Matt Carter

Best of The Fest: The Scottsdale Culinary Festival's Grand Finale with Ten Chefs, Twenty Tables and Tons of Food

From cocktail-centric celebrations to a wine country brunch, there was no shortage of events for the food lover during last week's Scottsdale Culinary Festival. One final event ended the week with a bang last night at the Scottsdale Hyatt Regency, an intimate dinner experience to showcase the talent ... More >>

Here's Who's Been Nominated for the 2013 Arizona Culinary Hall of Fame

For over twenty years, the Scottsdale Culinary Festival and the Scottsdale League for the Arts have been presenting the Arizona Culinary Hall of Fame awards, where the best chefs, restaurateurs, and beverage masters in the state have secured a place in culinary history. See also: - Chef Kevin Binkl ... More >>

Jared Porter of The Parlor on Vincent Guerithault and Working in Michael DeMaria's Kitchen

This is part two of my interview with Jared Porter, executive chef of The Parlor. If you missed part one, where Porter dished about cooking with chemicals and the problem with foodies, read it here. See also: -- Aaron Chamberlin Dishes on Daniel Boulud, Jean-Georges and What He Learned at LGO -- Cl ... More >>

Jared Porter of The Parlor on Cooking with Chemicals and Eating "The People's Food"

Jared Porter The Parlor 1916 East Camelback Road 602-248-2480 www.theparlor.us See also: The Parlor Offers Nose-to-Tail Dinners Wednesday Through Saturday Starting February 6 Gallo Blanco's Doug Robson Opens New Mexican Restaurant in Phoenix This is part one of my interview with Jared Porter, exe ... 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.

6 Don't-Miss Events During AZ Cocktail Week: Feb 16-22

I've said it before and I'll say it again. Phoenix is becoming a bona-fide food-town, "becoming" (present progressive) being the operative word. Exhibit A, for your consideration: the second annual Arizona Cocktail Week, a seven-day series of boozy events -- some educational, others not so much -- b ... More >>

7 Favorite Romantic Restaurants in Greater Phoenix: Cozy Home Edition

When it comes to romantic restaurants, there's something about those set in refurbished old homes that makes them more charming, more interesting in their history, and more full of character than the rest. See also: - 14 More Valley Places to Wine and Dine Your Honey Bun on Valentine's - 5 Sweet ... More >>

Doug Robson Dishes On Why Tacos Are Great and What It's Like to Eat Bugs and Worms

Doug Robson Gallo Blanco Café, The Clarendon Hotel 401 W. Clarendon Avenue, Phoenix 602-274-4774 www.galloblancocafe.com See also: -- Gallo Blanco's Doug Robson to Open New (and Slightly Different) Mexican Restaurant in March -- 8 Best Neighborhood Mexican Restaurants: Best of Phoenix 2012 This ... More >>

Milagro Grill Still Going Through Growing Pains in Arcadia

Milagro Grill Still Going Through Growing Pains in Arcadia

The 10 Best Things I Ate in 2012

Top 5 Food Predictions for Phoenix in 2013

As another culinary year approaches, it's time to once again gaze into the crystal ball to predict the Valley's food trends for 2013. See also: Chefs, What Will the Top Food Trends for Phoenix Be in 2013? It's no secret that our food scene is slow to hop aboard the rest of the country's gastronom ... More >>

The 10 Best Things I Ate in 2012

As 2012 comes to a close, it's time to look back on some of the most all-around stellar meals I had the pleasure of consuming in the Valley. See also: - 9 Best New Restaurants of 2012 in Greater Phoenix - 10 (Okay, 11) Best First Tastes of 2012 in Greater Phoenix From the fancy to the more famili ... More >>

9 Best New Restaurants of 2012 in Greater Phoenix

This year, the variety of new restaurants in the Valley has more breadth and depth than ever before: comfort-food-meets-gourmet in Scottsdale; artisan pizzas by a legendary baker in Central Phoenix; and knockout Italian eats in east Mesa. When I made this list, I wanted a selection of restaurants ... More >>

Milagro Grill: Happy Hour Report Card

The Spot: Milagro Grill 4280 E. Indian School Road, #101, Phoenix 602-773-5844 www.milagrogrillaz.com See also: - Macayo's Family Makes Good at Arcadia's Milagro Grill - Chimi Challenge: Macayo's vs. El Molino Hours: Happy Hour is offered 3:30-6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

