The Tucson City of Gastronomy has selected its 2021 Certified Restaurants and the first representatives of the new categories of Certified Food Artisans and Beverage Artisans.
It’s a true honor to join, too. The application narrows it down to a total of 25 locally owned, independent restaurants and 15 local food and beverage artisans. Now, each business will be specially promoted by Visit Tucson, the Pima County Visitors’ Center, Tucson City of Gastronomy, and its partners.
“We are inspired by the resilience of the restaurants and artisans who applied even during this challenging time for the culinary industry,” said Tucson City of Gastronomy Directory, Jonathan Mabry, “and can’t wait to spread the word about how the 2021 selections are supporting our local food economy, taking extra care of their employees, giving back to the community, and keeping our food heritage alive.”
So, what makes these restaurants and local businesses stand out?
In this group of new certifications, all of the businesses source ingredients from local producers, partner with other food businesses, and use heritage ingredients in many of their menu items and artisanal products.
Another thing that all of the 2021 Certified Restaurants and Artisans do is give back to the community in various ways. This could be hiring people facing obstacles or donating and fundraising the Community Food Bank, soup kitchens, or women’s shelters.
“We want these certifications to bring more customers to these uniquely local businesses that sustain our internationally recognized food culture, to help them survive the current extinction event happening nationally for independent restaurants and other non-chain food businesses,” said Mabry.
Tucson City of Gastronomy 2021 Certifications
Restaurants
- 5 Points Market & Restaurant
- Aqui Con El Nene
- Aravaipa Farms Orchard & Inn
- Barrio Brewing Company
- Barrio Charro
- Blue Willow
- BOCA Tacos y Tequila
- The Carriage House
- Charro Steak & Del Rey
- Charro Vida
- Cup Café
- El Charro Café
- El Guero Canelo
- The Grill at Hacienda Del Sol
- Little Poca Cosa
- Mama Louisa’s
- The Parish
- PY Steakhouse
- Rollies Mexican Patio
- Seis Kitchen
- Taco Fish
- Tacos Apson
- Taqueria Pico de Gallo
- Tito and Pep
- Tucson Tamale Company
Food Artisans
- Arizona Baking Company
- Barrio Bread
- Carlotta’s Kitchen
- Cheri’s Desert Harvest
- Chilttepica Salsa
- La Estrella Bakery
- Maiz Tucson
- Monsoon Chocolate
- The Parish
- Tucson Tamale Company
Beverage Artisans
- Borderlands Brewing Company
- Callaghan Vineyards
- Hamilton Distillers
- Ten55 Brewing Company
- Town Under Black Distillery
Tucson City of Gastromony’s President, Janos Wilder, sees the program as an opportunity to showcase and celebrate the city’s food culture.
“Each of these restaurants and artisans represent our City of Gastronomy with their own unique identities and perspectives of what it means to live, work, and cook here,” said Wilder. “Their employment practices are aspirational models of how modern, independent businesses can work to better their communities.”
Did you know that Tucson has the only certification program?
The city is leading the way among the 36 UNESCO Cities of Gastronomy in 19 countries around the world with the program, and the next call for certification applications will be announced this summer.
For more information, visit tucson.cityofgastronomy.org.
Article written by:
Matt Sterner
More about MattAt a very young age, Matt Sterner was gifted with the artistic ability to masterfully roll a burrito to the highest of standards, but the wrapped medley of delicious innards wasn’t his first love. Matt’s first true love was a combination of reading, writing, and creating. He grew up reading comics, the ingredients list of his shampoo and conditioner bottles, choose-your-own-adventure books, and the Scrabble dictionary — something he found useful when challenging his grandmother to a game.
He attended college at New Mexico State University and graduated with a degree in Digital Filmmaking. One of his favorite classes was screenwriting because he became responsible for the story’s birth before it came to life on-screen. After school, Matt took on numerous positions at a local television station in Tucson. From dealing out stories about heartbreak to producing “fluffier” content for a lifestyle broadcast, he learned what it takes to adapt to the many emotions the world of media can stir. Since 2017, Matt has dabbled in the culinary world of Tucson as well as San Diego, California from time to time.
If you’re in the mood for strange stories, head over to his pride and joy, wonkytimes.com. And in case you’re curious — yes, after all of this time, he still manages to roll a killer burrito.
