Foodies unite! It’s time for the 34th annual Scottsdale Culinary Festival, a 6-day gastronome’s heaven and American’s longest running food festival.
If you’re residing that week at The Rocks Club, plan on checking out the festival, which runs from April 17 through 22. Your biggest problem? Deciding which events you want to attend. Grab the entire schedule and bring your appetite. Check out a sampling of the offerings this year:
Step back in time to Mad Men-esque days when the cocktail was all the rage at Shaken and Stirred held Tuesday from 7-10 p.m. at Mabel’s on Main. World Famous Rani “g” will be on hand to entertain.
Degree 270 hosts The Chocolate and Wine Experience on Wednesday from 7-10 p.m. The amazing pastry chefs from the Valley prepare chocolate heaven for your culinary pleasure. A nice wine is paired with each creation. Bet you’ll have a hard time leaving this event!
A new addition to the Festival, the Burger Battle, shows up at Scottsdale Stadium on Thursday from 6-10 p.m. As you groove to music by The Walkens, sample burgers from 20 of the best restaurants and chefs in the area … and vote for your favorites!
Dying to dress up? Wine tasting, food samples, a spring fashion show, music by DJ P-Body and True to Life, and a hairstyle demo are on the menu at Eat, Drink and Be Pretty, held Friday from 7-11 p.m.
The Great Arizona Picnic rolls into town with your choice of attending either Saturday noon-9 p.m. or Sunday noon-6 p.m. at the Scottsdale Civic Center. This out-of-the-ordinary picnic boasts more than 50 food and drink exhibitors offering sample-size versions of anything from crab cakes to tacos to rockin’ BBQ. Check out the live music and celebrities like Adam Richman from Man v. Food and Andrew Zimmern of Bizarre Foods.
Secure premium parking for this event as well as access without long lines with a Platinum Picnic VIP pass ($300 per person Saturday, $250 per person Sunday). Click here for more information.
Looking specifically for Southwestern flavors and foods? Experience them al fresco at Best of the Fest, where the best chefs in the area serve a mouth-watering dinner to only two tables each at the Marshall Way Pedestrian Bridge.
And don’t worry about all that feasting … Owners at The Rocks Club can hit the fitness center and nearby Pinnacle Peak hiking trail the next day to work off all that culinary happiness that was savored.