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Greetings!
This week we look back at the Tucson Culinary Festival, look forward to coming events such as the Empty Bowls Luncheon benefiting the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona, and take a peek at what's up at the Marana Farmers' Market this Tuesday. Have a great week, enjoy the weather, and the great food wherever you eat!
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Tucson Culinary Festival
Event Wrap-up  The 9th Annual Tucson Culinary Festival, sponsored by the Tucson Originals restaurant group, was held this past weekend, and what an event! Food, wine, tequila, more food, more wine, more tequila, etcetera. The competition at the World Margarita Championship was fun, creative and spirited; the Reserve and Grand Tasting featured an incredible array of delights from the Tucson Originals member restaurants, as well as some awesome wines to sample; and the Copper Chef Challenge served up a contest between two of the top shelf chefs in Tucson, Addam Buzzalini of Maynards Market & Kitchen, and Ryan Clarke of Lodge on the Desert (the winner).
World Margarita Championship The event was held Thursday, October 27, at Maynards at the Historic Train Depot. For photos, Judges' and Peoples' Choice winners, and winning recipes, click here...
Reserve & Grand Tasting Loews Ventana Canyon Resort hosted this event, which featured samples of new and innovative delectables (and old favorites) from the Tucson Originals member restaurants, as well as a cornucopia of wines from beverage distributors and member
 | | Ghini's French Caffe |
restaurants. The selection of food was incredible, from meatballs and Italian sausage in marinara sauce dished out by Venice Restaurant & Pizzeria, to grapes wrapped in Roquefort cheese served by Ghini's French Caffe, there was absolutely something for everyone. Beef dishes, from Renee's Organic Oven's Caprese beef sliders to Chad's prime rib, chicken in every fashion, pizza, Asian, cheesesteaks, brownies, seafood, and last but not least, almond rocca from Jonathan's Cork (available in couple of weeks at the restaurant for the holiday season).
Copper Chef Challenge & BBQ A great afternoon experience was had by all on the Kiva Patio at Loews Ventana Canyon Resort. Cooking demonstrations, kids activities, throwdowns, beer tasting and just great food made for a great BBQ and mixer. The afternoon was topped off by the Copper Chef Challenge, with Ryan Clarke of Lodge on the Desert besting Addam Buzzalini of Maynards (last year's winner). The judges had it tough - both chefs prepared amazing food based on Angus beef and the "secret ingredient", lobster mushrooms. I'll try to post the chefs' menus in next week's newsletter.
 | | Ryan Clarke's Deconstructed Kabob |
For more pictures of the event, go to the Tucson Notebook Facebook album of the Copper Chef Challenge. I would've taken more photos, but I was too busy eating.
In summary, all I have to say is that if you have never attended this event, you need to put it down on your to-do-list for next year. And make sure you have a few extra notches in your belt to get you through the weekend!
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Openings, Closings & More
Openings Donut Wheel, Alvernon & Pima, recently New location The Arizona Daily Star reports that Carlota's Authentic Mexican Cuisine at Foothills Mall moved from that location to one at Lambert Lane and La Canada. The original restaurant is still at 15920 N Oracle Road in Catalina. |
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Upcoming Events
Culinary, Restaurant & Food Festivals in Tucson & Southern AZ
Coming up this week: Empty Bowls Luncheon, Tucson Village Farm Harvest Festival, and more.
The Events page is updated a couple times a week, so you might want to bookmark it and check it between newsletter releases.
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Media Round-up
News & blog articles from around the Web
A food world is underfoot, Arizona Daily Star, October 23, about local author, master cook and native foods expert Carolyn Niethammer
Mixing together, Tucson Weekly, October 27, about Tucson's new chapter of the Bartender's Guild
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This Week at the Marana Farmers' Market
The Marana Farmers Market is now located at the New Marana Health Center every Tuesday from 3-6pm! Stop by the new Marana Health Center (13395 N Marana Main St) to stock up on delicious, locally grown fruits, veggies, and honey! THIS TUESDAY check out the Youth Farm Project PLANT SALE at the market! Come buy vegetable starts for your garden and support the Youth Farm Project! We will have collard, kale, swiss chard, broccoli, cauliflower, and lettuce starts for sale! The Marana Farm and Consignment program will have winter squash, greens, radishes, onions, apples, various types of chiles, eggplant, okra, basil, sweet potatoes, red potatoes, herbs, and fresh eggs. The Zhangs will have Marana-grown watermelons, butternut squash, and pumpkins. Tucson Honey Company will have raw, local honey. La Tauna Tortillas will have wheat tortillas (made with your choice of soybean oil or olive oil), wheat-chiltepin tortillas, flour tortillas, and aguas frescas including oat-chata and jamaica. Jeremy Markley will have tomatoes grown in his hydroponic greenhouse near Wilcox. High Energy Agriculture will have butternut squash and greens. Steve will have herb and other plant starts. John Keller will have Earthboxes and tomato starts. |
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Your comments about this newsletter are greatly appreciated.
Bon appetit!
Sincerely,
Denis Fabbrini
Editor
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