Nirvana Food and Wine Festival, Sweets Con and Desserts Expo, and More in Metro Phoenix This Week From Monday, April 24, to Sunday, April 30

From the inaugural Nirvana Food and Wine Festival to a dessert expo in Peoria, check out the best things to eat and drink in metro Phoenix this week.

By Teresa Traverse

April 24, 2017

Courtesy of Sweets Con and Dessert Expo

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Nirvana Food & Wine Festival

Nirvana Food & Wine Festival
Thursday, April 27, to Sunday, April 30

Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain in Paradise Valley is hosting the first-ever Nirvana Food Festival, which will feature four days of culinary events. The festivities kick off on Thursday with Torch, as eight mixologists compete to make the best drinks. Attendees on Friday can enjoy a fried chicken and Champagne dinner and a Master of Taste event that showcases wines from Caymus Vineyards. Guests can sample food from 12 different restaurants at Best of the West event on Saturday and a New Orleans Jazz & Bourbon Brunch on Sunday. Ticket prices vary and start at $85 per person. For more information, visit Nirvana Food & Wine Festival's website.

Facebook/Arizona Museum of Natural History

Beer N Bones
Friday, April 28

On Friday, the Arizona Museum of Natural History in Mesa is hosting its annual Beer N Bones fundraiser that combines the worlds of craft beer and science. Try craft beer from local spots like the Wren House Brewing Co., Uncle Bear's Brewery, and McFate Brewing. You also can meet experts in paleontology and archaeology and play games like Beer Bingo. The event is from 7 to 11 p.m. General admission tickets cost $15 each or $20 at the door. Each ticket purchase includes your first beverage. Advanced ticket sales online ends on Thursday, April 27, at 5 p.m. For more information, visit Beer N Bones' Eventbrite page.

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Courtesy of Sweets Con and Dessert Expo

Sweets Con and Desserts Expo
Saturday, April 29

If you've got a sweet tooth, consider heading to the Sweets Con and Desserts Expo for a celebration of all things sugary. Enjoy cookies, candy, ice cream, and all sorts of goodies at this expo from spots like Lulu's Sorbetto, Sugar Plum Froyo, and Antigo Cakes. Attendees also can look forward to demos and decorating competitions. General admission tickets cost $25 per person. The expo is from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Peoria Sports Complex. For more information, visit Sweets Con and Desserts Expo's website.

Half Off Poke at Ahipoki Bowl
Saturday, April 29

The poke trend continues in Phoenix. Ahipoki Bowl's newest location on Seventh Avenue and McDowell Road opened on Thursday, April 20, and the store is celebrating by giving patrons half off on Saturday, April 29. Enjoy your choice of rice or salad topped with raw seafood. For more information, visit Ahipoki Bowl's website.

Try out traditional Syrian sweets like the pictured mamoul — shortbread pastries filled with dates, pistachios or walnuts — at the Syrian Sweets Exchange on Sunday, April 30.

Flickr/joefoodie, https://www.flickr.com/photos/montage_man/

Syrian Sweets Exchange
Sunday, April 30

Make your way over to Congregation Beth Israel of AZ in Scottsdale to try homemade Syrian sweets and Turkish coffee on Sunday. According to the event's Facebook page, "all proceeds go directly to the families of the bakers to help them support their families. The ultimate goal is for these refugees to find employment in the baking industry or start their home bakery business." The exchange is from 1 to 3 p.m. For more information, visit the Syrian Sweets Exchange's website.

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