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Pat Christofolo

For more than 30 years, Christofolo has been a Tempe-area business leader—and she has been one of the foremost females in the Valley food industry since opening Out to Lunch in 1981. Today, she is best known as the owner and CEO of beloved local landmark, The Farm at South Mountain, and Santa Barbara Catering Company.

What impact do you hope to have on the Valley? “It is more important than ever for the food industry in Phoenix to be noticed on a national level. I strive on a daily basis to impact this by helping to develop Phoenix as a culinary scene in a sustainable way. By introducing seasonal, delicious, unique and handcrafted foods at The Farm’s restaurants, I hope to transcend the way Phoenix residents eat and how out-of-town guests perceive our culinary scene and Arizona food and wine products. I also hope to create lasting memories through food experiences, education and events at The Farm at South Mountain. With my business Santa Barbara Catering, I showcase that caterers can serve restaurant-quality food off-premise. I want our catering to create an experience for an event’s guests. Through our catering company, I also hope to impact the Valley’s tourism by capturing out-of-state companies and conferences as clients.”

Local Loves:

Restaurant: FnB for creative, ethnic flavors; Buck & Rider for oysters; and, of course, Quiessence for cured meats

Annual event: Devoured and AZCentral Food & Wine Experience

Spot to unwind: The patio at The Royal Palms Resort and Spa

Hidden gem: Restaurant Mexico

Place to work up a sweat: Mack Newton

Staycation spot: Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Montelucia

Way to give back: The Learning Garden at The Farm