"The AZ Insider" with Kathy Shayna Shocket: Get the inside scoop on Arizona's social scene and celebrity news.
This week: Restaurateur rolls out red carpet for 25th anniversary.
The 25th anniversary party at Vincent’s on Camelback was such a big to do that restaurateur Vincent Guerithault was still saying goodbye to guests outside at the valet. Yes, the celebrity chef rolled out the red carpet. And the red Ferraris were among the classic wheels that rolled in and out of the restaurant’s driveway. About 500 of the restaurant’s loyal clientele turned out for the celebration, many of whom are VIPs who helped shape the history of Phoenix.
Vincent Guerithault and Barb Fenzl
The charming eatery swelled with high profiles such as former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, former broadcasting giant Hugh Downs, former sports owner Jerry Colangelo and culinary expert and cookbook author Barb Fenzl.
Vincent with Sandra Kush, Patty Dion, Mary Anne McKone, Jane Edmunds
Partygoers were treated to Champagne and other libations and the absolutely declisous culinary delights, including the to-die-for lamb chops and gourmet wood-fired pizzas! Not to mention the unbelievable chocolate chip cookies in gift bags which guests were given for the ride home.
Megan Mosby, Penny Pfaelzer, Karen Scates, Ruth Lavinia
Vincent’s, which has been at the same location on Camelback for 25 years, is a culinary attraction and the celebrated chef’s friendly, but low key and gentle demeanor compliments his signature French menu with a Southwestern twist. (Can you say lobster chimichangas, duck tamales and smoked salmon quesadillas?)
Leevon Guerithault and Suzan Makaus
Vincent and wife Leevon and their three sons have been by his side helping to run and expand the business since day one. “Only a handful of independent restaurants in the Valley have managed to stay in business for this long,” noted Vincent. “I am proud to be among them and I am grateful to my family and loyal customers for all their support throughout the years.”
Jerry Colangelo, MaryAnn Lieb
While not abandoning his classics, he’s expanded his restaurant in a new direction including a new, more casual menu and a bundle of interior modifications including his latest concept, The Bleu Room, which is his take on an intimate French wine bar.
Over the years, Guerithault has expanded the restaurant’s reach with a successful catering operation, his perennially-popular outdoor Saturday Camelback Market that runs from October to May in the restaurant’s parking lot, Vincent Market Bistro, a small casual bistro adjacent to the restaurant, Vincent’s Van Go, a corporate delivery service catering to local businesses and most recently his mobile pizza oven, Vincent’s Van Go Pizza Catering with its one-of-a-kind mobile wood-fired pizza oven. At 800°, the thin-crust pizzas take just a couple of minutes to fully bake. There are more than 10 different pizza choices ranging from pepperoni to the tarte flambée.
And by the way, over the years, the many celebs who have enjoyed Vincent’s menu include those such as Prince Andrew and David Letterman. So to Vincent and his family and loyal clientele – a very, very happy 25 years and we look forward to the next big anniversary party!
Kathy Shayna Shocket is a Phoenix based writer. If you have a good item for The AZ Insider, you can email her at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
