The 25th Annual Culinary Festival was a wonderful success!
Thanks to everyone who participated and attended!

Tuesday, March 11, 2003
6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Location: Marquesa, Fairmont Scottsdale Princess
Cocktail Attire
Ticket Price: $75

This event was a real hit! Guests had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet eleven of their favorite celebrity cookbook authors, all in one delicious evening! Chef Reed Groban prepared a selection of the fabulous hors d'oeuvres featured in the authors' cookbooks to satisfy guests appetite for the extraordinary.

Attendees savored a variety of culinary delights, chatted with the authors and purchased their own personally autographed copies of cookbooks.

The evening's featured authors were Chefs: Letty Flatt, Alan "Skip" Hause, Gaye Ingram, Deborah Madison, Nick Malgieri, Donna Nordin, Barbara Pool Fenzl, Robert McGrath, Douglas Rodriguez, Grady Spears, Jeremiah Tower, Gwen Ashley Walters and Ethan Becker.

Thursday, April 10, 2003
6:30 p.m.
Event Chair: George Owen
Location: Hyatt Regency Scottsdale
Ticket Price: $100
Cocktail attire

To celebrate our 25th year, we have combined the ever-popular "Culinary Student Competition Awards Dinner" and the "Culinary Hall of Fame Awards Dinner" into one gala event.

Join the League as we honor outstanding students and veterans in the culinary field. See celebrity "Culinary Media Masters", Beth McDonald and Bill Austin of KEZ 99.9 and others inducted into the Arizona Culinary Hall of Fame.

Guests will experience the winning recipes submitted by culinary students from around the country. The winning appetizer, entrée and dessert will be served.

Friday, April 11, 2003
7:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Event Chair: Susan Platner
Location: Scottsdale Civic Center Plaza
Ticket Price: $75 (Ticket includes admission, all food tastings, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages including the Absolut Tent!)
Resort attire

Kick off this year's Festival with the best party Scottsdale has ever seen! Our special musical guests will be The Reed Family Reunion. Enjoy tastings from some of the best caterers in the Valley and don't forget the famous Absolut tent! Don't miss out on the fun - be there!

Saturday, April 12, 2003 - Noon - 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, April 13, 2003 - Noon - 5:00 p.m.
Event Chair: Jayne Heckman
Location: Scottsdale Civic Center Plaza
Ticket Price: $40

Taste and sip your way through a "Wonderful Gourmet World of Food and Wine." The fun begins at noon, when the doors open to an event complete with food samples, wine tasting and cooking demonstrations by celebrity chefs. Space is limited, so reserve your tickets early!

Saturday, April 12, 2003 - Noon - 10:00 p.m.
Sunday, April 13, 2003 - Noon - 7:00 p.m.
Event Chair: Amy Stonestreet
Location: Scottsdale Civic Center Plaza
7380 E. Second St., Scottsdale (2nd St. and Civic Center Blvd.) Map
Admission: $5 for 12 years and older; or Save $1 by purchasing Discount Admission Tickets at local Safeway stores (available beginning March 10th) for Only $4. $1 per tasting coupon

Enjoy the excitement of food sampling from some of the finest restaurants in the Valley. The picnic features continuous musical entertainment and a Saturday night "Concert Under the Stars." A family event for a weekend of fun.

Sunday, April 13, 2003 - 1:00 p.m
Sponsored by: United Dairymen of Arizona
Donations by the Arizona Beef Council
Location: Scottsdale Civic Center Plaza in the "Competition Pavilion"
7380 E. Second St., Scottsdale (2nd St. and Civic Center Blvd.) Map

Here is how it works! As this event begins, several Master Chefs receive identical "mystery baskets" of ingredients. The Challenge? Create an appetizer and an entrée -- all within a time limit -- and you get to watch every move!

Only the judges' palates will determine the winner of this delicious competition!

Saturday, April 12, 2003 - Noon - 9:00 p.m.
Sunday, April 13, 2003 - Noon - 6:30 p.m.
Event Chair: John Dresh
Location: Scottsdale Civic Center Plaza
7380 E. Second St., Scottsdale (2nd St. and Civic Center Blvd.) Map
Admission: $5 per person (includes souvenir mug)

Right next to the Great Arizona Picnic is the fabulous Southwest Festival of Beers. Admission to the beer garden is $5 (separate from the Great Arizona Picnic $5 Admission fee).

Sample your way through an extensive variety of more than 200 beers with your complimentary souvenir mug. There will also be lots of great food and live music. Join the fun and toast a few in front of the Scottsdale Civic Center Plaza!

Saturday, April 12, 2003
5:30 p.m. - 12:00 midnight
Event Chair: Sharon Levinson
Location: DoubleTree Paradise Valley Resort
Ticket Price: $175
Black-tie attire

Imagine a starlit night, champagne toast and a chauffeured coach escorting you on a progressive dinner to the Valley's finest dining establishments. Le Tour Culinaire takes guests on a coach tour to three different restaurants for a sampling of cuisine created to impress.

Each course is paired with a prominent wine and the winemaker will travel with you on your tour. A fantastic dessert finale, the vocals of Valley favorite Guy Pennacchio and dancing completes this most elegant evening.

Sunday, April 13, 2003
11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Event Chair: Debbie Christensen
Location: Four Seasons Resort
Ticket Price: $55
Resort attire

On Sunday, April 13th, leave your worries behind for an afternoon of leisure, luxury and what could be described as the ultimate dining extravaganza at the annual "Wine Country Brunch".

The Four Seasons Resort has your dining passport. This glorious brunch focuses on winning combinations as food and wine mingle to soothe your palate. Guests will have the opportunity to meet winemakers and experience the perfect pairing of flavors while listening to the sounds of local musician Vanessa Florez. There will also be a fabulous silent auction.

Sunday, April 13, 2003 - 6:30 p.m.
Event Chair: Tom Wiltbank
Location: Hyatt Regency Scottsdale
Ticket Price: $150
Cocktail attire

The finale for the weekend! This is a pairing of the best of the winemakers
and chefs demonstrating their art and mastery of culinary skill.

Each of the seven prominent Valley chefs create at tableside a five-course meal for their table of ten guests to match and complement selected vineyard presentations. The evening commences with a sparkling wine aperitif. A most elegant Sunday evening affair!

Own the Original!

The original artwork used for this year's poster will be raffled off at this Best of the FestT event. (Need not be present to win.) Meet the artist, Sandy Appleoff!

Buy your Raffle Tickets now! Each Raffle ticket purchase includes a FREE Poster.