šŸŽŸļø Desert Magic | Aug 29 — Get Tickets & View Featured Chefs →Get Tickets →
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Matt Russell

Contributor at Tucson Foodie.

Work by Matt

Grabbin’ a cold one with Rachel D’Acquisto of Ray Ray’s Sonoran Spirit Tea
Article

Grabbin’ a cold one with Rachel D’Acquisto of Ray Ray’s Sonoran Spirit Tea

What do a realtor, a wannabe psychologist, a certified sommelier, and a rollerblading server at Sonic Drive-In all have in common? Don’t expect a corny punchline. They actually represent distinct […]

Dec 15, 20227 min read
Comin’ in hot! Erik Buehler & the ā€˜Wall of Heat’ at Tucson Tamale
Article

Comin’ in hot! Erik Buehler & the ā€˜Wall of Heat’ at Tucson Tamale

Erik Buehler laughs off the suggestion that he’s a hot sauce sommelier, but few people in Southern Arizona can compete with his credentials in the environment of combustible condiments. Buehler […]

Oct 25, 20226 min read
What a catch! Ernie Soto, fishmonger & executive sushi chef of OBON
Article

What a catch! Ernie Soto, fishmonger & executive sushi chef of OBON

Ernie Soto’s first encounter with fish in the workplace was at the drive-thru window of his neighborhood McDonald’s where he worked as a teenager. It was his first day on […]

Oct 10, 20226 min read
Sonoran Restaurant Week: Smokin’ menus at Ken’s Hardwood Barbecue & Brother John’s Beer, Bourbon, & BBQ
Article

Sonoran Restaurant Week: Smokin’ menus at Ken’s Hardwood Barbecue & Brother John’s Beer, Bourbon, & BBQ

You might say that I have a little smoke in my soul. I recently returned from Sparks, Nevada where I served as a judge at the nation’s biggest barbecue rib […]

Sep 12, 20226 min read
Propelled by Pastries: Kianna Kilgore’s journey as a pastry chef
Article

Propelled by Pastries: Kianna Kilgore’s journey as a pastry chef

With five brothers and a sister all growing up under the same roof in Phoenix, Kianna Kilgore reportedly had to tap into her creative faculties to compete for her parents’ […]

Aug 22, 20226 min read
Chef Jason Flores brings his country boy flair to Loews Ventana Canyon Resort
Article

Chef Jason Flores brings his country boy flair to Loews Ventana Canyon Resort

He has cooked for the Dalai Lama, lectured on backwoods Oklahoma cuisine, ran the banquets program at the legendary Hotel Del Coronado in San Diego, and prepared fried squirrel at […]

Jul 18, 20225 min read
Chef Wendy Gauthier & Chef Ken Foy battle it out in this year’s Iron Chef Tucson
Article

Chef Wendy Gauthier & Chef Ken Foy battle it out in this year’s Iron Chef Tucson

It’s hard to say with certainty that the Wolverines of West Potomac High and the Eagles of Thomas Edison High are rivals in Alexandria, Virginia, but the real rivalry will […]

Jun 29, 20225 min read
6 Hot Spots For Barbecue In Tucson
Article

6 Hot Spots For Barbecue In Tucson

I recently returned from the Nugget Rib Cook-off in Nevada, the nation’s largest barbecue rib event, where I have served as a judge for the past five years. Often dubbed […]

Oct 29, 20155 min read

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@Sonoranrestaurantweek is almost here! September 4–13!🌵

This year, Flying V at @loewsventana is featuring a special K4 Ranch Prime Beef Tasting for $55.🄩

Dry-Aged Beef Tartare
Koji-Honey Vinaigrette, Fermented Tomato, Shallot, Pistachio, Fry Bread I *+18 add Flying V Special Reserve Caviar I *Casa Madero - Chardonnay — Valle de Parras, Mexico 

Tournedos of Filet Mignon
Desert Pearl Oyster Mushrooms, Del Bac Demi Glace, Our Beef Garum, Chives I Family Style: Hayden Mills Polenta, Farmer’s Market Featured Vegetables I *Merkin — Chupacabra Red - (Grenache, MourvĆ©dre, Syrah, Petite Sirah) - Willcox, Arizona 

Caramel Butter Cake
Exo Coffee-Toffee Sauce, Bread Syrup, Preserved Jujube Chutney, Bone Marrow Ice Cream I *Flying Leap — Sangiovese – Elgin, Arizona 

