Past Devour Winners
As we gear up for the 10th Anniversary celebration for the Devour Culinary Classic this coming spring, let’s take a look at the best dishes over the last four years. Who will win this year?
2018 Winners
Saturday:
Excellence in Presentation
Winner: Cibo
Arancini no. 1 - Pan Fried rice balls with mozzarella and green peas
Arancini no. 2 - Pam fried rice balls with mozzarella and lamb
Runner Up: Phoenix Public Market
Arizona Citrus Salad - goat cheese, pistachios, local dates, sweet shallot honey vinaigrette, micro greens
Excellence in Innovation
Winner: True Food Kitchen
Grilled Cauliflower Planks - black walnut pesto, truffle tahini, aleppo chili
Runner Up: Helio Basin Brewery
Venison Sausage
Excellence in Taste
Winner: Gallo Blanco
Flapjacks with Plantains Foster
Runner Up: Dust Cutter
Huevos Rancheros / Sonoran Native Tepary Bean Chili, Ground bison, quail egg and chorizo espuma
Sunday:
Excellence in Presentation:
Winner: Kai
Smoked Ocean Trout, Squash Escabeche, Huitlacoche Chumeth, Black Tepary Miso.
Runner Up: FnB / The Inbetweens
Fresh vegetable salad with sugar snap peas and country ham
Excellence in Innovation:
Winner: Shift
Beef tongue Philly Cheesesteak
Runner Up: The Dressing Room
Tako Yaki Hushpuppy with a Tomato Sriracha Jam
Excellence in Taste:
Winner: Elote Cafe
Spicy Anasazi beans with local heritage barley and mesquite cornbread
Runner Up: Different Point of View
Grain Mustard Soy Grilled Muscovy Duck; Sweet Corn Milk Griddle Cakes & Bliss Maple Drizzle, Kumquat Shallot Jam, Duck Cracklings, Basil Oil
Excellence in Distinction
Winner: FnB / The Inbetweens
Runner Up: Kai
2017 Winners
Saturday
Excellence in Taste: Tamara Stagner, Helio Basin Brewing Company, Smoked Bison Taquito with Epazote Cream
Runners Up, Excellence in Taste: Todd Allison, T. Cooks at Royal Palms, Sea Bass Atsade Desta, Cafe Lalibela
Excellence in Presentation: Jared Porter, Clever Koi, Chilled Scallop Sno Cone
Excellence in Innovation: Taylor Domet, True Food, Torched Avocado
Sunday
Excellence in Taste: Jason Atford, Roka Akor, Short Rib with Black Garlic
Runner Up, Excellence in Taste: Bernie Kantak, The Gladly, Brown Butter Tuna Crudo
Excellence in Presentation: Aaron Chamberlin, St. Francis, “Caulipops”
Excellence in Innovation: Jada Shiya, Churn, Banana Split on a Stick
Excellence in Distinction (Overall)
The overall favorite to win the Excellence in Distinction Award over the 2-day event was the Bison Taquito from Tamara Stanger of Helio Basin Brewing Company.
2016 Winners
Saturday
Best Dish: Aioli Gourmet Burgers- White Truffle Slider
Best Dessert: Churn- Coffee Toffee Drumstick (fudge filled sugar cone topped with coffee ice cream, dipped in chocolate and rolled in coffee toffee)
Best Sip: Joyride Taco House- Sloe Ride Margarita (blueberry-infused tequila, Sloe gin, house sour, and tiki bitters)
Sunday
Best Dish: Litchfield’s at The Wigwam- Cedar River Ribeye (Beets, Valdeon, Rocket)
Best Dessert: Kai Restaurant- Chocolate Gateau (mole rojo spiced marcona, black cocoa joconde, caramelia ganache, pasilla chili mousse)
Best Sip: Hula’s Modern Tiki- Dr. Funk (coconut rum, vodka, crème de banana, pineapple & orange juice)
2015 Winners
Saturday:
Best Overall Presentation: Il Terrazzo at the Phoenician
Most Creative Booth: (tie) Blue Hound Kitchen & Cocktails AND Cibo
Best Dish: Roka Akor Wagyu bone marrow with squid ink brioche and Japanese mignonette, escargot with white soy and garlic
Most Unique Dish: Roka Akor Wagyu bone marrow with squid ink brioche and Japanese mignonette, escargot with white soy and garlic
Best Dessert: The Henry Coconut pana cotta
Best Great Hall Exhibitor: Doc's Ice Cream
Best Demo: (tie) Sassi and Cartwrights Sonoran Ranch House
Grand Prize - Best of the Best: Roka Akor
Sunday:
Best Overall Presentation: Kai Restaurant at Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort & Spa
Most Creative Booth: Tuck Shop Meatball Machine
Best Dish: Elote Cafe Roasted corn with spicy mayo, lime and cotija cheese; lamb adobo
Most Unique Dish: Hana Japanese Eatery Tako yaki, mochi rice, pork yakibuta, dashi-poached green beans, miso-fermented walu fish
Best Dessert: Windsor/Churn Oatmeal cookie ice cream sandwich with sour cream ice cream
Best Great Hall Exhibitor: Pistol Whipped Pastry
Best Demo: Barrio Urbano
Grand Prize - Best of the Best: Hana Japanese Eatery Tako yaki, mochi rice, pork yakibuta, dashi-poached green beans, miso-fermented walu fish