Katie Johnson

Arcadia Edible Garden Tour Left Us Green With Envy -- and With a Few Suggestions for Improvements for Next Year

Casual gardeners, organic enthusiasts, and quite a few Mother's Day weekend duos made their way to the Arcadia Edible Garden Tour over the weekend. From 9 to 1 on Saturday visitors explored the outdoor works of 9 green neighborhood homes including Sweet Life Garden and the Farmyard.  Overall, the ... More >>

Top Five Phoenix Food Stories of the Week

Every week, there's a cornucopia of Phoenix food news, features, and reviews to report here at Chow Bella. If you're like most people, you probably just don't have the time to get to all of it. So, here's a recap of some of the top stories from the week that you may have missed. Aaron Chamberlin's ... More >>

Nine Favorite Mac and Cheese Dishes in Metro Phoenix

Ah, mac and cheese. Whether it comes from a blue box or your mother's oven, few childhood comforts can compare. These days, your cheesy noodle perfection can be customized with additions ranging from the gourmet (pancetta, panko bread crumbs, and lobster) to the not-so-gourmet (hot dogs, ketchup, an ... More >>

Big Brain Awards 2013

Eat, Drink (and Drink and Drink) and Be Pretty at Last Night's Scottsdale Culinary Festival

Eat, Drink and Be Pretty, a quintessential part of the Scottsdale Culinary Festival, and one we couldn't imagine flying in any other part of town, returned to the Scottsdale Center for Performing Arts last night. Known more for aesthetics than substance, the event still had a good amount to offer in ... More >>

Last Night's Scottsdale Culinary Event: The Chocolate and Wine "Experience"

It was a fairly sizable turnout at Talking Stick Resort last night for the Chocolate and Wine Experience, the decadent Day 2 of the week-long Scottsdale Culinary Festival. True to title, the event offered all forms of chocolate indulgence and bottled vino, but left plenty of room for interpretation ... More >>

Lip Chaser Delivers Mouth-to-Mouth Action at the Bar

Pucker up, Phoenix -- a frisky new follow-up to the body shot is here, and it's making its way to a liquor store near you. Lip Chaser, a patent-pending "kiss chaser," is a product from a Tempe-based business aimed at targeting the promiscuous party scene with a line of candy lip-gloss chasers. We ... More >>

9 Things That Make Phoenix a Better Food (and Drink) Town than New York City

I've done it. I've committed to living in Phoenix again after spending years in Manhattan and Brooklyn. I was a student at NYU in a self-constructed program of Food and Environmental Studies, sourcing from personal experiences of discussing, working with and (mostly) consuming food in New York. I tr ... More >>

Green Chile Mac and Cheese Smackdown: The Main Ingredient vs. Roaring Fork

In Arizona, we want things done a certain way. We like our hot dogs Sonoran, our margaritas prickly peared, and our mac and cheese chock-full of green chiles. A classic dish of Americana delivered with a Southwestern spin is the comfort dish of many locals. So whose kitchen should you head to when y ... More >>

Muñeca Mexicana's Minerva Orduño Rincón: Caramelpalooza Candymakers 2013

As the chefs competing in Smeeks and Chow Bella's fourth annual Caramelpalooza -- coming 7 p.m. Friday, April 5, at UNION -- get out the candy thermometers, we've got our pens ready to introduce you to the faces behind the caramel. Minerva Orduño Rincón is a chef who knows how to keep it real. Th ... More >>

Denise Is Cooking's Denise Clayton: Caramelpalooza Candymakers 2013

As the chefs competing in Smeeks and Chow Bella's fourth annual Caramelpalooza -- coming 7 p.m. Friday, April 5, at UNION -- get out the candy thermometers, we've got our pens ready to introduce you to the faces behind the caramel. If you've ever taken a cooking class with Denise Clayton, chances a ... More >>

Top Five Phoenix Food Stories of the Week

Every week, there's a cornucopia of Phoenix food news, features, and reviews to report here at Chow Bella. If you're like most people, you probably just don't have the time to get to all of it. So, here's a recap of some of the top stories from the week that you may have missed.

