Lunch & Learn at Sanctuary on Camelback: Here's the 2015 Schedule for Chef Beau MacMillan's Annual Series

Later this month, Phoenix's own Food Network star chef Beau MacMillan will kick off the annual Lunch & Learn series at Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain in Paradise Valley. The dining series, now in its 14th year, consists of lunches and dinners throughout the summer and into the fall, with each event featuring a guest chef or other culinary expert. 

This year's lineup includes appearances from top bartender Jillian Vose of Dead Rabbit in New York City and English celebrity chef Robert Irvine from shows such as Dinner: Impossible, Worst Cooks in America, Restaurant: Impossible, and Restaurant Express.

Here's the schedule of events: 

Saturday, July 18 – Summer Supper (dinner)
Executive Chef Beau MacMillan welcomes his mentor Chef Jeff Jackson to kick off the 2015 Lunch & Learn series. Chef Jackson has mastered his own trademark style of market driven seasonal cooking based on sound craftsmanship. He will create a beautiful four-course Summer Supper featuring ingredients from California’s finest organic farms, orchids and fish mongers. He is the executive chef at the A.R. Valentien restaurant at The Lodge at Torrey Pines in La Jolla, California.

Saturday, July 25 – Take a Bite Out of ‘The Big Easy’ (lunch)
Join Chef de Cuisine Chris Lusk of New Orleans’ R’evolution as he exposes the down and dirty of the N’awlins’ food scene. Gumbo, shrimp n’ grits and live jazz – just a taste of what Chef Lusk will bring to Sanctuary from one of the best food cities in the world. Lusk has been named one of Esquire magazine’s “Four Breakout Chefs to Watch” and Louisiana Cookin’ magazine’s “Chef to Watch.”

Saturday, August 8 – Robert Irvine 365 (dinner) 
Behind the fame, lights and glory from one of the most successful chefs in Food Network history, to the brand that is Robert Irvine, there is a man. Find out what motivates, inspires and drives him to be one of the hardest working, ambitious and charitable celebrities today.

Saturday, August 15 – Southern Charm (lunch)
Meet Chef Lindsay Autry (season nine Top Chef finalist) as she charms us with her soulful, southern style. This native North Carolinian has touched some of the top kitchens in the country. She currently owns and operates Fin & Feather, a southern meets Florida catering concept in Palm Beach, Florida.

Saturday, August 22 – The Dead Rabbit NYC (lunch)
What’s it like to manage the best cocktail bar in America, or the world for that matter? Find out when superstar Jillian Vose returns to Sanctuary for an elaborate lesson in the sensual pleasures of the crafted cocktail. Vose is the bar manager for New York City’s The Dead Rabbit Grocery & Grog where she oversees the development of the restaurant’s lauded mixed drink book that contains 64 original cocktails, more than half of which were created by Vose.

Saturday, August 29 – Roadtrip, Destination: Tacoma (dinner)
Pile on board with Chef/Owner Matt Schweitzer of Hilltop Kitchen and Marrow Kitchen & Bar for a journey of modern American cuisine through a Northwest filter. Schweitzer’s use of the region’s incredible ingredients have brought much acclaim to his signature restaurants.

Friday, October 16 (dinner)
Author Simon Majumdar is a true food adventurer, author of the acclaimed book “Eat My Globe” and frequently appears on Food Network shows including “Extreme Chef,” “Cutthroat Kitchen” and “Iron Chef America.”

Lunch events cost $75 per person and start at 12 p.m. Dinner events are priced at $125 per person and start at 6 p.m. The dinner event with Robert Irvine costs 150 per person, or $250 for those who would like to participate in a VIP meet and greet.

Reservations are required and can be made by calling 480-607-2300.

For more information check the Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain website.

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