The Devour Culinary Classic has been bringing Arizona culinary and beverage leaders together since 2008 — inviting folks to devour new dishes.
On Wednesday, February 26, Local First Arizona announced the winners of the 17th annual, and guess what? Gastronomic Union of Tucson (GUT) chefs crushed the competition — taking home two People’s Choice Awards!
The event showcasing Arizona’s top chefs was this past weekend, hosted at Phoenix’s Desert Botanical Garden in partnership with the Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance (SAACA).
(Photo courtesy of Devour Culinary Classic)
A panel of food critics and chefs — including James Beard Award winner, Chef Janos Wilder — tasted dishes served by 120 participating restaurants and purveyors, scoring on taste, presentation, degree of difficulty and creativity.
Then, the following awards are handed out: Best in Show, Best Use of Heritage Food, People’s Choice Awards, Gold Medal, Silver Medal and Bronze Medal.
Let’s get to those People’s Choice Awards:
Best Savory Bite: a tie between GUT Chefs’ Sonoran Beef Roulade and Clever Koi’s Pork Chashu Gordita
Best Sweet Bite: GUT Chefs’ Seville Orange and Prickly Pear Verrine
Best Sip: Iconic Cocktail Co.
GUT is a collective of chefs and food professionals in Tucson who promote collaboration, sustainability, and innovation in the local food scene. The group was founded by a team of chefs who wanted to highlight the city’s unique food scene while supporting each other through events and education.
GUT chefs also won a Bronze Medal overall.
All Other Devour Culinary Classic Awards
Best in Show
TPC Scottsdale: Al Pastor Pork Belly Taco, Chef Matthew O’Harris
Runners up:
Chilte: Prawns with Peanut Mole, Chef Lawrence “LT” Smith
The Gladly: Cactus Ham with Chicharron and Napoles, Chef Bernie Kantak
Valentine: Sonoran Hot Dog, Chef Donald Hawk
Best Use Of Heritage Food
Litchfield’s at the Wigwam: Buffalo and Tepary Bean Stew
Runner up:
Nella’s Innovative Kreations’ Corn Tortilla with Tepary Bean Hummus, Prickly Pear and Sonora White Wheat Berries
Gold MedalS
The Gladly
Valentine
Chilte
Litchfield’s at the Wigwam
TPC Scottsdale
Silver Medals
Aioli Gourmet Burger
Barrio Bread and Sonoran Pasta Co.
Cafe Lalibela
Clever Koi
Dahl Restaurant Group
Dust Cutter
Fellow Osteria
Feringhee Modern Indian Cuisine
Gertrude’s at the Desert Botanical Garden
Hilton Scottsdale Resort & Villas Bluefire Grille
JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort & Spa
Kembara at the JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa
Lylo Swim Club
Mujer Bonita Catering
Nella’s Innovative Kreations
Prado at Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Montelucia
For more information and to keep up with the latest about next year’s event, visit devourphoenix.com.
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At 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.