Urban Table's Traci Zitzer and Russell Johnson: Caramelpalooza Candymakers 2013

As the chefs competing in Smeeks and Chow Bella's fourth annual Caramelpalooza -- coming 7 p.m. Friday, April 5, at UNION -- get out the candy thermometers, we've got our pens ready to introduce you to the faces behind the caramel. Traci Zitzer and Russell "RJ" Johnson are one dynamic duo. After fo ... More >>

10 Best Burritos in Metro Phoenix

The burrito is America's Mexican food, and here in Phoenix, we're lucky to have some of the nation's best -- fresh, flavorful, and more often than not, fearsome in size. Check out our list of 10 burritos that remind you why you choose to live in Arizona. See Also: - The World's First Airborne Mexi ... More >>

Quick PHX 2013 Last Page: Brendan McCaskey

Quick PHX 2013 Party: Dwayne Allen

Quick PHX 2013 Eat Profile: DJ Fernandes

Quick PHX 2013 Shop Profile: Violet Brand

Quick PHX 2013 Art Profile: Rebecca Green

5 Sweet Spots for Valentine Treats in Metro Phoenix

The Super Bowl is this Sunday, and for the anxious holiday planner that can really only mean one thing: Valentine's Day is right around the corner. Rather than half-assing it with some predictable drug store purchase of candy and a card, we suggest you show a little love to local business this yea ... More >>

Laurie Notaro and Others Tell Stories of Food and Love at Crescent Ballroom Feb. 12

What does spaghetti have to do with love? Only Laurie Notaro knows, and she's not telling -- not til Tuesday, Feb. 12, at 7 p.m. when Chow Bella presents Candy Hearts, our second public reading at Crescent Ballroom in downtown Phoenix. See also: - Laurie Notaro's Eight Food(ie) Terms Past Their Ex ... More >>

24 Food and Drink Festivals in Metro Phoenix

Festival season's about to hit full tilt. Are you ready? Now you are. Here are some of our favorite local food & beverage events happening from now until the end of April: FEBRUARY 2/1 - Haute Chocolate Market & Festival Where: Heard Museum Price: $30 in advance, $35 day of the event and $45 for V ... More >>

Top Five Phoenix Food Stories of the Week

Every week, there's a cornucopia of Phoenix food news, features, and reviews to report here at Chow Bella. If you're like most people, you probably just don't have the time to get to all of it. It's kind of like those burgers at Old Town Whiskey; it just won't all fit in your mouth ... or in this ca ... More >>

MJ Coe Dishes on His Love of Wonderbread and Baking to the Willy Wonka Soundtrack

This is part two of our interview with MJ Coe, the bread and butter behind MJ Bread and creative genius behind the wood-fired creations at Federal Pizza. To find out the weirdest thing that MJ ate (or rather, couldn't eat) and where his hatred of Cupcake Wars stems from, check out part one of the in ... More >>

M.J. Coe Dishes on the Weirdest Thing He Couldn't Eat and the Death of Cupcake Wars

M.J. Coe Tammie Coe Cakes and MJ Bread 610 E. Roosevelt St., No. 145 Phoenix, 85004 Federal Pizza 5210 N. Central Ave. Phoenix, AZ 85012 See Also: Aaron Chamberlin Dishes on (Not) Being a Celebrity Chef and the Hype Around St. Francis When It Opened Steven "Chops" Smith Dishes on the Weirdest Th ... More >>

Chow Bella's Gift Guide for the Meat Lover

What? Not done with your holiday shopping? Yeah, neither are we. But we've been making lists -- and checking them twice -- and we've got some suggestions for the nice people on your list. Today, Chow Bella's Gift Guide for the Meat Lover. We all know that person. The person whose love affair with ... More >>

Five Things to Eat and Drink This Weekend

Looking for something to put in your mouth this weekend? We've got you covered. Check out what's on our plate. See also: - Pie Social 2012: All the Sweet Details - Biltmore's Central Bistro Announces Grand Opening Date (It's This Sunday!) Human Rights Campaign's COOK Phoenix The Human Rights Camp ... More >>