See menus and build your itinerary on Tucsonfoodie/srwšŸ‘ˆ
#tucsonfoodie #tucsonevents@Sonoranrestaurantweek is almost here! September 4–13!🌵 This year, Flying V at @loewsventana is featuring a special K4 Ranch Prime Beef Tasting for $55.🄩 Dry-Aged Beef Tartare Koji-Honey Vinaigrette, Fermented Tomato, Shallot, Pistachio, Fry Bread I *+18 add Flying V Special Reserve Caviar I *Casa Madero - Chardonnay — Valle de Parras, Mexico Tournedos of Filet Mignon Desert Pearl Oyster Mushrooms, Del Bac Demi Glace, Our Beef Garum, Chives I Family Style: Hayden Mills Polenta, Farmer’s Market Featured Vegetables I *Merkin — Chupacabra Red - (Grenache, MourvĆ©dre, Syrah, Petite Sirah) - Willcox, Arizona Caramel Butter Cake Exo Coffee-Toffee Sauce, Bread Syrup, Preserved Jujube Chutney, Bone Marrow Ice Cream I *Flying Leap — Sangiovese – Elgin, Arizona See menus and build your itinerary on Tucsonfoodie/srwšŸ‘ˆ #tucsonfoodie #tucsonevents
TOMORROW! An evening of food, plants, and connection returns under the desert sky.🌵✨

In partnership with @salus.healers, join us tomorrow, August 29, at @tohonochul for Desert Magic, a one-night celebration of the edible and medicinal beauty of the Sonoran Desert. Stroll the gardens, drink in hand, and discover chef and wellness stations along the way. 

🌿WELLNESS PRACTITIONERS offering sound healing, massage, somatic therapy, readings, reiki, plant walks, workshops & more: @awakenedwombs | @curavidabodywork | @dharmawellness.center | @drkorigiudici | Ease Bodywork | @itsme.emmav | @healingspiritsoaks | @marie.heartnectar | @innerblissenergetics | @jessi.kyte.bodywork | Medicine Within | @monsoonmystics | @morosomedicalcenter | @intuitive_readings_by_zev | @sugarmelovetucson | @tantricheart_coaching | @gathering_point_ | @thehealinghubaz | The Somatic Sound 

šŸ”„FOOD: @el_chef_padilla (@copperashculinary) | @landofmilknhoney (@tohonochulgardenbistro) | @chefdevonsanner (@sandpcreative) | Chef Gracie Soto (@anita_st_market) | @chefjosetucson (@ameliastucson) | @kenneth.foy | Obie Hindman & @tuckerhartford (@tucsoncityofgastronomy & @solpuebloprovisions) | @archimagirus_cultro (@scratchingtheplate)

🄣 SOUNDS @tucsonmodernjazzquartet | DJ Sets by Rosa Dragona & LaDev

Ticket includes wellness stations, herb walks, workshops, sound healing, & botanical drinks.

Tap the link in bio to grab yours! šŸŽŸļøāœØ 

Video by @dalton.voss 
#tucsonfoodie #tucsoneventTOMORROW! An evening of food, plants, and connection returns under the desert sky.🌵✨ In partnership with @salus.healers, join us tomorrow, August 29, at @tohonochul for Desert Magic, a one-night celebration of the edible and medicinal beauty of the Sonoran Desert. Stroll the gardens, drink in hand, and discover chef and wellness stations along the way. 🌿WELLNESS PRACTITIONERS offering sound healing, massage, somatic therapy, readings, reiki, plant walks, workshops & more: @awakenedwombs | @curavidabodywork | @dharmawellness.center | @drkorigiudici | Ease Bodywork | @itsme.emmav | @healingspiritsoaks | @marie.heartnectar | @innerblissenergetics | @jessi.kyte.bodywork | Medicine Within | @monsoonmystics | @morosomedicalcenter | @intuitive_readings_by_zev | @sugarmelovetucson | @tantricheart_coaching | @gathering_point_ | @thehealinghubaz | The Somatic Sound šŸ”„FOOD: @el_chef_padilla (@copperashculinary) | @landofmilknhoney (@tohonochulgardenbistro) | @chefdevonsanner (@sandpcreative) | Chef Gracie Soto (@anita_st_market) | @chefjosetucson (@ameliastucson) | @kenneth.foy | Obie Hindman & @tuckerhartford (@tucsoncityofgastronomy & @solpuebloprovisions) | @archimagirus_cultro (@scratchingtheplate) 🄣 SOUNDS @tucsonmodernjazzquartet | DJ Sets by Rosa Dragona & LaDev Ticket includes wellness stations, herb walks, workshops, sound healing, & botanical drinks. Tap the link in bio to grab yours! šŸŽŸļøāœØ Video by @dalton.voss #tucsonfoodie #tucsonevent
SPECIAL DINNERS DURING SONORAN RESTAURANT WEEK🌵

@Sonoranrestaurantweek is ONE WEEK AWAY! In addition to prix-fixe menus around Tucson, @sonoranrestaurantweek features a lineup of special dinners and one very special brunch. Here’s the schedule:

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4 • 6 PM
Inca’s Peruvian Cuisine Special Dinner
šŸ“ @incasperuviancuisine 
 
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5 • 6 PM
Penca Special Dinner
šŸ“ @pencarestaurante 

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 6 • 11 AM–2 PM
Sonoran Restaurant Week Brunch Takeover
šŸ“ Flying V @loewsventana 

