Scottsdale Culinary Festival Begins a New Era in 2020 presented by City of Scottsdale

Scottsdale, Ariz. (Feb. 25, 2020) — The 42nd annual Scottsdale Culinary Festival (#SCFLove), one of the longest continually running events of its kind in the country, returns Sat., April 18, 2020, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m., at Scottsdale Civic Center Park, 3939 N. Drinkwater Blvd., Scottsdale, Arizona 85251.

The first Scottsdale Culinary Festival was created more than four decades ago to raise funds for Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts. Now a reenergized Culinary Festival returns with three entities collaborating — Scottsdale League for the Arts, Scottsdale Arts and R Entertainment.

Scottsdale League for the Arts, formed in 1978, has donated more than $4.5 million to the arts since 2000. Scottsdale Arts is a multi-disciplinary, nonprofit arts organization that operates the Scottsdale Civic Center. Scottsdale-based R Entertainment is a national culinary event producer and concert entertainment company.

Dr. Glenn Azzari, Scottsdale League for the Arts president, said: “Scottsdale Culinary Festival’s 42-year legacy continues in a modernized format as we launch into this new decade. To deliver new festival and culinary experiences, our volunteer organization is pleased to work with R Entertainment, a Scottsdale event production company that specializes in large festivals and events, and Scottsdale Arts and its expertise with the city’s performing arts center and more.”

Dr. Gerd Wuestemann, President & CEO, Scottsdale Arts, said: “The arts are part of Scottsdale's DNA and Scottsdale Arts, as Arizona's largest arts umbrella, embodies this fact. We are thrilled to add the culinary arts to our current roster of events, from the work of our four branches to Canal Convergence and the Scottsdale Arts Festival. Partnering to continue this legacy of one of the longest-running food festivals in the nation is exciting. Evolving this storied event into an even more vibrant lifestyle festival is inspiring. We are thrilled about the partnership and believe that our community will support us to the fullest extent.”

Reed Glick, Partner, R Entertainment, said: “Years ago R Entertainment saw the demand and interest in active exploration – whether it involves food and drink or music and entertainment, it’s about creating memorable experiences. That’s what we strive for and we are pleased to work with Gerd and his amazing team, and also build on the exceptional legacy of Scottsdale League for the Arts.”

Scottsdale Culinary Festival enhances Scottsdale’s brand as an upscale food destination and admission to the event benefits Scottsdale League for the Arts as well as Scottsdale Arts and its four branches: Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA), Scottsdale Public Art and Scottsdale Arts Learning & Innovation.

FOOD & ENTERTAINMENT. More than another food event, R Entertainment’s content and production resumé and Scottsdale Arts’ multi-disciplinary expertise promise to deliver an exciting Scottsdale Culinary Festival, a one-day, outdoor, lifestyle experience, featuring 30 diverse Arizona restaurants — international finds as well as renowned favorites — a cooking demonstration stage showcasing some of the nation’s top chefs, and a series of wine and beverage seminars by industry leaders, all in support of the arts. Scottsdale Culinary Festival in 2020 presents fashion shows, culinary discovery and lively entertainment making for a memorable day.

Restaurants participating to date include Mowry & Cotton, MATCH Restaurant & Lounge and Sushi Roku, among others. Main Stage entertainment features Yachtley Crew and Lane Change. A complete entertainment schedule will be announced in the coming weeks.

TICKETS. Tickets available at ScottsdaleCulinaryFest.org

GA Gateway Pass. $12 in advance only; $15 day of event. This is a general event access ticket; does not include food and drink. All ages.
Yacht Party. $42 in advance; $50 day of event. Entry to Yacht Party, souvenir tasting glass, 20 4oz beer/wine/spirits samples. Does NOT include food. 21+ ONLY.
VIP Premier Pass. $125 in advance; $135 day of event. Includes access to two exclusive entertainment areas, catered food inside VIP area, drink card for 10 complimentary drinks throughout the event. Does NOT include Yacht Party access. 21+ ONLY.

*ticket prices listed exclude taxes & fees
Children 12 and under FREE, welcome in the general admission area

LOCATION AND PARKING. Scottsdale Civic Center Park, 3939 N. Drinkwater Blvd., is located just north of Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts at 7380 E. 2nd St. in downtown Scottsdale. Free parking is available in the public parking garage located to the west of Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts on Wells Fargo Avenue. Additional free parking is available at the Old Town Parking Corral at East Second Street and Brown Avenue and at the Civic Center Library parking garage located on Drinkwater Boulevard at East Second Street.

MORE INFORMATION. For tickets and the latest information, visit ScottsdaleCulinaryFest.org Follow social media Facebook @ScottsdaleCulinaryFestival and Instagram and Twitter @scottsdalefest, #SCFLove.

The Scottsdale Culinary Festival this year will bring Scottsdale Civic Center Park alive with food, art, entertainment and fun and will focus on sustainability and a goal to become a zero-waste event.

SCOTTSDALE ARTS: Through its dynamic partnership with the city of Scottsdale, the nonprofit Scottsdale Arts (formerly known as Scottsdale Cultural Council) creates diverse, inspired arts experiences and educational and outreach opportunities for the community, while fostering active engagement of individuals, businesses, education and government with the arts. Since its founding in 1987, Scottsdale Arts has grown into a regionally and nationally significant, multi-disciplinary arts organization offering an exceptional variety of programs through four acclaimed branches — Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA), Scottsdale Public Art and Scottsdale Arts Learning & Innovation — serving more than 600,000 participants annually. In conjunction with the city of Scottsdale, we also host more than 200,000 people annually on our campus through a robust rentals program. Scottsdalearts.org

SCOTTSDALE LEAGUE FOR THE ARTS: Formed in 1978, the Scottsdale League for the Arts has presented the Scottsdale Culinary Festival, the longest-running festival of its type in the nation. The 501(c)(3), nonprofit, volunteer organization supports local arts programs through culinary fundraising events. In 2018, grant recipients included Ballet Arizona, Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, Free Arts for Abused Children, Phoenix Theatre, Southwest Shakespeare Company and Valley Youth Theater. The League has donated more than $4.5 million to the arts since 2000.

R ENTERTAINMENT: R Entertainment is an experiential marketing, content and business development company, producing 200 dates a year, such as the USA TODAY Wine & Food Experience, The Taco Festival with Comcast Spectacor, Kentucky Derby Fillies & Lilies Party, Super Bowl events, PGA Waste Management Phoenix Open, Arizona Diamondbacks Evening on the Diamond, Shea Homes® Good Life Festival™, and others. R Entertainment also books concert entertainment nationwide. Visit R-Entertainment.com.

The 42nd annual Scottsdale Culinary Festival Returns