Devour Culinary Classic Announces VIP Chefs, 40+ Restaurants, Local Craft Breweries and More Coming to the sunny Sonoran Desert this February 22 & 23, 2020
While the rest of the nation shivers through another freezing February, the 11th annual Devour Culinary Classic (February 22 & 23, 2020) will be serving up a heaping helping of homegrown food, wine and fun in the Arizona sun (average high temperature: 72-degrees). Hosted amidst the towering Saguaros of the Southwest’s largest botanical garden, Desert Botanical Garden, Devour showcases the combined culinary talents of more than 40 of Arizona’s top restaurants, highlighted by the newly-announced VIP Chefs, Justin Beckett of Beckett’s Table and Southern Rail and Stephen Jones of the larder + the delta. Most important, as a fundraiser for the non-profit Local First Arizona, the largest locally-owned business coalition in North America, the Devour Culinary Classic is one of the few high-profile culinary events that intentionally focuses on local talent.
Named Best Southwestern Culinary Festival by New York Times, Best Food Festival by Phoenix Magazine, Best Culinary Festival from the Phoenix New Times, and Best Food Event from azcentral, pre-sale tickets to the always-sold-out Devour Culinary Classic are now available for members of the hosting organizations, and will be available to the general public on Friday, November 22.
Co-hosted by the Desert Botanical Garden and Arizona Business Committee for the Arts, the Devour Culinary Classic also serves as the grande finale to Devour Week. Running February 15 – 23, 2020, Devour Week highlights include the globe-spanning Devour the World food, music and dance festival, in partnership with the City of Peoria. Plus the annual Seven Chefs Dinner, a one-night-only dining event with a septet top local chefs, who first cooked together at the prestigious James Beard House in New York City, and now get together annually to promote the Arizona cooking scene.
“Arizona is bursting with talent. Our independent culinary scene and extended food culture have helped shape our identity as a state and as a world-class destination,” said Thomas Barr, Executive Director of Local First Arizona. “For the past 11 years, we have worked to get national attention on Arizona, but the fun now really begins. They’ve taken notice, and Arizona will continue to put on a delicious show.”
New for 2020, the Devour Culinary Classic is serving up a festive Mardi Gras theme for VIP guests inspired by both VIP Chefs’ love of Southern Fare (NBC’s “The Today Show” recently recognized Chef Justin Beckett’s Southern Rail for serving the “The Best Fried Chicken in America”). Guests will also get to feast among neon, wild animal sculptures all the way from Milan from visiting art exhibition Wild Rising by Cracking Art. Plus, for the first time ever, both VIP Chefs will be on-site on both the Saturday and Sunday events.
“Does it get any better than strolling through the magnificent Southwest landscape, noshing on deliciously crafted small plates while sipping Arizona wines under the springtime desert sun? Not to me, or to the thousands of enthusiastic attendees who sell out Devour year after year,” said Howard Seftel, renowned and retired Arizona food critic who has attended the Devour Culinary Classic over the last decade. “What makes Devour stand out year after year is the chef participation list. It’s filled with Arizona’s top chefs, who aren’t into Food Network appearances, building restaurant empires or becoming celebrities. They are craftsmen and women, working chefs, in their kitchens night after night making sure your meal is up to standard. Many of them may still be under the radar nationally, but I’m not being a hometown booster when I say that they can compete with the best chefs in New York or San Francisco.”
Event Details
The 2020 Devour Culinary Classic promises to present the very best that Arizona’s culinary scene has to offer with even more opportunities to connect with Arizona’s local culinary culture. One hundred percent of all proceeds from the annual Devour Culinary Classic benefit the community efforts of Local First Arizona, Desert Botanical Garden and Arizona Business Committee for the Arts (AZBCA).
Details
Date: Saturday, February 22, and Sunday, February 23, 2020
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. (Media / VIP Hour: 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.)
