The AZCentral Wine & Food Experience is a two day food festival that in 2018 took place at Monterra at Westworld in Scottsdale AZ. Around thirty mostly local restaurants participated. Wine, Beer, Water and some Liquor & Cocktails were also offered. At the festival were a few cooking demonstrations. Sunday’s headliner was Celebrity Chef Aaron Sanchez. He was suppose to be on stage at 1:15….just fifteen minutes after the general admission was allowed in. Just like yesterday all the seats were taken and it was standing room only. I waited for a little while for the Chef Sanchez but not long enough to see him come out….

Phoenix Marriott Resort in Tempe Top of the Rock Restaurant at the Buttes made something called Foie Stuffed Dango and Smoked Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies.

Frasher’s Steakhouse offered Pulled Pork Sandwiches and Butter Cake.

One of the best things I tried on Sunday was the detailed Chocoflan from Talavera at The Four Seasons.

From Proof was a Thanksgiving Hand Pie.

Clam Chowder French Fries from Chula Seafood

Assorted Pastas and Tomato Salad from AJ’s Fine Foods.

 

Beef and Chorizo Meatloaf from Frank and Alberts.

I tried a Habanero Peach Hand Pie from The Pie Hole.

Beef Barbacola from Taco Chelo.

From Cartwright’s was Smoked Sockeye and Wild Game Chili……

Bella Gusto Urban Pizzeria offered Salted Carmel Pannacotta and Saffron Shrimp Rice Balls.

The Dabba offered Aloo Mattar and Chicken Tikka Masala.

Quiessence offered Pumpkin Parmesan Soup, Beef Carpaccio in Parmesan Tacos and Foie Gras Mousse on Macaroons. That’s one fancy spread!

I didn’t write down any notes so………I think it was Bison from Different Point of View.

From J&G Steakhouse was Beef Tenderloin and Wild Shrimp Ceviche. The Beef I tried here was the best beef I tried of the two days.

John & Yoko Dessert from Super Chunk.

……A Lamb Dish from The Boulders.

Spinato’s Pizza…I was waiting for the Broccoli Crust but got a plain……You can find these local pizzas in your grocer’s freezer!

Modern Market made Blueberry and Cheese Sandwiches…………………………..

The Handlebar Diner did Lamb barbacola Chili Colorada over Queso Fundito Macaroni and Cheese. I didn’t try this but my husband said it was one of his favorites.

Hickman’s offered their version of Deviled Eggs……1/2 hard boiled egg topped with aioli and bacon.

Beef Taco on fresh made corn tortilla from Tacos Tijuana.

It was a Sweet Ending from Sweet Republic…..The Cucumber Mojito Sherbet was refreshing, On the left was a Baked Alaska.

Day two was all this and even more! Several participants from yesterday were here again and most of them were serving the same food again.

Again like yesterday the participants were mostly a surprise.

Most of what was printed in the paper differed from who was here.

All in all the festival was a success except for one thing that I forgot to photo. The wine glasses we used were stemless and were difficult to carry around. Usually at food festivals we use wine yolks to carry around the wine glasses so our hands are free to eat and get food.

www.wineandfood.azcentral.com

That was day two of the Azcentral Wine & Food Experience 2018.