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A Must Visit Food Event Shining Bright in the Valley of the Sun

The Phoenix Metro Area is the largest metro area in the Southwest, and it’s been a prime destination for travelers since the 1930’s. The area is known as the Valley of the Sun because it features over 325 days with the sun per year. Visitors will fall in love with the area's unique community events, hundreds of restaurants, and ample opportunities for outdoor recreation.

 

Devour Culinary Classic is one of the top culinary themed events in the region. It brings together at least 100 of the city's top culinary minds and thousands of foodies for a week-long celebration of the Phoenix culinary community. Patrons will get the opportunity to visit multiple restaurants where they can sample a variety of culinary creations as well as some of the best libations and drinks the city has to offer. The event concludes with a two-day “Main Event” that will feature demonstrations, tastings, competitions, workshops, and the chance to meet many of the people who make this area's unique food culture what it is. We got the chance to interview Erica Fetherston, Communications Director for Local First Arizona, to talk about this unique culinary showcase.

 

RAL: Tell me about the event.

EF: The Devour Culinary Classic is the region’s premier annual culinary event hosted by Phoenix Art Museum, Local First Arizona, and the Devour Phoenix Restaurant Coalition February 26th to March 5th. Now offering a week-long series at multiple venues in Phoenix, the events showcase the fine food and drink restaurants, producers, and purveyors of Arizona while furthering metro Phoenix as a dining destination worthy of international prestige.

 

RAL: How many annual participants do you draw and who are they demographically?

EF: Now in its 9th year, the 2017 Devour Culinary Classic will feature 40-50 chefs and restaurant concepts as well as a couple dozen beer, wine, and spirits brands. The Devour Culinary Classic has sold out the previous three years with about 2,000 guests each on Saturday and Sunday.

 

The typical demographic makeup of the event is relatively diverse. The event draws attendees from across the Valley, as well as out of town visitors, and hosts foodies young and old, professionals and students, and more.

 

RAL: What makes the event unique?

EF: What makes the Devour Culinary Classic unique is the caliber of the participating chefs and restaurateurs. No other event draws the amount of successful and renowned individuals from Phoenix's food and dining scene as we do. Additionally, the Devour Culinary Classic places emphasis on local agriculture as well as food and beverage producers. The event works to connect them with the participating chefs and attendees.

 

RAL: What can attendees expect during a typical day at the event?

EF: Attendees can expect a day filled with some of the best food and beverages the area has to offer. The day begins with the VIP hour at 10:30 AM, which allows VIP guests to enjoy the event before it opens to the public. There will be chef booths set up at the Phoenix Art Museum's Dorrance Sculpture Garden, and guests can travel from booth to booth to sample the different offerings. Food sampling is unlimited for guests. Sprinkled throughout are also stations to sample Arizona and regional wines, as well as locally made beers and spirits. When guests get full, they can take a break by stepping inside the Phoenix Art Museum to walk around the galleries, as admittance to the museum is included with admission. Guests can also take a break and watch any of the chef demonstrations that will be held throughout the day.

 

RAL: What can visitors expect to find for local lodging?

EF: The Devour Culinary Classic is proud to partner with the Renaissance Phoenix Downtown Hotel to hosts guests of the event, The Renaissance pays particular attention to the local Downtown Phoenix community, and staff is knowledgeable about all of the local events and businesses in the area. Guests can enjoy a dip in the heated rooftop pool and wonderful views of the bustling Downtown Phoenix. When the sun goes down, venture around the corner to the alley where you'll see a red light. If the light is on, that means Melinda's Alley, a speakeasy in the basement of the hotel, is serving up drinks. The rate is $179/night and can be used for the nights of 3/3 and 3/4.

 

RAL: What does this event mean to the community?

EF: This event puts all of its money back into the local economy and supports the local dining, restaurant, food production, and beverage industries. Additionally, proceeds from the event directly support the three nonprofits that execute the event: Local First Arizona, Phoenix Art Museum, and Southern Arizona Arts and Cultural Alliance. Right now, most of the attendees are from Arizona, so the event itself doesn't put as much strain on lodging occupancy. However, March is a very popular time for tourism in Arizona, and many hotels, inns, and resorts may be booked up with visitors for other reasons.

 

RAL: Why should people come to your event.

EF: The Devour Culinary Classic is a one-stop event that showcases the best in food and dining in the Phoenix area. Attendees can sample from the highest caliber of restaurants, and decide which ones they would want to visit for a full meal at a later date. Phoenix has also become a nationally-recognized destination for food and dining, so this event is a great opportunity for out-of-towners to see what all the buzz is about.


For more information about Devour Culinary Classic, please visit their website.