Kevin Binkley, Searsucker, and Short Leash Hot Dogs Among Winners of the 2013 Foodist Awards

Who’s this year’s master mixologist, top chef, and most outstanding restaurant concept? Last night, the Arizona Restaurant Association (ARA) put a name to them all — as well as a few other categories — at the first-ever Foodist Awards.

See also:
– Big Brain Awards 2013

At a ceremony and dinner at the Ritz Carlton in downtown Phoenix, the ARA, a sponsor of May’s Arizona Restaurant Week, named winners for nine categories of this year’s awards that “showcase the restaurants, companies, and talented people that are the very best in the industry.”

Here’s who came out on top.

Master Mixologist
Aaron Defeo, Casino Del Sol

Outstanding Multiple Location Restaurant
Oregano’s

Top Chef
Chef Justin Beckett, Beckett’s Table

Good Neighbor
Province

Outstanding Restaurant Concept
The Yard

Outstanding Food Truck
Short Leash Hot Dogs

Emerging Restaurant
Searsucker

Uniquely Arizona
El Chorro

Food Pioneer
Chef Kevin Binkley, Binkley’s

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