Local First Arizona and Devour Phoenix introduce the Guest Chef Series, pairing chefs from two different regions in the state to host a collaboration dinner at their respective restaurants. “Arizona is experiencing a food and beverage renaissance. We are seeing incredible things coming out of restaurant kitchens all across the state, and each region has its own unique trends and popular ingredients,” said Kimber Lanning, Founder and Executive Director of Local First Arizona. “We came up with the idea for the Guest Chef Series because we wanted to allow people in Phoenix to experience what is happening in Flagstaff and Tucson, and vice versa"
The first pairing in the series will be Chef David Smith of Flagstaff's Root Public House with Chef-owner Justin Beckett of Southern Rail and Beckett’s Table on Thursday, April 6, at 6:00 p.m. Guests will enjoy five courses, expertly paired with Arizona wines from Dos Cabezas WineWorks and Sand Reckoner Vineyards.
Reception Passed Appetizers:
- Smoked trout, spring pea cornbread cake, lemon tomato jam
- “Bird in a biscuit”, cola brined fried chicken, buttermilk biscuit, cajun slaw
- Butter bean hummus, pickled jalapeno, micro red Russian kale
- Wine Pairing: 2015 Sand Reckoner Vineyards Vermentino
Course 1: Local baby carrots, goat cheese vinaigrette, fermented garlic, kohlrabi sprouts
2016 Dos Cabezas WineWorks “Pink”
Course 2: Shrimp and grits, benton's ham, roasted corn, pot liqueur, tomato, pea tendrils
2014 Sand Reckoner Vineyards "W"
Course 3: Smoked pork short ribs, cider roasted brussels sprouts, caramelized onion cream
2013 Dos Cabezas WineWorks “Aguileon”
Course 4: Red velvet cake bites, beignets bites, banana pudding tartlets, nutella chocolate bars
Guests can purchase tickets for the April 6 five-course dinner for $79 (plus ticketing fees) at https://www.localfirstaz.com/events/guest-chef-beckett-smith-phx. Guests are encouraged to save the date for when Justin Beckett visits David Smith’s kitchen at Root Public House in Flagstaff on June 22, 2017.
Details are being confirmed for additional Guest Chef events throughout the state.