"Mosaic is my passion," says Deborah Knight, chef and owner of the acclaimed restaurant. Opened in 2001, Mosaic has returned her fervor. Knight was honored as "Best New Chef 2002" by Food & Wine and Mosaic received "Best New Restaurant" 2002 from Phoenix Magazine and the "Award of Excellence" in 2002 and 2003 from Wine Spectator. "I was shocked to be this successful so quickly," says the chef, who notes that Mosaic had been open just three months when the James Beard House called and four months when Food & Wine phoned. To be nationally known in the first year was beyond our expectations. A graduate of the California Culinary Academy in San Francisco, Knight trained in Scottsdale under Chef Cary Neff. Although she traveled the world to invent her cuisine, she returned home to build Mosaic. I believed that Scottsdale could handle this sophisticated palate, Knight says. I've watched it grow into a beautiful destination city. Scottsdale is a great integration of everything you could want in a vacation. Serving dinner six nights a week, Knight emphasizes healthy, organic, inventive dishes that feature whole grains, balanced whole foods and lean meats, along with mouthwatering desserts and 380 wines to complement the ever-changing menu. The "diversely global" menu includes African, Vietnamese and Thai influences as well as some Native American traditions. "I collect mesquite beans and use them in puddings and breads. Prickly pear cactus buds make a great sorbet," says Knight, who notes that a number of customers fly in from London and New York to enjoy her culinary delights. One gentleman from New York comes here once a month. It is so wonderful to cook for someone who adores it.

Recognition and Awards
AAA - Four Diamonds 2005, 2006, 2007
Wine Enthusiast - Award of Unique Distinction 2005, 2006
AZ Business Mag - Most Romantic 2006-2007
Phoenix Mag. - Best Restaurants 2003 - 2007
SPIRIT Mag. (Anthony Dias Blue) Best & Brightest Chefs 2003
Food & Wine -Best New Chefs 2002
Phoenix Mag - Best New Rest. and Best Vegetarian 2002
City Magazine - 2002

A believer in giving back to the community, Chef Knight is dedicated to many
charitable causes via gifting and participation when she can excuse herself from
the kitchen. Her charitable causes include and are not limited to the following;

Celebrity Fight Night
Actor’s Theatre
Scottsdale Culinary Festival La Tour Culinare
Hospice of the Valley
Scottsdale Healthcare
AZ. Council on Economic Education
The International School of Arizona
Wine, Women & Jazz
Maricopa County Bar Foundation - Barrister’s Ball
Notre Dame Prepatory High School
Boys and Girls Club - DLB Derby
Hospice of the Valley
Xavier College Prepatory
Our Lady of Joy Lady’s Guild.
AZ Literacy & Learning Center
Pinnacle Peak Parks