Events: Arizona - Phoenix - Scottsdale

Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain Resort and Spa announced the highly anticipated return of the Nirvana Food & Wine Festival, Scottsdale’s premier culinary, spirits, art and music festival, from April 16-19.  This year’s event and talent lineup promises to be one of the most impressive yet, offering up-close and personal access to celebrity chefs, mixologists, winemakers, musicians, television personalities, artists and more through a collection of curated food, beverage and lifestyle experiences featuring the best ingredients and top talent from coast to coast and around the world.

Sanctuary’s Executive Chef, event mastermind and television personality Beau MacMillan leads the list of 2020 participants. “This event is one that is so near and dear to my heart,” said MacMillan. “Having the opportunity to celebrate outstanding culinary talent, mixology, music and more alongside some of my closest friends and fellow foodies is a true privilege. Nirvana really offers something for everyone and that’s a big part of what makes the festival such a special experience.”

MacMillan will headline this year’s event alongside other acclaimed culinary personalities including Food Network stars, television personalities and restaurateurs Robert Irvine and Scott Conant; Chef John Tesar, winner of Bravo’s “Top Chef;” Chef Rene Andrade, the visionary behind Tempe, Ariz.-based concepts Ghost Ranch and Tempe Public Market Café and Russell LaCasce, executive chef at the famed Hotel Valley Ho in Scottsdale. This year’s impressive lineup of celebrity mixologists is led by Jason Asher, MacMillan’s longtime friend and former Jade Bar mixologist. Asher, an award-winning and nationally acclaimed mixologist and co-owner and operator of popular Phoenix outposts UnderTow and Century Grand, will be joined by “The Modern Mixologist” and television personality, Tony Abou-Ganim; Jillian Vose, beverage director at acclaimed New York City hot spot The Dead Rabbit; Travis Garcia, expert mixologist from Mountain Shadows Resort in neighboring Paradise Valley, Ariz.; Keifer Gilbert, bartender at Scottsdale’s Toca Madera.

Not only does Nirvana Food & Wine bring together the best of the best in food and beverage talent, but an added collection of athletes, celebrities, musicians, artists and more to create an all-encompassing festival experience. Guests can expect appearances from celebrities including Nikki and Brie Bella, the Bella Twins, known for their roles in popular E! Network programs “Total Divas and “Total Bellas;” actor and comedian Rob Riggle and more. Phoenix-based artist Gennaro Garcia, known for his multi-media pieces that celebrate his Mexican heritage, will showcase a special art demonstration and guests will get to enjoy musical performances from country music stars D. Vincent Williams, Dillon Dixon and Joe Diffy as well as popular DJ Miss Mixx and DJ Hybrid.

A schedule of headlining events:

Wood, Wine & Wagyu presented by Far Niente

Date: Thursday, April 16

Tickets: Beginning at $350

The 2020 festival kicks off with this ever-popular event, featuring superstar culinary talent from across North America preparing Snake River Farms American Wagyu cooked over open-wood flames while celebrity mixologists craft whisky-based cocktails utilizing Woodford Reserve. Guests will then be invited to take their places at the table for an intimate, family style dinner with wines hand selected by Far Niente. Country music superstars D. Vincent Williams, Dillon Dixon and Joe Diffy will provide musical accompaniment.

Flutes & Coops

Date: Friday, April 17

Tickets: Beginning at $150

Experience the ultimate Champagne campaign and fried chicken feast headlined by DJ Miss Mixx, Fosterson and 17 of the Valley’s best chefs preparing their best fried chicken recipes. This indoor/outdoor event will feature full bars and cocktails shaken by some of the Valley’s best mixologists with one chef being crowned king of Flutes & Coops by popular vote. 

Tequila & Tortillas

Date: Saturday, April 18

Tickets: Beginning at $125

Grab the salt and limes! Held at the iconic Hotel Valley Ho, this year’s Dia de los Muertos-themed Tequila & Tortillas event will feature nearly 20 locally and nationally recognized chefs cooking up the best of the best in southwestern fare. Since no fiesta is complete without tequila, several of the Valley’s top cocktailers will be on-site mixing up delicious tequila-based cocktails.

This year’s event also features a team “taco takedown” competition, tequila luges and a stunning art presentation by the renowned Gennaro Garcia.

Best of the West

Date: Saturday, April 18

Tickets: Beginning at $175

The biggest event of the weekend, Best of the West will be hosted by Scott Conant and Tony Abou-Ganim and will offer 20 live-action stations showcasing cuisine from the most talented chefs of the Valley and greater Arizona. Set to the backdrop of the stunning Camelback Mountain, this not-to-miss event will also offer live musical performances from Double D and the Nashville Allstars to close out the night.

Rosé Parté 

Date: Sunday, April 19

Tickets: Beginning at $150

The star-studded rosé-all-day trend continues with Rosé Parté, co-hosted by Robert Irvine and the Bella Twins. Guests will have the opportunity to mix and mingle with some of the Valley’s top culinary talent as well as taste two-dozen different rosé wines. This brunch-style party will also include craft cocktails, ice carvings, a raw bar and beats by DJ Miss Mixx. Giving new meaning to the term “Sunday Funday,” this is a not-to-miss closing experience.

Tickets to individual events and the festival in its entirety are available for purchase at this link. Room packages are available through Sanctuary and can be booked here or by calling 877.522.0815. For events and talent updates, please follow the Nirvana Food & Wine Festival on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.