Chef Christine Boerner of The Baker’s Daughter, Part Two

In recognition of Valentine’s Day we’re talking with chocolatier and pastry chef, Christine Boerner of The Baker’s Daughter. Yesterday she gave us a peek into how she prepares for V-Day and today we get schooled about how you go from cacao bean…to chocolate dream. So, how do you make chocolate?…

Ten Favorite Phoenix Food Trucks

Since the first food truck festival rolled into Phoenix last October, it seems that nothing – not stupidly long lines, not inflated prices, not a complete and utter lack of organization, truly NOTHING – can stop the flood of food trucks and food truck festivals from saturating the Valley with…

Chef Christine Boerner of The Baker’s Daughter

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and whether you’re in love or so far out of it you can hardly stand the sight of another heart-shaped anything, the holiday does bring all people together around one thing. No, we’re nothing talking about those warm, fuzzy feelings. We’re talking about…

Strawberry Shortcake at Durant’s

When a reader recently suggested checking out Durant’s Strawberry Shortcake, our first reaction was skepticism. However, there’s quite a buzz about this dessert online, and Durant’s has been a local hit since the ’50s.

Three Cider/Beer Cocktails

​Yesterday we discussed Miller Coors’ recent buyout of Crispin Cider as well as Anheuser Busch’s foray into the apple wine category. Cider is growing in popularity for a reason — it’s great on its own — but it can also play very well with others. Like Batman and Superman, cider…

Good Bagels in Unlikely Places: Hot Bagels & Deli

Many East Coast transplants in the Valley might argue that getting a decent bagel in Phoenix is difficult, if not impossible, to find. Then there are others who say Hot Bagels & Deli comes pretty damn close. Hot Bagels & Deli, the little breakfast and lunch spot with three locations…

10 More Valentine’s Day Dinner Ideas

For all of you procrastinators out there, we’ve dug up 10 more Valley restaurants that would love you to dine with them on Valentine’s Day. (Here’s our original list.)This is it though. There isn’t going to be anymore help after this. So make a decision and make reservations. You don’t…

Cider’s Growth has Big Beer Jumping on the Bandwagon

​Cider is so hot right now. On Monday, Miller Coors craft/import division Tenth & Blake purchased Minneapolis, Minn.-based Crispin Cider. The deal also includes Fox Barrel Cider Company, a Crispin affiliate that produces multiple varieties of pear cider. Not to be outdone, Anheuser-Busch announced in a memo to distributors that…

Director Werner Herzog’s 30 Second Take on Chickens

Werner Herzog on Chickens from Tom Streithorst on Vimeo. Hey Werner Herzog, famous German film director, why don’t you tell us what you really think about chickens? I found this video over on the Tosh.0 blog (I don’t know how I ended up there. I swear I have been doing…

AndyTalk: Use More Pepper

Traditionally, white pepper is used in white or pastel foods to avoid seeing little black specks. The French hate seeing those little flecks in their bisque.

Arizona Needs a State Food, I Say Let’s Give It One.

Next Tuesday, February 14, Arizona celebrates 100 years of statehood. So where are the eats? The official state food eats? Sadly, there’s not one to be found. Which is why, after this long, it’s time to get hungry for an official state food. Here’s an excerpt from my column in…

Let’s Make it Official: Arizona Needs a State Food

You would think that after 100 years of statehood, Arizona would have gotten hungry enough to give itself an official food. Nope. Today, the only state symbol you might want to eat is the state fish, the Apache trout. But given its listing as threatened under the Endangered Species Act…

Paintings Created with Salt and Spice Are Very Nice

If the most creative thing you’ve done with your seasonings lately is re-organize your spice rack, get an eyeful of artist Kelly McCollam’s works created using salt, spices, and food coloring. The Ohio-based McCollam is primarily a fine art photographer, but took a step out of her comfort zone to…

Windsor to Debut Brunch Menu and Bloody Mary Bar

As if the stars were aligning to ensure at least one of my predictions for the Valley food scene actually comes true, Windsor, the cozy North Central neighborhood bar and restaurant from restaurateurs Craig DeMarco and Lauren Bailey, has announced it will debut its very own brunch menu — which…