Payton Curry

Digestif selling homemade charcuterie to go

Eye Candy from Eats3

Next Week: Digestif Hosts Top Chef Stephanie Izard

The torturous thing about watching Bravo's Top Chef is that it tends to leave viewers with insatiable cravings for food that only exists in TV land. You watch the chefs hustle to create a dish, you cheer them on... and then, you go to bed very, very hungry. So here's your chance to actually eat ... More >>

Digestif: Pavle Departs, Payton Gets on Camera

Digestif's chef Payton Curry (left) and GM Pavle Milic hug it out over some fresh mozz at last year's Eats3 Pavle Milic, general manager at Scottsdale's groovy Digestif, was a man with a plan. But in the words of John Lennon, "Life is what happens while you're busy making plans." So al ... More >>

West of Western Culinary Festival

Digestif's chef Payton Curry (left) and GM Pavle Milic hug it out over some fresh mozz at last year's Eats3 Pavle Milic, general manager at Scottsdale's groovy Digestif, was a man with a plan. But in the words of John Lennon, "Life is what happens while you're busy making plans." So al ... More >>

Digestif in Scottsdale serves up absinthe and "Cal-ital food for the soul"

Digestif's chef Payton Curry (left) and GM Pavle Milic hug it out over some fresh mozz at last year's Eats3 Pavle Milic, general manager at Scottsdale's groovy Digestif, was a man with a plan. But in the words of John Lennon, "Life is what happens while you're busy making plans." So al ... More >>

Digestif Moving; Kasperski Selling Restaurant Spaces

Digestif is downsizing. Later this month, chef Payton Curry will be working the display kitchen at the former Sea Saw location on Stetson Drive, pending the sale of restaurateur Peter Kasperski's two SouthBridge restaurant spaces, the current Digestif and the half-finished space that would hav ... More >>

Dine Out with the Chefs Impresses Sophisticated Palates

Last night at the 4th annual Dine Out with the Chefs event at Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, some of the Valley's hottest local chefs came out of their respective restaurant kitchens to cook, serve and wander among us mere mortals. Chef James Porter, whose newly-opened ... More >>

Chef Payton Curry to Leave Digestif for Expanding Caffe Boa

Chef Payton Curry (left) with former Digestif GM Pavle Milic at last year's Eats3​The imminent departure of chef Payton Curry from Digestif is the big news from this weekend.After cooking at the restaurant through the Crave Arizona weekend (October 22 to 24), he'll join Caffe Boa, r ... More >>

This Week In Chow Bella

Another week has come and gone leaving us to ponder the upcoming events that will shape our lives and, more importantly, our dinners out. But before we move on, let's have one last look at the blog posts from this week: Chef Payton Curry to Leave Digestif for Expanding Caffe Boa Chef Talk: Felici ... More >>

Payton Curry Rolls Out New Menu at Caffe Boa

Caffe Boa owner Jay Wisniewski told me that new chef Payton Curry would eventually be changing up the menu at the upscale, wine-centric Tempe restaurant. I guess in Curry's world, "eventually" happens fast. Fresh from his departure from the now-shuttered Digestif, he's already launched a brand-new ... More >>

Chef Payton Curry Hosts Locavore Wine Dinner

A week ago, chef Payton Curry wasted no time in rolling out a totally revamped menu at Tempe's  Caffe Boa, where he just started working a couple weeks ago. Now he's already getting into the swing of special events, with the first of many locavore wine dinners to come. On ... More >>

More on Pavle Milic's FnB, Opening Soon

​The moment Pavle Milic has been waiting for is almost here. If all goes as planned, he'll finally be opening his own restaurant, called FnB, sometime around the 23rd of this month. That's not even two weeks away, and Milic couldn't be more excited.

