The Michelin Group

Gorgona: Wine Produced at Italian Island Jail Destined for Tables at High-End Restaurants

If we had to go to jail, we'd definitely want it to be the one located on the Italian island of Gorgona, the smallest in a chain that includes both Elba (where Napoleon was incarcerated) and the setting for The Count of Monte Cristo. That's because at this jail, convicts recently produced 2,700 bo ... More >>

Chefs, What's Your Favorite Food City?

Welcome to Chow Bella's Bites & Dishes, where Valley chefs and restaurateurs respond to a question New Times food critic Laura Hahnefeld has on her mind. Have a question you'd like to ask? E-mail laura.hahnefeld@newtimes.com. It's tough not to talk travel without talking about food -- especially whe ... More >>

Former Kai Guy Michael O'Dowd on What He's Up to at Renegade by MOD and the Problem with Comfort Food

Michael O'Dowd Renegade by MOD 9343 E. Shea Blvd., Scottsdale 480-614-9400 See also: -- Ex Kai Chef Michael O'Dowd Opens Renegade by MOD in Scottsdale this Friday This is part one of my interview with Michael O'Dowd, executive chef and co-owner of Renegade by MOD. Come back Tuesday when O'Dowd dis ... More >>

For Food/Science Nerds: Molecular Gastronomy Kits from Albert and Ferran Adrià of elBuli

Presenting the right gift for at-home chefs who've mastered the art of the souffle and can turn out a perfect paella with one hand tied behind their backs: the Easy Kit, your guide to molecular gastronomy techniques including spherification, gelification and even suspension. See also: - Home Edit ... More >>

What Is the Role of the Food Critic?

Welcome to Chow Bella's Bites & Dishes, where Valley chefs and restaurateurs respond to a question New Times food critic Laura Hahnefeld has on her mind. Have a question you'd like to ask? E-mail laura.hahnefeld@newtimes.com.Writer, analyst, restaurant rater? To the reader, the job of a food critic ... More >>

Is the Michelin Guide Still Relevant?

Over a century old, the Michelin Guide, the star-ratings restaurant guide paid for by the French tire company, is arguably the best-known on the planet. See also: - What Are the Pros and Cons of Food Festivals? - What Are Three Cooking Skills Everyone Should Know? But recently, the guide has taken ... More >>

Robatayaki Dinner at Roka Akor in Scottsdale: Surf, Turf, and a Charcoal Grill

It's not impossible to find good seafood in the Valley but there are certainly times that we feel the inconvenience of being in the middle of the desert. The distance from the coast, however, hasn't stopped many an adventurous restaurateur or chef from setting up shop around here. It also hasn't s ... More >>

Charleen Badman: On Lori Hashimoto, Chris Bianco's Mom, and the Kitchen Phrase That Gets Under Her Skin

Charleen Badman FnB 7125 East Fifth Avenue, Suite 31, Scottsdale 480-284-4777, www.fnbrestaurant.com See also: -- Charleen Badman and Pavle Milic to Open FnB on Craftsman Court on Tuesday -- FnB's Charleen Badman Tells Food & Wine Her Favorite Places to Eat, Shop and Sleep in the Valley -- 15 Met ... More >>

Berlin Discoveries: Greatness Emerges at the Year's First Major Film Festival

Joshua Johnson of Kai Dishes on Antelope Liver and Working for a Celebrity Chef

Joshua Johnson Kai at Wild Horse Pass Resort & Spa 5594 W. Wildhorse Pass Boulevard, Chandler 602-225-0100 www.wildhorsepass.com See also: -- Todd Sicolo Dishes on Grant Achatz and His Short-Lived Las Vegas Marriage -- Conor Favre Leaves Arizona Biltmore for Wild Horse Pass Resort & Spa This is ... More >>

Joe Arpaio's Jails Off Limits to Federal Immigration Detainees, John Morton Tells Bill Montgomery

ICE honcho John Morton, back when the two guys to the left were still in office...In case Sheriff Joe Arpaio missed the gist of the fiat handed down Thursday by U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano ending Arpaio's 287(g) jails agreement, John Morton, Director of U.S. Immigrati ... More >>

"My Sweet Mexico" -- A Guide to Making Mexican Desserts

​Following in the footsteps of Diana Kennedy, known as the Julia Child of Mexican cuisine, and Rick Bayless, celebrity chef and restaurateur, New York City-based chef Fany Gerson brings together history and culture and in her collection of authentic Mexican dulces recipes in My Sweet Mexic ... More >>

Jared Porter of The Parlor, Part Two

Courtesy of Jared Porter​Yesterday we began our conversation with Chef Jared Porter of The Parlor and today the conversation continues beginning with what pushes this chef's buttons. An allergy to olive oil...Come on, really? What pushes my buttons? Special instructions, allergies. It sound ... More >>

Kings of Pastry Is the Cream Puff of Docs

Aurore de Beauduy of Vogue Bistro, Part Two

Photo courtesy of Chef Aurore de Beauduy. Chef Aurore de Beauduy ​Yesterday we ran Part One of our Chef Talk with Chef Aurore de Beauduy of Vogue Bistro. Trained at France's Le Cordon Bleu, Chef Aurore not only learned a lot about cooking, but also about the ins and outs of the industry --& ... More >>

Phallic Foods and Other Tasty Treats at the Arizona Renaissance Festival

If you've been to the Arizona Renaissance Festival before, you know how the shows work. Most are wholesome, family-friendly entertainment: comedic storytellers, singing nuns, a prankster hypnotist. Then there are the shows labeled LC for "Loose Cannon" -- i.e. bring the kiddies at the risk ... More >>

Behind the Bar: Dave Johnson at Sol y Sombra

Lauren Gilger Dave Johnson behind the bar at Sol y Sombra.In case you were wondering: Gin was the first flavored vodka; the word "sommelier" originally meant "keeper of pack animals;" and organic spirits will be the next big wave in designer drinks. Oh, and Grey Goose is not any better than a ... More >>

Michelin Tires Whacked by Arizona and Other States in Alleged Ad Scam

There's a lot of baloney riding on their tires.Michelin North America is being forced to cough up $375,000 -- of which Arizona gets $22,500 -- because of ads that claimed its tires were fuel-efficient. The company was sued by 17 state attorney generals, including Terry Goddard.

This just in: Chef Matt McLinn heads to Pointe in Tyme

Caged Heat

Rage in the Cage promoter Roland Sarria lets loose the Valley's modern-day gladiators

The Pain Event

Homer Moore's got the rage, Celebrity Theatre has the cage

MOUTH OF THE BORDER

THE HIGH-END THE MIGHTY