12 Favorite Places to Eat Outdoors in Greater Phoenix

At last! Blissfully cool mornings, evenings with a hint of chill and daytime temps that mean we can lunch on a shaded patio without swimming in sweat. This right here, this seasonal slice of heaven is why we endure traffic, tourists and summer. See also: 10 Favorite Places for Pozole in Greater Ph ... More >>

18 Fall Food Festivals in Metro Phoenix

It's safe. You can come out now. It's September. And while temperatures may still hover uncomfortably for a bit, we feel fall in the air -- and that means outdoor festivals with lots to eat and drink. So get out your calendar (or your smart phone) and jot down the dates for these must-do events. And ... More >>

Craft Beer and "Craft Salmon" at T. Cook's Alaskan Beer Dinner Last Night

See also: Craft Beer of the Week: Schneider Aventinus Weizenbock T. Cook's at the Royal Palms Resort invited guests to an Alaskan Beer pairing dinner last night, in what it hopes will be the first in a series of beer pairings to run throughout the fall and winter. The evening featured a variety of ... More >>

Mexican-American Fusion Restaurant Coming to Arcadia

"I grew up in Arcadia, and went to Arcadia High School, so this location just felt right." That's Reed Johnson, owner of Milagro Grill, a new Mexican-American fusion restaurant planned to open in mid-August at 4280 East Indian School Road, at the corner of a strip mall and in the former home of Joe ... More >>

98: Lara Mulchay

From now 'til we publish the 2012 edition of Best of Phoenix, New Times and Chow Bella present 100 Tastemakers -- Valley residents who make the cut in our culinary scene. Some you'll know; for others, it'll be a first introduction (but likely not the last). While you're here, check out our 100 Creat ... More >>

How the Valley's Legendary Restaurants Keep Up With the Times

Big Earl's BBQ Fills Opening Left by Morales with Ex-Mission Chef

Jackie Mercandetti​Looks like Big Earl's BBQ, chef James Porter's home of "old school 'Q" in Old Town Scottsdale has found a replacement for Tony Morales, their pitmaster since January who left last week to focus on Desert Smoke BBQ, his business of signature sauces and spice rubs. Chef James ... More >>

Rain or Shine, Scottsdale Culinary Festival Heavy on the Pour

We did not love Macayo's, despite Scottsdale Culinary Festival's subliminal marketing ploy. ​Another year of Scottsdale Culinary Festival events has come and gone. We sampled the fare at the 33rd Annual Great Arizona Picnic, watched the wine flow at Cooks & Corks, and took the opportuni ... More >>

Alex Padilla of Taberna, Part Two

Keyon Fareghi​Yesterday we spoke with Alex Padilla of Taberna Mexicana and today our conversation continues... Honduran-born Padilla is notably health-conscious -- nothing on Taberna's menu is smothered in cheese and rice and beans are not automatic. Padilla tells us he is ap ... More >>

Canteen Modern Tequila Makes Mill Ave a Grown-Up Destination

Luis Millan of Canteen Modern Tequila Bar, Part Two

Chef Luis Millan of Canteen Modern Tequila Bar fuses together his Mexican heritage, French cooking techniques, Spanish food adoration and Arizona kitchen experience to create really interesting dishes with international flair.

Battle of the Dumplings: Moira vs. Nine05

Let me guess: when you're looking for comfort food, Asian cuisine doesn't exactly pop to the top of the list. While yummy, sushi lacks the warm, tummy-nurturing sensation that comes with mac n' cheese or Aunt Sally's meatloaf. But there are a few Asian dishes that easily calm frazzled ... More >>

Thomas Keller Comes to Kierland

sloane burwell​ Cookbook fans and foodies alike crowded Sur La Table at Kierland Commons Wednesday afternoon as more than 200 people waited in line to meet award winning chef Thomas Keller, who was on hand to sign his new cookbook, Ad Hoc At Home. Keller is famous for his meticulou ... More >>

Christopher Gross' Chef's Tour: A Recap

Sloane BurwellJames Porter gets Aaron May's autograph. After this weekend, it's time to replace "party like a rockstar" with "drink like a chef." Friday night is a bit of a blur for most (if not all) of the participants in a Chef's Tour of central downtown Phoenix restaurants (yes, and bars) dreamed ... More >>

Is cuisine an artform?

Second Helpings