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 Creatives on Jackalope Ranch.
Today: A guy who knows how to mix it up.
Tastemaker 35: Jason Asher
See also: Mixology With Jason Asher of Sanctuary's Jade Bar See also: Noca Re-Opens with New Look, New Breads and New Cocktail Program
Jason Asher is no model, but he did light up the cover of a special edition of GQ back in 2010 when he won the title of Most Inspired Bartender. Nowadays he holds the position of Director of Mixology for Young's Market Company of Arizona. He's been tending bar for more than 15 years and over the last six has been a leader of the mixology march in the Valley. His love and passion for the world of cocktails has helped him achieve great heights such as his GQ title, a spot on the Esquire Top 100 & features in most of the culinary and beverage publications you can find.
I arrived in Phoenix with... a dream of bringing mixology to Arizona through my culinary perspective.
If I was sitting down to dinner for six, my five dream dining companions would be... Anthony Bourdain, Jerry Thomas, Harry Johnson, Nicasio Iannella & Chris Farley!
One place everyone who comes to Phoenix must eat is... Crudo! Amazing food & drinks!
One menu item this city could do without is... prickly pear margarita!
My last meal in Phoenix would be... Tottie's Asian Fusion. The panang curry is amazing!!!
The Tastemakers so far: 100: Tracy Dempsey 99: Craig DeMarco 98: Lara Mulchay 97: M.J. Coe 96: Betty Alatorre de Hong 95: Eric Schaefer 94: Hanna Gabrielsson 93: Shinji Kurita 92: Silvana Salcido Esparza 91: Mike Pitt 90: Christina Barrueta 89: Christopher Gross 88: Jan Wichayanuparp and Helen Yung 87: DJ Fernandes 86: Cullen Campbell 85: Chris Lee 84. Gwen Ashley Walters 83: Tony Morales 82: Lylah Ledner 81: Andrea White 80: Lori Hashimoto 79. Mrs. White 78: Eugenia Theodosopolous 77: Lou & Lovey Borenstein 76: Anthony Patafio 75: Carl Seacat 74: Sacha Levine 73: Sharon Salomon 72: Johnny Chu 71: Susie Timm 70: Jason Silberschlag 69: Gina Miller 68: Cindy Gentry 67: Amy Binkley 66: Dave Anderson 65: Mark Tarbell 64: Marianne Belardi 63: Audrey Lasalle 62: Brandon Gauthier 61: Brad and Kat Moore 60: Denise Clayton 59: Nobuo Fukuda 58: Richie Moe 57: Robin Trick 56: Alberto Della Casa and Letizia de Lucia 55: Farah Khalid 54: Dave Andrea 53: Vincent Guerithault 52: Danielle Leoni 51: Stan Zawatski 50: Maya Dailey 49: Duc Liao 48: Lisa Reinhardt 47: Isam Saed 46: Greg Peterson 45: Marco Bianco 44: Mark Fratu 43: Wendell Crow 42. Barb Harris 41: Michael Perry 40: Jeff Kraus 39: Ryan Avery 38: Charleen Badman 37: Damon Brasch 36: Dwayne Allen
