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 woman who's a favorite with the college set.
Tastemaker 55: Farah Khalid
See also: Farah Khalid of Curry Corner See also: Curry Corner Spices Up Tempe with Indo-Pakistani Cuisine
Farah Khalid opened her first restaurant, the Cooper Kettle, in Mesa almost ten years ago. Since then she's moved down to Tempe and while you might not expect to find authentic Indo-Pakistani food in an area mostly dedicated to cheap college eats, Curry Corner draws diners of all ages -- and keep them coming back for more. Khalid's dedication to her customers has allowed her to build a great rapport with her community; she looks forward to seeing new faces in the future.
I arrived in Phoenix with... my son and daughter in 2000, with uncertainty about whether my business would work or not.
If I was sitting down to dinner for six, my five dream dining companions would be... the president of United States; the founder of Pakistan, Muhammad Ali Jinnah; Imran Khan, cricketer/politician; Martin Luther King; and Harrison Ford.
One place everyone who comes to Phoenix must eat is... Persian Room.
One menu item this city could do without is... Red velvet cake from LoLo's Chicken and Waffles.
My last meal in Phoenix would be... Garlic Shrimp from Babbo Italian Eatery.
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
