Scottsdale Culinary Festival Delivers 30 Years of the Best in Food, Wine, and Music

The 30th Annual Scottsdale Culinary Festival…

The sights, sounds and incomparable tastes of the Southwest’s premier culinary festival returns for its 30th year as the nation’s longest-running culinary celebration. Presented by The Arizona Republic, the Scottsdale Culinary Festival’s 2008 edition reaches new heights with a mixture of soirees, such as the prestigious Friends of James Beard Benefit Dinner, Food & Wine’s Best New Chefs dinner, the sumptuous Wine Country Brunch, and a series of gourmet get-togethers hosted by Food & Wine magazine, with proceeds benefiting the performing art programs around the Valley.
Visitors will indulge in food and drink from nationally renowned chefs and guest sommeliers, enjoy music from acclaimed bands and party with celebrities during the six-day celebration located in the heart of Scottsdale. Can’t miss food-forward gatherings include the costume-optional fête, Carnivale de Cuisine, and the “Iron Chef”-like culinary cook-off, Challenge to the Chefs. The Festival’s signature event, Great Arizona Picnic is a music- and food-fueled two-day gathering on the grass-lined grounds of the Scottsdale Center for the Arts.
Tickets range from $5-$275. Scottsdale League for the Arts can be reached at 480.945.7193. Information is available on the Web at www.scottsdaleculinaryfestival.org.
The 2008 Scottsdale Culinary Festival’s bill of fare will include:


“Friends of James Beard” Dinner
Food & Wine’s Best New Chefs Dinner
Culinary Hall of Fame Awards Dinner
“On the Rocks” & “Off the Rocks”
Carnivale de Cuisine
Chef Wine Dinners
Great Arizona Picnic
Cooks & Corks
Southwest Festival of Beers
Wine Country Brunch
Best of the Fest