large colorful paintings by artist Randy Slack, Chef James Porter's table was equipped with a row of little donut makers, looking much like a row of waffle makers. From this small appliances came glorious fennel pollen donuts on which Chef topped with salmon fricasse and lemon creme fraiche.
Chef: Aaron Chamberlin (St. Francis) Artisit: James Angel Wine: Arizona Stronghold Vinyards