New Urban Garden Ready to Launch in Downtown Tempe

Downtown Tempe's getting a little greener thanks to a new Urban Garden designed to provide fresh produce to local chefs and residents. The project's helmed by Caffe Boa owners Jay and Christine Wisniewski, head chef Payton Curry and the Phoenix Permaculture Guild. Curry, who's been a champion of the ... More >>

Chef Talk: Payton Curry, Caffe Boa

Nicki Escudero Payton Curry​Thanks to Payton Curry, the 30-year-old executive chef at Caffe Boa, the Valley's dining scene is becoming more local-oriented due to his "locavore" approach. And to think that he almost didn't make the move to the Valley. "I was scared shitless," Curry say ... More >>

Chef Talk: Payton Curry's Fall Panzanella Salad and Spezzatini of Pork

At Caffe Boa, executive chef Payton Curry (whom we profiled yesterday in Chef Talk) uses farm-fresh, local ingredients in his dishes, and these two recipes are no exception. The Fall Panzanella Salad features products that are in season right now, so if you want the freshest dish available, hea ... More >>

Sweetbreads at Tempe's Caffe Boa

​ For my dad's annual visit to Arizona last weekend, I wanted to take him out to a nice dinner at someplace where the food would be great and the atmosphere would be comfortable -- anything too trendy wouldn't suit him one bit. So we hit up Caffe Boa in Tempe, which I've always liked (and wh ... More >>

So Much for Tutto . . .

No photos to share right now, dear readers, just a little rant. The other night I ended up eating dinner at Tutto, the Italian restaurant that Joseph Gutierrez opened in the space that used to be Digestif. I didn't have an agenda, per se -- just was curious to try a few things. In short, I really mi ... More >>

Downtown Tempe Urban Garden Debuts Tomorrow

An illustration of what the garden will look like, from partner GreenZona.​At some point in the future, it's slated to become a Marriott Hotel, but for now, an empty lot in the middle of downtown Tempe is getting a new life as the Downtown Tempe Urban Garden, a community food source operate ... More >>

Chandler Barbeque Throwdown, Tommy Lasorda at Whole Foods and Homemade Peeps in Today's Eater's Digest

An early morning serving of food news, with no preservatives or additives. ​ The first annual Downtown Barbecue Throwdown in Chandler is goin' down this Saturday March 20th from 10 a.m. till 9 p.m. The Throwdown is billed as a fierce competition where pros as well as amateur chefs will com ... More >>

In the Raw: Local Chefs Get Naked for Charity

Nice, um, cucumber!A friend showed me his copy of the new In the Raw calendar, and what can I say? It's pretty ballsy.Ken and Lee Singh are the charming couple who run the all-natural Singh Farms -- a 20-acre wonderland where their composting efforts have created nutrient-rich soil for fresh veggies ... More >>

Chef du Moo Farm Dinners coming to Superstition Farm

Jess Harter Superstition Farm owner Casey Stechnij and chef Jennifer Johnson. ​East Valley chefs Jennifer Johnson and Payton Curry will team up for the next two dinners in the monthly Chef du Moo series at Superstition Farm in southeast Mesa. This month's four-course, farm-to-table feast, ... More >>

Payton Curry on Mom's Chicken Soup and "Yo Yo" Dinners

​Executive Chef Payton Curry of The Original Caffe Boa on MillAve. and Caffe Boa Bistro is best known for championing the farm-to-tabledining philosophy in Arizona. What is the best dish your mother ever made? My mother makes the world's greatest chicken noodle soup. It's something that I cr ... More >>

Local Chefs Teach Free Cooking Classes at Whole Foods

Payton Curry of Caffe Boa is one of nine local chefs teaching free classes.​Saturdays this summer are about to get a lot more interesting thanks to area Whole Foods stores. Various locations in the Valley will be included in the Summer Chef Series, which features a head-turning r ... More >>

29: Payt-N-Bake Chicken at Caffe Boa

​Hungry yet? We're working up our appetites for our huge Best of Phoenix issue, out September 30, with daily servings of Chow Bella's 100 Favorite Dishes from across the Valley -- in no particular order Leave your suggestions for upcoming favorites in the comments section. Visit our sister b ... More >>

Caffe Boa's Delicious Mangalitsa Head Cheese

​Oh, Payton Curry, you rocked my taste buds last night. The Caffe Boa chef didn't know I was joining a friend for an off-menu culinary stealth mission at the Tempe eatery, but he nevertheless got creative and it showed, both in presentation and flavor. Dinner started off with ... More >>

