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 man who's not afraid to express his love for Cadillac Ranch's bacon wontons. Nice.
Tastemaker 28: Clint Spotleson
A multi-generational Scottsdale native, Clint Spotleson began his love affair with the culinary arts as a youngster in his family's kitchen. He started working professionally in kitchens at 16 before moving toward the bar, working in many spots before finding his passion for creating cocktails at Jade Bar at Sanctuary Resort. Currently, he is trying to impart cocktail culture to the masses at Mabel's on Main.
I arrived in Phoenix with... a doctor's cold hands on me crying loudly -- just to make sure everyone in the room knew I had arrived!
If I was sitting down to dinner with six, my five dream dinner companions would be... My mother, Debra, would have to be first. She lit the spark on cooking for me and has been a backbone in my life. She's always very supportive in helping me achieve my goals.
Second would be Jerry Thomas, the "Professor", the godfather of cocktails. The first man to put drink recipes in print. He was the epitome of a bon vivant, a true sportsman to the highest degree. Just to pick his mind and understand his process on cocktails would be unbelievable.
Andy Warhol would have to be in the mix. I always had a strong artistic background and have been a fan of his work for years. Also, a dinner party wouldn't be complete without an eccentric artist at the table!
Jacques Cousteau would have to be another guest. When I was young, I had murals of fishtanks painted on my bedroom walls and always had a deep fascination with the underwater world, in all its richness and beauty. I sometimes regret not paying attention in science class because marine biology would have also been a fulfilling career path.
There are so many friends and family members I'd want in the last seat, its almost impossible to choose. I know Jason Asher, my mentor in the cocktail world as well as a longtime friend, would truly appreciate meeting Jerry Thomas, so as a thank you for all he has contributed to my growth I'd have to invite him.
One place everyone who comes to Phoenix must eat is... Pizzeria Bianco. The food, the smells, the atmosphere -- it's a no-brainer.
One menu item this city could do without is... people wanting a cocktail in a faux copper mug solely because it "looks cool." I have personally coined this epidemic the "Ed Hardy Effect". A Moscow Mule will taste the same -- if made the same -- with or without the mug, people!
My last meal in Phoenix would be... a combination of things, all combined with a cocktail whether it works or not. First, would be this amazing cocktail Micah Olson of Bar Crudo made me with Genever and tea that was so good I forgot everything else in it and instead focused on how mind blowing it was, paired with bacon wontons from Cadillac Ranch. It might be in a mall, but those would be awesome on any menu. Main would be a rare prime rib from Rokerij paired with ANY tiki drink Tyson Buhler from Blue Hound feels like making -- he's never done me wrong. Dessert would have to be Beckett's Table's Bacon S'mores with one of Richie Moe's infamous Fernet Branca milkshakes from Citizen R+D. Life would be complete after that meal.
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
35: Jason Asher
34: Pamela Hamilton
33: Victoria Chavez
32: Giovanni Scorzo
31: Tim Wilson
30: Travis Nass
29: Jason Alford
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