25 of the Valley’s Top Chefs Come Together for Dine Out with the Chefs on October 2nd

October brings some of the Valley’s most anticipated culinary events and among those is the Annual Dine Out with the Chefs. The event, in its sixth year, will take place on Sunday, October 2nd from 4pm-6pm at the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts.

*Pictured left is the Salmon with tomatoes and basil at Lon’s at the Hermosa.

More than 25 of the Valley’s top chefs have signed up to participate, offering their most delicious creations in the fundraiser to benefit the Performing Arts. 18 of those chefs are returning, while 5more have been added to the roster. Guests will have the opportunity to mingle and interact with the chefs and sample their masterpieces, a true art in itself. Participating restaurants include:

Alto ristorante e bar at Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort and Spa at Gainey Ranch, Arcadia Farms, Citizen Public House, Cowboy Ciao, elements at Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Resort & Spa, FnB, Frank & Albert’s at Arizona Biltmore, J&G Steakhouse at the Phoenician, Il Terrazzo at the Phoenician, IRUNA, Julia Baker Confections, Kazimierz World Wine Bar, Lon’s at the Hermosa Inn, The Mission, Orange Sky at Talking Stick Resort, Spotted Donkey Cantina II, SWB a southwest bistro at Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort and Spa at Gainey Ranch, Sweet Republic, Talavera at the Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North, T. Cook’s at Royal Palms Resort & Spa, Tracy Dempsey Originals, Zinc Bistro and ZuZu at Hotel Valley Ho.

Advance tickets are $60 (or $55 for members) by calling 480-499-8587 or online at ScottsdalePerformingArts.org. Tickets at the door are $70. Availability is extremely limited, so reserve your tickets now.

The event will also feature live entertainment by the Nicole Pesce Trio, tastings of fine wines and tequilas, cooking demonstrations and a book signing with the event’s organizer, Pamela Swartz, author of Dine Out Phoenix: Where to Eat from Chic to Unique.

Recently, we had a chance to ask Pam Swartz a few questions about the event and her book. Read her responses below:

Amy Martin: What motivated you to create Dine Out with the Chefs six years ago?
Pam Swartz: As author of the dining guide, it seemed to me to be the perfect way to showcase and celebrate the Valley’s exciting dining scene and launch the first edition of Dine Out Phoenix (including Scottsdale): Where to Eat from Chic to Unique. Imagine eating the culinary creations for some of the Valley’s BEST chefs all in one evening! And to top it off, we’d be raising money for a great cause.

Amy: In your first year, did you imagine it would be such a huge success and an event the Valley would look forward to so much each year?
Pam: No. I literally had less than 8 weeks from start to finish to create, plan and produce this event. We weren’t sure what to expect. But I had tremendous support from the chefs and restaurants involved, and from the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts. I was overwhelmed by the support and response I received – a completely wonderful experience!

Amy: How are participating restaurants chosen?
Pam: I invite each chef and restaurant to participate in the event. Of course, we can’t accommodate all of the chefs that we would like to have participate, as there simply isn’t room. But I can confidently say, that these chefs are the best of the best, whom collectively define exceptional cuisine in the Valley. And not only are they well-respected amongst their fans, but amongst their peers as well. We are extremely fortunate and grateful, as many return year after year, eager to help support the cause and treat the patrons to an exceptional dining experience. I also to make sure to save a spot or two for the best new restaurant(s) that opened during the previous year.

Amy: Any standout dishes from previous Dine Out events that you’ll never forget?
Pam: Where do I begin! Salt seared Kobe beef kabobs served with bay scallops and house cured bacon. Roasted chestnut and truffle soup served with foie gras tourchon, and caramel apples. Slow roasted duck served with butternut and cherry farrotto. Chili braised beef short ribs with truffle scented mac n cheese. Herbed potato gnocchi with Maine lobster. Or oxtail hash covered with truffle demi glaze, served with toasted macadamia nut vinaigrette. Just to name a few!

Amy: Can you tell us about a couple of your favorite local restaurants?
Pam: I get asked this question a lot. It really depends on my mood and the occasion. I love eating in fine dining restaurants just as much as I do local dives – as long as the food and the experience are great! Dining isn’t just about the food – it’s the sights, sounds, aromas, people, atmosphere, and setting. There’s so many that I enjoy. But here’s just a few to get you started: FnB, Lon’s at the Hermosa, Beckett’s Table, Razz’s Restaurant, T. Cook’s, Carolina’s Mexican, Aloha Kitchen, the list goes on and on!

Amy: Your book Dine Out Phoenix: where can our readers pick up a copy?
Pam: You can pick up Dine Out Phoenix at your any one of your favorite bookstores, or online at amazon.com, bn.com or dineoutphoenix.com/guide. And now, available on all web-enabled mobile phones, you can be kept-up-to-date by simply texting DINEOUT to 99222. Bon Appetit!

For more information about the event, or to purchase tickets, visit ScottsdalePerformingArts.org.

Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts | 7380 E. Second St. | Scottsdale, AZ | 480-874-4694