Caffe Boa Serves Reindeer Tasting Menu for the Holidays

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is about to land on your dinner plate, not your rooftop.​It wasn't enough to eat the Easter Bunny. Now Caffe Boa chef Payton Curry is ready to cook Rudolph for Christmas dinner.That's right, he'll be serving a six-course holiday tasting menu featuring caribou -- a.k. ... More >>

Payton Curry Plays Reindeer Games

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is about to land on your dinner plate, not your rooftop.​It wasn't enough to eat the Easter Bunny. Now Caffe Boa chef Payton Curry is ready to cook Rudolph for Christmas dinner.That's right, he'll be serving a six-course holiday tasting menu featuring caribou -- a.k. ... More >>

Payton Curry Serves Rudolph

​If you don't like eating things with a face (or a shiny, red nose) you may want to steer clear of this week's feature story on local celebrity chef and controversy enthusiast Payton Curry. This holiday, Curry's got reindeer on the menu. Don't tell the kiddies. Food Critic Michele Laudig on P ... More >>

Local Restaurant Peeps' Predictions for 2011

What cuts of meat will you be eating in 2011?​Helen Yung, Sweet Republic co-ownerI think it'll be the year of gourmet food trucks. It started this year but will make a huge jump in 2011, with well-regarded restaurants joining the game.Craig DeMarco, Postino ownerMy short list: ... More >>

Lion Meat is Back on the Plate in Arizona

Hold your picket signs, people. The folks at Mesa's Il Vinaio are not serving lion meat again. After last year's uproar, when owner Cameron Selogie started serving lion burgers as a special for the World Cup (um, do they really even eat lion in South Africa?), the restaurant started getting pr ... More >>

Chef Payton Curry Says Farewell to Caffe Boa

Jamie PeacheyChef Payton Curry was the talk of the town with his Christmas "reindeer menu."​After nearly a year and a half as executive chef at Tempe's Caffe Boa and Mesa's Caffe Boa Bistro, chef Payton Curry is leaving to launch his own restaurant."I want to do what Charleen Badman's doing, and w ... More >>

Can Caffe Boa Survive Without Its Celeb Chef?

​ ​It was big news the other day when chef Payton Curry -- one of the Valley's better known culinary rock stars, who even has groupies -- announced his departure from Caffe Boa/Boa Bistro. It got a lot of people gabbing about how well Boa would fare in his wake. Can the place survive ... More >>

This Bites

​ ​It was big news the other day when chef Payton Curry -- one of the Valley's better known culinary rock stars, who even has groupies -- announced his departure from Caffe Boa/Boa Bistro. It got a lot of people gabbing about how well Boa would fare in his wake. Can the place survive ... More >>

Sunday: Guerilla Gourmet and a Mystery Restaurant Debut at Devoured

Reindeer's not in season now, so Payton Curry's working with Berkshire pork.​Two newcomers to the dining scene will make a splash at Devoured this Sunday, tipping the anticipation scales to the culinary festival's second day. Few details are available yet -- like, a name? a location? a ch ... More >>

Friday at Devoured: Palette to Palate

Roasted Corn Cocktail and Shrimp Ceviche from the Barrio Cafe​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) ... More >>

Sunday at Devoured: Payton Curry, Bite Me Brownies and the Latest Pop-Up

Erica O'NeilPayton Curry, former head chef of Caffe Boa, chats with current head chef Matt Smith during the sausage grinding demonstration at Devoured. ​Devoured is history for another year -- and we're full.We got started early Sunday morning. We highly recommend this method as a solid way to go ... More >>

March 23 In Blogs: Arizona Boycott, Kate Benjamin, Sharon Van Etten, Payton Curry, and Conservatives

​​​In the 24-hour news cycle, it can be difficult to keep up. We have the solution. Check back on Valley Fever every evening for highlights from each of New Times' blogs. Today's entries:

This Week In Chow Bella

Another week has come and gone leaving us to ponder the upcoming events that will shape our lives and, more importantly, our dinners out. But before we move on, let's have one last look at the blog posts from this week. Coming Soon: Payton Curry's "Curry-ousity" Food Nerd Alert! Oxford English Dic ... More >>