Location: Desert Botanical Garden, 1201 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix, AZ 85008
Talent
Chef Justin Beckett, Beckett’s Table & Southern Rail
An acclaimed entrepreneur and innovator, Chef Justin Beckett is a leading force in Phoenix's rising culinary scene. The son of a pastry chef who lived in five states and three countries before the age of 18, Justin draws upon a multitude of cultures and flavors in his own creations as the chef and co-owner of Beckett’s Table and Southern Rail in Phoenix, AZ. A graduate of the California Culinary Academy, Justin previously worked at Roy’s Hawaiian Fusion Cuisine as well as a personal chef for Countess Von Galen of Germany, before partnering with his wife, Michelle, and their longtime friends and sommeliers, Scott & Katie Stephens, to open Beckett's Table in 2010 and Southern Rail in 2014. Also serving on the Arizona Restaurant Association’s Board of Directors, Justin proudly sources a majority of his products from local purveyors. Select awards listed below.
Beckett’s Table
“Top 50 Restaurants in AZ” Phoenix Magazine
“Best Local Chef” Arizona Republic
“Best New Chef Nominee” Food and Wine Magazine
“Awards of Excellence” Wine Spectator (2012-2019)
Southern Rail
“Best Restaurant in Phoenix” Food Network
“Restaurant with the Best Fried Chicken in America” The Today Show
“10 Best Dishes in Phoenix” Arizona Republic
“Places to Eat and Drink in Phoenix” Food & Wine Magazine
“Premier Wine Program” Foodist
“Awards of Excellence” Wine Spectator (2015-2017)
“Best New Restaurant in Scottsdale” Travel & Leisure
“Critics Pick, Best Local Chef” Arizona Republic
Chef Stephen Jones, the larder + the delta
A former football player who was also born into a family of master chefs and cooks, Stephen Jones trained at Le Cordon Bleu in Pasadena before moving to Los Angeles to cook at Water Grill, Hollywood & Highland and Table 8. Moving to Las Vegas to serve as Sous Chef for the renowned Nobu and the much-missed Bradley Ogden, Stephen relocated to Chicago to serve as Executive Sous Chef of Mk Restaurant before moving to Phoenix. Here in the Valley of the Sun, Stephen worked at renowned kitchens, including Chef de Cuisine at Tarbell’s, Executive Chef at Latilla at the Boulders Resort, and opening chef Blue Hound Kitchen + Cocktails. In 2015 Stephen launched the larder + the delta in central Phoenix, named “Best Southern Restaurant” by the Phoenix New Times and “Best Fried Chicken” by Phoenix Magazine, and showcasing the best local produce, meat and dairy.
More to come
The entire talent lineup for the 2020 Devour Culinary Classic is being finalized. A continuously updated list of confirmed talent can be found at classic.devourphoenix.com/talent/. A list of chefs and their corresponding day of participation along with VIP Lounge features will be available on the website when tickets are released. A final list of talent will be posted and distributed in January, 2020.
Devour Week Events
February 15 - 23, 2020
As in years past, the Devour Culinary Classic will host a series of pre-events ahead of the main event to extend the culinary celebration all week long. Event details subject to change, and other events may be added at a later date.
Devour the World in partnership with the City of Peoria
Celebrate the international flavors of the Valley while enjoying cultural music and dance performances from around the world. Moving to Peoria for 2020, Devour the World will make this unique cultural festival more accessible to West Valley residents.
Date: Saturday, February 15
Location: Centennial Plaza – Peoria City Hall Complex 9875 N. 85th Ave, Peoria AZ 85345
Tickets: devourphoenix.com
Seven Chefs Dinner
Enjoy a one-night-only dining event at award-winning restaurant The Gladly with top local chefs, who first cooked together at the prestigious James Beard House in New York City, and now get together annually to promote the Arizona cooking scene.
Date: Sunday, February 16, 2020
Location: The Gladly, 2201 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix, AZ Tickets: devourphoenix.com
Devour Culinary Classic
The 2020 Devour Culinary Classic presents the very best that Arizona’s culinary scene has to offer with even more opportunities to connect with Arizona’s local culinary culture.
Date: Saturday, February 22 and Sunday, February 23, 2020
Time: Media/VIP package: 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM, Tasting package: 11:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Location: Desert Botanical Garden, 1201 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix, AZ 85008
Tickets: devourphoenix.com
Ticketing Details
Ticket Sales Dates
2020 ticket sales will open first to members of the coordinating organizations. Following the exclusive member pre-sale, tickets will open to the general public.