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 6 • 6:30 PM
Whole Hog BBQ Dinner
šŸ“ @bashfulbanditbbq 

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8 • 6 PM
Sunshine Wine Special Dinner
šŸ“ @sunshine_wine_tucson with @queenofcupswines 

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9 • 6 PM
BOCA by Chef Maria Mazon Special Dinner
šŸ“ @bocatucson 

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10 • 6 PM
Bacio Italiano Special Dinner with @vertigo.wines 
šŸ“ @bacio.italianoaz 

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11 • 6 PM
Cielos Special Dinner
šŸ“ @cielostucson 

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12 • 6 PM 
Nana’s Kitchen Special Dinner with @rombauervineyards 
šŸ“ @nanas_kitchen_2008 

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13 • 6 PM
Wild Garlic Grill Special Dinner
šŸ“ @wildgarlicgrillofficial 

Several events have limited seating and require tickets or reservations, so plan ahead!

Sonoran Restaurant Week runs September 4–13. Tap the link in our bio for menus, tickets, reservations, and more.ā¤ļø

#SRW2026 #sonoranrestaurantweek
#tucsonfoodie #tucsonfoodieeventsSPECIAL DINNERS DURING SONORAN RESTAURANT WEEK🌵 @Sonoranrestaurantweek is ONE WEEK AWAY! In addition to prix-fixe menus around Tucson, @sonoranrestaurantweek features a lineup of special dinners and one very special brunch. Here’s the schedule: FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4 • 6 PM Inca’s Peruvian Cuisine Special Dinner šŸ“ @incasperuviancuisine SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5 • 6 PM Penca Special Dinner šŸ“ @pencarestaurante SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 6 • 11 AM–2 PM Sonoran Restaurant Week Brunch Takeover šŸ“ Flying V @loewsventana SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 6 • 6:30 PM Whole Hog BBQ Dinner šŸ“ @bashfulbanditbbq TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8 • 6 PM Sunshine Wine Special Dinner šŸ“ @sunshine_wine_tucson with @queenofcupswines WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9 • 6 PM BOCA by Chef Maria Mazon Special Dinner šŸ“ @bocatucson THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10 • 6 PM Bacio Italiano Special Dinner with @vertigo.wines šŸ“ @bacio.italianoaz FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11 • 6 PM Cielos Special Dinner šŸ“ @cielostucson SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12 • 6 PM Nana’s Kitchen Special Dinner with @rombauervineyards šŸ“ @nanas_kitchen_2008 SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13 • 6 PM Wild Garlic Grill Special Dinner šŸ“ @wildgarlicgrillofficial Several events have limited seating and require tickets or reservations, so plan ahead! Sonoran Restaurant Week runs September 4–13. Tap the link in our bio for menus, tickets, reservations, and more.ā¤ļø #SRW2026 #sonoranrestaurantweek #tucsonfoodie #tucsonfoodieevents
Win 2 tickets to Oktober Foodie Fest! šŸŗšŸ„ØšŸŒ­

Oktober Foodie Fest returns to @corbettstucson on Saturday, September 26th. It’s Oktoberfest, but with a Tucson Foodie flavor all its own!

šŸŽ¶ Live Music šŸŗ Craft Beer Garden šŸ‹ļø Classic Contests 🄨 Authentic German Eats ✚ MORE! 

Here’s how to enter:
1ļøāƒ£ Follow @tucsonfoodie & @corbettstucson
2ļøāƒ£ Tag 1 friend (Your best brat-buddy🌭) and comment ā€œLet’s go to OktoberFoodieFest!ā€
3ļøāƒ£ We’ll draw our winner for the two passes Friday 8/28 at 9:45AM, just before tickets go on sale at 10:00 AM!

Tickets on sale Friday 8/28 @ 10AM PT
Tickets & more info āž”ļø oktoberfoodiefest.eventbrite.com

āš ļø Note for Foodie Insider Members: Check your email for your 50% event discount code!Win 2 tickets to Oktober Foodie Fest! šŸŗšŸ„ØšŸŒ­ Oktober Foodie Fest returns to @corbettstucson on Saturday, September 26th. It’s Oktoberfest, but with a Tucson Foodie flavor all its own! šŸŽ¶ Live Music šŸŗ Craft Beer Garden šŸ‹ļø Classic Contests 🄨 Authentic German Eats ✚ MORE! Here’s how to enter: 1ļøāƒ£ Follow @tucsonfoodie & @corbettstucson 2ļøāƒ£ Tag 1 friend (Your best brat-buddy🌭) and comment ā€œLet’s go to OktoberFoodieFest!ā€ 3ļøāƒ£ We’ll draw our winner for the two passes Friday 8/28 at 9:45AM, just before tickets go on sale at 10:00 AM! Tickets on sale Friday 8/28 @ 10AM PT Tickets & more info āž”ļø oktoberfoodiefest.eventbrite.com āš ļø Note for Foodie Insider Members: Check your email for your 50% event discount code!