Pavle Milic, Ty Largo and Other PHX Foodies Fight Fat

girlgetstrong.com ​Dieting -- much like pimpin' -- ain't easy. When you make the decision to cut back on, say, cheeseburgers, it seems like that's all you see. Every commercial on TV features the glorious sizzle of a patty mid-grill; every billboard tempts you with glistening lettuce and tom ... More >>

Follow Friday: Three Phoenix Chefs You Need to Follow on Twitter

briansolis.com​Have you ever walked into a restaurant, eaten a completely fantastic meal (or a really lousy one, for that matter) and wondered what kind of person made it?  What kind of chef are they? Do they have a sense of humor, would they give you cooking tips, or is that person a ... More >>

Payton Curry, What Are You Listening To?

Payton Curry​Payton J. CurryThe chef recently launched a pop-up concept at the Welcome Diner. When you put your key in the ignition and turn on the radio, what station would play right now? Cat Power Radio. It's been one of those weeks for me. I don't do radio at all. What's the last song played ... More >>

CLOSED: Caffe Boa Bistro

​Well, it ain't due to any health inspection issues. Caffe Boa Bistro, the Italian-inspired eatery in the Las Sendras Plaza in Mesa, has closed for business. A spin-off the the original location in Tempe (both are owned by Jay and Christine Wisniewski, and the Tempe spot was once home to loc ... More >>

New Chef Competition Show for Bravo Now Casting: Will Valley Chefs Represent?

Attention Valley chefs: Time to pull out the can of whoop-ass for a potential new TV series.​Payton Curry, step it up. Bernie Kantak, I'm callin' you out. Silvana Salcido Esparza, time to kick some ass. Seems as if the producers of the Emmy award-winning Top Chef are putting together a potent ... More >>

Caffe Boa Owner Jay Wisniewski Says, "You Don't Need a Big-Name Chef to Have a Great Restaurant"

Owners Jay and Christine Wisniewski of Caffe Boa​Update: After this piece was published, Wisniewski called to clarify that Payton Curry wasn't overpaid, but was getting expensive. Charleen Badman, Bernie Kantak, Silvana Salcido Esparza -- who needs 'em? Jay Wisniewski, owner of Caffe Boa, th ... More >>

Payton Curry Says Caffe Boa's Challenge is High Turnover, Not His Name -- Explains Why He Left Tempe Restaurant

paytoncurry.com​Last week, Caffe Boa owner Jay Wisniewski said local celebu-chef Payton Curry, Caffe Boa's executive chef for a year and a half, was "getting expensive" after business started to decline at the Tempe location -- and that there was a "backlash" among diners who, in addition to ... More >>

Gina Buskirk's Perfect Food Day

Photo courtesy Gina Buskirk​Gina Buskirk started Gina's Homemade in 2010 with her husband, Christopher Buskirk. You might have seen her delectable foods at the Old Town Farmer's Market or Whole Foods. If you don't know, Gina's Homemade is where you can get creamy, oozy artisinal cheeses, loa ... More >>

The Desert Botanical Garden Gets a New Restaurant and Chef Payton Curry

​paytoncurry.comChef Payton Curry​Like a present inside of a present, the Valley's getting two amazing announcements for the holidays this year. The Republic reports the Desert Botanical Garden is opening a full-fledged restaurant with a focus on local fare and the chef leading the cuis ... More >>

Five Awkward Moments in the Phoenix Food Scene, 2011

  http://www.etsy.com/shop/missive Let's pick 2011 apart, shall we?​Well, folks, 2011 has come and (just about) gone and we're left to chew the fat. It was a year filled with great new restaurants and some fun moments -- and some awkward ones, too. Let's look back on a few high l ... More >>

Laura Hahnefeld's Year in Food: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Beckett's Table joined in the pie craze of 2011.​In addition to food trucks making the scene in a big way in 2011 (see the article here), the year in food for the Valley was chock-full of other newsworthy goodies as well -- even chef Payton Curry managed to slip in a last-minute announcement.  ... More >>