Member Pre-Sale: Active members of the Local First Arizona Localist program, Desert Botanical Garden, and the Arizona Business Committee for the Arts are eligible to purchase tickets for the Devour Culinary Classic and other Devour Week events beginning on Friday, November 8, 2019. Members will be given details for purchasing tickets by their respective organizations.
General Ticket Sale: Tickets for the Devour Culinary Classic and other Devour Week events will be available to the public beginning Friday, November 22, 2019. Tickets are limited and those interested in attending Devour Culinary Classic events are encouraged to explore membership options with LFA, the Garden, and AZBCA to take advantage of the member pre-sale. Tickets will be available for purchase at classic.devourphoenix.com/tickets.
Ticket Packages
For the 2020 Devour Culinary Classic, there are two different ticket packages available. Cost of ticket package includes ticketing and processing fees. Packages are available for both Saturday, February 22, and Sunday, February 23, 2020. Packages are available for single day attendance only, those interested in attending both Saturday and Sunday must purchase those respective packages.
Tasting Package - $105:
The Tasting Package offers the essential experience allowing guests to sample and enjoy the best local restaurants and food while strolling Desert Botanical Garden.
One Day General Admission to Devour Culinary Classic
Access to Hensley/Quench Beverage Garden
Access to Hensley/Quench Wine Sales area, with an exclusive selection of wine and
spirits available at discounted prices
Access to Chef Demos
Reusable Commemorative Wine Glass and Yoke
Live Music and Arts Experience throughout the Garden
Lyft Discount
VIP Package - $205:
The VIP Package is for those looking to have a truly exclusive experience with a private VIP Lounge with chefs and libations, and early entry to the event to stroll, meet the chefs before General Admission entry.
VIP early admission increased to 90 mins to Devour Culinary Classic
The 2020 Devour VIP Dorrance Hall Lounge will feature an immersive experience of entertainment, and food exhibitions. Rub elbows with Devour special guests, celebrities, media and food judges throughout the day.
Two Tickets for a return attendance to Desert Botanical Garden ($50 value).
Access to all participating chef and purveyor menu tastings and experiences
Access to all featured culinary demos, and education sessions
Live Music and Arts Experiences throughout the Garden
Reusable Wine Glass and Yoke
Lyft discount PLUS
More details with regard to ticket package benefits to be announced in the coming months on the website at https://classic.devourphoenix.com/ All other event details and updates regarding the Devour Culinary Classic will be posted to devourphoenix.com/classic.
Official event hashtag: #DevourPhoenix. Follow @DevourPhoenix on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for updates.
About Local First Arizona
Founded in 2003 by Director Kimber Lanning, and now the largest locally-owned business coalition in North America, Local First Arizona (LFA) is a statewide non-profit organization working to strengthen communities and local economies through growing, supporting, and celebrating locally owned businesses throughout the state of Arizona. LFA seeks to promote, support, and celebrate a vibrant and sustainable Arizona economy by educating consumers, stakeholders, business leaders, and policymakers about local business ownership, social equity, cultural diversity, environmental kinship, and collaboration. Visit www.localfirstaz.com for more information and a directory of more than 3,000 locally owned businesses.
About Desert Botanical Garden
Desert Botanical Garden is the largest botanical garden in the Southwest, featuring 50,000 plants from across the world. The Garden allows visitors to experience the beauty of the desert like never before. For 78 years, the Garden’s commitment to the community is to advance excellence in education, research, exhibition and conservation of desert plants of the world with emphasis on the Southwestern United States. Visit dbg.org for more.
About the Arizona Business Committee for the Arts
The Arizona Business Committee for the Arts (AZBCA) is a not-for-profit organization that exists to ensure that, through engagement in arts and culture, our communities produce strong, inspired citizens. AZBCA enlists artists, businesses, governments, and individuals to expand artistic and cultural opportunities in their respective communities. To enhance access to the arts and to promote cultural awareness in the communities it serves, AZBCA presents large-scale festivals, events and other programs. The Alliance also promotes educational opportunities in the arts and culture for all ages. Visit https://www.saaca.org/artsintegration.html for more.
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