Expand Your Events Horizon for Spring '18
We’re all familiar with the Valley’s big, multi-day, spring food events: Devour, The Scottsdale Culinary Festival and even newcomer Nirvana. But it’s time to consider some of the more specialized, and perhaps lesser known, spring events on offer from the end of February to the beginning of May.
For Gardeners
With our way-above-average temperatures this winter, it’s hard to believe that the possibility of winter frost isn’t officially over until February 15. But then it’s full speed ahead for planting those spring garden tomatoes, squash, peppers and more. Take classes at local nurseries and with master gardeners (one of the more unusual is how to grow sugar cane in the Valley). Then hit the annual spring plant sales offered by the Desert Botanical Gardens, the Arizona Herb Association, the Arizona Rare Fruit Growers and others. No room for your own garden? Check out the many opportunities to volunteer and participate in community gardens.
For Vegetarians
The PHX Vegan Food Festival returns in February and Veg Out! debuts in March. Raw Vegan to Plate cooking classes are on offer.
For Cooks
In addition to our traditional local cooking schools, you can find cooking classes at BBQ Island (grilling fish), The Farm at South Mountain (spring rolls), The Taste Workshop (vegetable tarts) and Rio Salado College (tamales). Once a month, Chef Alex Stratta of Found:Re leads a cooking class/lunch.
For Families
Festivals are a great way to introduce kids to new tastes and cultures. The Aloha Festival, Matsuri Festival, Italian Festival, Polish Festival and Cajun Fest are all coming up on the calendar. Or, bring the little ones along with you to Pizza Night at Boho Farm + Home, or to “Soil to Boil” at Crooked Sky Farms.
For the Adventuresome
Workshops on beekeeping, edible and medicinal plants of the Sonoran Desert, and food photography are available. The Arizona Muddy Chef Challenge debuts.
For Adult Beverage Drinkers
With Arizona Beer Week, CrushBrew, Arizona Cocktail Weekend and the West Valley Beer Fest just behind us, you might think it was time to slow down our collective beverage consumption, but there are plenty of wine, beer and cocktail events coming up to keep us drinking throughout the spring. Wine dinners abound at our top hotels including the Biltmore, Mountain Shadows, Omni, Royal Palms and Valley Ho. The free whiskey tastings we saw in the winter continue, Mesa holds a brewfest, Chandler hosts the BBQ and Beer Fest, AmeriCAN celebrates canned beer and the annual Agave on the Rocks event returns.
Looking for More?
For detailed information on these and other events, see ediblephoenix.com/events.
