Last Chance to get the Devour Culinary Classic VIP Experience, where VIP Chefs Justin Beckett and Stephen Jones Showcase Their Mouthwatering Cuisine and Cocktails with Mardi Gras Flair
Phoenix (Feb. 5, 2020) – Devour Week is almost here, and this is the last chance to get your hands on tickets to the highly anticipated Devour Culinary Classic at Desert Botanical Garden Saturday, Feb. 22 and Sunday, Feb. 23. Tasting tickets are sold out, but VIP tickets are still available.
2020 VIP Packages - $205:
The VIP Package is for those wanting a truly exclusive experience. It includes early entry to the event 90 minutes before Tasting ticket holders and a private VIP Lounge with Southern-inspired bites and cocktails created Justin Beckett of Beckett’s Table and Southern Rail, as well as Stephen Jones of the larder + the delta.
Explore these recipes for Chef Justin Beckett’s Cocktails in the VIP Lounge:
Southern Sazerac
This is Southern Rail’s signature Sazerac recipe. This libation is considered by many to be the very first 'cocktail' invented by Antoine Peychaud, a Creole apothecary shop owner in New Orleans during the early 1800s.
Vessel: Rocks glass, misted with absinthe or anisette
2 ½ oz Bulleit Rye
½ oz Simple Syrup
3 dashes Angostura Bitters (or other Traditional Bitters)
Mist Absinthe/Anisette
Garnish Lemon Peel
NoLa Milk Punch
Milk Punch is a traditional brunch beverage made famous in New Orleans and is found at Brennan's Restaurant, The Carousel and Commander's Palace among others.
Vessel: Highball tumbler
1 oz Christian Bros Brandy (or other Brandy)
1 oz Bulliet Bourbon
3 oz Arizona Milk Producers Whole Milk½ tsp
Vanilla Extract¾ oz
Honey Simple Syrup
Garnish Dusting of Nutmeg
Discover these creations by Chef Stephen Jones in the VIP Lounge:
French 75
½ oz Lemon Juice
½ oz Simple Syrup
1 oz Gin
2 oz Champagne
Method: Shake and double strain in coupe, top with Champagne
The Hurricane
2 oz Dark Rum
2 oz Light Rum
1 oz Lime Juice
1 oz Orange Juice
½ oz Passion Fruit Puree
½ oz Simple Syrup
Bar spoon Luxardo Cherry Juice
Garnish Orange wheel, Luxardo cherry
VIP guests will also experience VIP Entertainment from Sugahbeat. Sugahbeat is refreshingly different seamlessly blending world rhythms with contemporary beats, reggae with samba, pop with Soca (West Indian for “Soul Calypso”) and Latin with R&B, to create a distinctive, proprietary sound. You may very well recognize members of Sugahbeat from accomplished Southwest favorites Azz Izz Band, Zum Zum Zum or several other veteran Arizona-based acts.
Devour Week Events
Feb. 15 - 23, 2020
As in years past, the Devour Culinary Classic will host a series of pre-events ahead of the main Classic to extend the culinary celebration all week long. Event details are subject to change, and other events may be added at a later date.
Devour the World
Celebrate the international flavors of the Valley while enjoying music and dance performances from around the world. Moving to Peoria for 2020, Devour the World will make this cultural festival more accessible to West Valley residents.
Date: Saturday, Feb. 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 an award-winning restaurant with top local chefs. They first cooked together at the prestigious James Beard House in New York City, and now they get together annually to promote the Arizona cooking scene.
Date: Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020
Location: The Gladly
2201 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix, AZ
Tickets: Sold Out
Devour Culinary Classic
The 2020 Devour Culinary Classic presents the very best that Arizona’s culinary scene has to offer.
Date: Saturday, Feb. 22 and Sunday, Feb. 23, 2020
Time: VIP: 10 - 11:30 a.m., Tasting: 11:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Location: Desert Botanical Garden
1201 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix, AZ 85008
Tickets: devourphoenix.com
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
Discover the tranquil vibrancy of 50,000 desert plants nestled amid the red rocks of the Papago Buttes at Desert Botanical Garden. An Arizona icon for more than 80 years, the Garden has grown into a compelling attraction and desert conservation pioneer, offering worldly plants, vibrant trails, world-class exhibitions, festive events, fascinating classes and so much more.
About the Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance
The Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance (SAACA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the creation, preservation and advancement of the Arts. SAACA strengthens the bonds between people, place and purpose through collaborative, arts-driven experiences. SAACA (formerly the Greater Oro Valley Arts Council) was created to develop cultivated programming that spotlights local creatives and celebrates unique culture, while providing direct opportunities for artists to make and sell their work. To date, SAACA has created over 200,000 arts-driven experiences, from innovative community festivals and cultural celebrations to creative sector development, and accessible arts enrichment programs. SAACA continues to grow in footprint and in impact while working to pursue the mission of strengthening the bonds between people, place and purpose.
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