May I Now Present the Awards for the Chow Bella Halloween Candy Showdown

The best thing about being the judge for the 2012 Chow Bella Halloween Candy Showdown is, well, being the judge for the 2012 Chow Bella Halloween Candy Showdown. Bring on the sugar rush, Baby. With the challenge being to whip up a dessert incorporating their favorite Halloween candy, my fellow scri ... More >>

Joan O'Connor Makes Mediterranean Pasta Salad

Forks up, Phoenix! Chow Bella and Roosevelt Row present the third annual Pie Social Saturday, November 3rd, from 2 to 6 p.m. on Roosevelt Row in downtown Phoenix. We've got an all-star line up of bakers making pies for you to taste, and from now til Pie Social, we'll introduce them to you, one by on ... More >>

Make Your Own Twix Cheesecake Pie: Chow Bella's Halloween Showdown

Trick... or treat? For the latest Chow Bella showdown, our writers whipped up a dessert reminiscent of, or incorporating, their favorite Halloween candy. Check back all week for recipes; on Friday our critic Laura Hahnefeld will pick her favorite. Today: Katie Johnson's Twix Cheesecake Pie I've n ... More >>

5 Favorite Onion Rings in Metro Phoenix

Oh the onion ring, a staple side dish among burger joints and steak houses alike, but often overshadowed by its potato cousin. While you can get your fix of french fries nearly anywhere in this metropolis, the task of finding onion rings is a little more challenging, which is why we've put together ... More >>

Monti Carlo Makes Banana Bread Muffins

Forks up, Phoenix! Chow Bella and Roosevelt Row present the third annual Pie Social Saturday, November 3rd, from 2 to 6 p.m. on Roosevelt Row in downtown Phoenix. We've got an all-star line up of bakers making pies for you to taste, and from now til Pie Social, we'll introduce them to you, one by on ... More >>

Mamma Toledo Makes Egg Sammies with Horseradish Cheese

Forks up, Phoenix! Chow Bella and Roosevelt Row present the third annual Pie Social Saturday, November 3, from 2 to 6 p.m. on Roosevelt Row in downtown Phoenix. We've got an all-star lineup of bakers making pies for you to taste, and from now til Pie Social, we'll introduce them to you, one by one. ... More >>

Arizona Taco Festival: a Recap of Saturday, a Preview for Sunday

Take note taco-lovers - the Third Annual Arizona Taco Festival is happening this weekend at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick and for those of you that missed the opening day on Saturday, here's a recap of what you missed and what to expect if you make it out on Sunday. See Also: -Third Annual Ar ... More >>

Winnona Herr Makes Butterscotch Bananas Foster Pudding

Forks up, Phoenix! Chow Bella and Roosevelt Row present the third annual Pie Social Saturday, November 3rd, from 2 to 6 p.m. on Roosevelt Row in downtown Phoenix. We've got an all-star line up of bakers making pies for you to taste, and from now til Pie Social, we'll introduce them to you, one by on ... More >>

Eating the Arizona State Fair: Red Velvet Funnel Cake, Gigantic Ribs, Pineapple Lemonade -- and the Hunt for the Cap'n Crunch Hamburger

It's time again for the high holy days of Guilty Pleasures: the Arizona State Fair. Everywhere you look, there's some random foodstuff getting dipped in batter and deep-fried. This year, it seems like the food vendors held back a little bit. Gone were the chocolate-dipped scorpions and mealworm sand ... More >>

Scottsdale's Dine Out with the Chefs

On Sunday the 7th Annual Dine Out with the Chefs went all out as more than 25 of the most talked about restaurants in Metro Phoenix set up shop at the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts. See our complete slideshow from the event. See Also: RoRo Chile Pepper Festival Launches Without a Hat ... More >>

RoRo Chile Pepper Festival Launches Without a Hatch -Er, Hitch.

