April 8: Forks & Corks Gather ‘round the Camelback Esplanade for the seventh annual Forks & Corks culinary festival. Dig into samplings from more than 25 local chefs, indulge in sips from boutique wineries and wager on luxury getaways and gift certificates in the silent auction. Proceeds from the event will help to provide scholarships for the Arizona Hotel and Restaurant Education Foundations. www.forksandcorks.org.
April 10-12: Taste 2010 More than 50 restaurants, world-wide wines and live entertainment will be on hand at the 36th annual Taste 2010 at Kierland Commons in Scottsdale. Be sure to nab a ticket for Saturday evening’s Champion dinner (this year’s champion is former Arizona Diamondback Luis Gonzalez). www.taste2010.com.
April 12-18: Scottsdale Culinary Festival The nation’s longest-running culinary festival will host several foodie-friendly events—ranging from casual tastings at the Great Arizona Picnic to super luxe dinners and brunches with celebrity chefs. Be one of the 40,000 food lovers who visit the Scottsdale Culinary Festival each spring. www.scottsdaleculinaryfestival.org.
April 24: 26th Annual My Nana's Salsa Challenge Tempe Beach Park will host the family-friendly 26th Annual My Nana's Salsa Challenge on April 24. More than 80 pro and amateur competitors will be in attendance to create award-winning salsas. Challenge-goers will also enjoy margaritas and live music. www.salsachallenge.com/.
April 29: Dining Out for Life 2010 On April 29, restaurants throughout the Valley will donate a portion of their proceeds to the Southwest Center for HIV/AIDS as part of Dining Out for Life 2010. Participating restaurants include FnB, Roka Akor, Over Easy, Taggia, Sauce and many more.Who knew doing good could be so delish? www.diningoutforlife.com/phoenix.
May 1: Fourth Annual Cinco de Mayo Festival Start fireproofing your taste buds for the Fourth Annual Cinco de Mayo Festival at el Pedregal. The alfresco festival will include salsa samplings from more than a dozen local restaurants, Semental Tequila tastings, mariachi music and yummy Mexican-inspired desserts from Bakery Café. www.elpedregal.com/.
May 19: Flavors of Phoenix Thirty of the Valley’s most notable chefs will gather at Flavors of Phoenix to benefit the American Liver Foundation. Each chef will be assigned to a table of 12 at Westin Kierland Resort & Spa and will be responsible for providing everything—from the food to the table linens—for that lucky group. This year’s participating chefs include Lee Hillson of T. Cook’s, Matt Carter of Zinc Bistro and James Porter of Petite Maison. www.liverfoundation.org/.
