Nominations For The 2016 Foodist Awards Are Open Now

Want your favorite local chef, restaurant, or dessert to get some much deserved recognition? Then you might want get to clicking, because nominations for the Arizona Restaurant Association's annual Foodist Awards are open now. The awards will recognize winners in 13 categories and look to showcase "the most amazing tastes,...

By Lauren Saria

March 10, 2016

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Want your favorite local chef, restaurant, or dessert to get some much deserved recognition? Then you might want get to clicking, because nominations for the Arizona Restaurant Association's annual Foodist Awards are open now.

The awards will recognize winners in 13 categories and look to showcase "the most amazing tastes, faces, and places in Arizona food and beverage." Online submissions will close on Tuesday, March 15, and a final list of nominees will be chosen by a panel of "industry influencers" organized by the ARA.

This year's categories include:

Uniquely Arizona
Food Pioneer
Top Chef
Innovative Restaurant Concept
Outstanding Multiple Location Restaurant
Emerging Restaurant of the Year
Restaurant Employee
Premier Cocktail Program
Premier Beer Program
Premier Wine Program
Good Neighbor
Outstanding Food Truck
Best Dish: Dessert

The winners will be announced on Thursday, April 21, at a four-course awards dinner in The Showcase Room at the Yard at Farmer Arts District.

Last year's winners included Chef Silvana Salcido Esparza of Barrio Cafe (Food Pioneer), Chef Charlene Badman of FnB (Top Chef), Ross Simon of Bitter & Twisted Cocktail Parlour (Master Mixologist), and POSH (Outstanding Restaurant Concept). Other winners from past years include Craig DeMarco and Lauren Bailey of Upward Projects, Chef Gio Osso of Virtù, Chef Kevin Binkley of Binkley's Restaurants, and Chef Justin Beckett of Beckett's Table.

To submit your nominations, visit the Foodist Awards website.

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