There was ample attendance at Roosevelt Row's first-ever Chile Pepper Festival on Saturday as chile-loving hipsters, couples, kids, and a surprising amount of dogs enjoyed an evening of food trucks, salsa tastings, restaurant vendors, and live music. See Also: -RoRo's first annual Chile Pepper Fest ... More >>

Campbell's Soup Warhol Cans Spotted Already on Phoenix Target Shelves

Campbell's Soup has created a new strategy to get you to buy their 115-year-old tomato soup. In honor of the 50th anniversary of Andy Warhol's iconic "32 Campbell's Soup Cans," which made its debut in 1962 and currently hangs at the MoMA in New York, Campbell's has teamed up with the Andy Warhol Fou ... More >>

Chow Bella's Top Phoenix Food Stories of the Week

Every week, there's a cornucopia of Phoenix food news, features, and reviews to report here at Chow Bella. If you're like most people, you probably just don't have the time to get to all of it. It's kind of like those burgers at Old Town Whiskey; it just won't all fit in your mouth ... or in this ca ... More >>

Sneak Peek: Sweet Salvage Delivers Treats for Both Your Kitchen and Tastebuds at This Month's Vintage Sale

See also: Big Brain 2012 Finalist Sweet Salvage This week marks the very first birthday of Sweet Salvage and to celebrate, owners Kim Rawlins and Katie Hobbs are going all out with a sale they call Let Them Eat Cake. This four-day event, which starts tomorrow (Thursday) and ends Sunday, is a hybrid ... More >>

BACCHUS MISCHiEF Debuts at After Hours Gallery

On Saturday evening, After Hours Gallery turned into the makeshift home of BACCHUS MISCHiEF, Chef Gabriele Bertaccini's underground wine event. Guests trickled into the jazz-filled entertaining area complete with skyline views, natural lighting, and the il Tocco staff preparing sweet and savory bite ... More >>

11 Favorite Summer Cocktails from Metro Phoenix Restaurants

Toss the gin and tonic. And don't settle for a mediocre margarita. We've got 11 fresh summer cocktails that will have you dreaming of July all year long (really). Bottoms up. Tennessee Peach at Del Frisco's Grille Who doesn't love fresh, juicy peaches in the summer? So just imagine them in a cockta ... More >>

Ten Favorite Cold (and Frozen!) Phoenix Foods

Yeah, yeah, it's hot outside but we're not complaining. We're putting on our rose colored glasses and looking at the brighter side of summer -- we can eat as much ice cream as we want. Okay, maybe we can't (or shouldn't) eat ice cream everyday, but we can try and cool off this summer with cold and ... More >>

Distrito Kicks Off Fourth of July with Barbacoa Tasting Dinner and Prix Fixe Menu

Slow-cooked meats went fast at Chef Jose Garces' Distrito Barbacoa Tasting Dinner Thursday night. The dinner, which was led by Chef Michael Fiorello, Culinary Director for the Garces' Restaurant Group, served as both a barbacoa how-to as well as a preview for the restaurant's upcoming prix fixe di ... More >>

Mixing It Up with AZ Bitters Lab

Bill and Lillian Buitenhuys aren't bitter people. They're bitters people, ardent food lovers whose interests have broadened from food-and-wine pairings to food-and-cocktail pairings to the distinctive components, such as bitters, that go into both classic and craft cocktails. Although the Buitenhu ... More >>

Tuck Shop's Astor House Now Open

How cute is this? Astor House, the new little restaurant right next door to Tuck Shop, the cozy house-turned-eatery in the residential heart of the Coronado District, is now open. Courtesy of owner and architect DJ Fernandez (whose next venture is Vovomeena, a soon-to-open breakfast spot on the s ... More >>

The Seven Oddest Restaurant Bathrooms in Greater Phoenix

Our little band of Chow Bella writers is a diverse group, but we do have a few things in common. We all put our pants on one leg at a time, and we all gotta go. And we've all been to a lot of bathrooms in a lot of restaurants. Some, to put it mildy, offer a better experience than others. We don't wa ... More >>