2016 Foodist Awards Finalists Announced

Award season is upon us! It’s always exciting to see who has been selected as nominees and the thought process behind the nominations. We are all about local love and could not be more excited to share the just announced 2016 Foodist Awards Finalist Nominees. The official awards ceremony will be held on April 21st, beginning at 6pm at The Showcase Room. The event is a classy affair and anyone who is anyone in food will surely be there.

2016 Foodist Awards Finalist Nominees

Uniquely Arizona| Home to some of the oldest documented food traditions, Arizona has a rich culinary past steeped in tradition. This award celebrated restaurants that embrace not only local food but are staples of the state.

• Joe’s Real BBQ
• LON’s at the Hermosa Inn
• The Stockyards

Food Pioneer| This award honors a lifetime of outstanding culinary excellence that continues to educate, inspire and foster a deeper understanding of the culinary culture here in Arizona.

• Joe Johnston (Liberty Market/ Joe’s Real BBQ/ Joe’s Farm Grill)
• Kevin Binkley (Binkley’s/ Bink’s Midtown/ Bink’s Kitchen + Bar/ Cafe Bink)
• Sam Fox (Fox Restaurant Concepts)

Top Chef| This award pays tribute to outstanding culinary excellence, breaking new ground with an innovative menu while enhancing the overall dining experience.

• Cullen Campbell (Crudo/ Okra)
• Kevin Binkley (Binkley’s/ Bink’s Midtown/ Bink’s Kitchen + Bar/ Cafe Bink)
• Mel Mecinas (Talavera)

Innovative Restaurant Concept| This award recognizes a restaurateur or restaurant group who demonstrates that they do not follow trends; they define them, setting the bar in restaurant operations and the overall customer dining experience.

• Clever Koi
• Kai
• Ocotillo

Outstanding Multiple Location Restaurant| This award honors a culinary concept with multiple locations, demonstrating exceptional achievement and commitment to excellence in marketing, menu design and customer service.

• Nook Kitchen
• Pita Jungle
• Postino

Emerging Restaurant of the Year| This award honors promising up-and-comers that demonstrate exemplary talent, showcase innovation and have already distinguished themselves as pacesetters in food, beverage, and service.

• Craft 64 Pizza
• Flourish Restaurant
• Ocotillo

Restaurant Employee| This award recognized the from or back of the house employee that has set the gold standard for exemplary customer service and enhancing the overall dining experience.

• Darryl Jansen/ Kitchen Manager/ Joe’s Real BBQ
• Kevin Michael Lewis? Sommelier & Beverage Director/ Kai
• Laura Baldassarre/ Employee/ Wildflower Bread Company

Premier Cocktail Program| This award recognizes an outstanding restaurant or bar that demonstrate excellence and innovation in the cocktail program.

• Bitter & Twisted
• Counter Intuitive
• Market Street Kitchen

Premier Beer Program| This award recognizes an outstanding restaurant or bar that demonstrates excellence and innovation in their beer program.

• Culinary Dropout
• Four Peaks Brewing Company
• Two Brothers Tap House & Brewery

Premier Wine Program| This award recognizes an outstanding restaurant or bar that demonstrates excellence and innovation in their wine program.

• LON’s at the Hermosa Inn
• Ocotillo
• Southern Rail

Good Neighbor| This award recognizes the outstanding community leadership and exceptional devotion to making a difference in our neighborhoods and community at large.

• Joy Bus
• Local First
• Salut Kitchen Bar

Outstanding Food Truck| This award recognizes outstanding achievement in mobile nourishment, operations and community development.

• Chef Wade’s Bistro on Wheels
• Frites Street
• The Rocket

Best Dish “Dessert” This award honors the restaurant that quite simply does it best!

• Mastro’s/ Butter Cake
• Orange Sky/ All desserts
• SumoMaya/ Tres Leches

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If you would like to attend the Foodist Awards, you can get your tickets on the Foodist Awards event website. The event will begin at 6pm with a cocktail reception and the dinner and program following at 7pm. Single tickets are $ each and a table of 8 can be purchased for $150, and tables (which seat 8) can be purchased for $995. A portion of every ticket purchased directly supports Arizona’s ProStart Culinary Education Program; developing the best and brightest talent in tomorrow’s restaurant and foodservice leaders.

The Showcase Room is located at 149 S. Farmer| Tempe| 85281