Join chef Christian Padilla for a four-course menu inspired by local ingredients and global techniques at the Tucson Foodie June R&D Dinner from 6–9 p.m. on Thursday, June 26 at Arizona Wine Collective, 4280 N. Campbell Ave.
Chef Padilla, previously of Flying V Bar & Grill, brings over 21 years of culinary experience.
Padilla will lead guests through an immersive dining experience. The evening includes an optional wine pairing curated by Arizona Wine Collective.
A Thoughtful and Adventurous Menu
Guests will enjoy a one-night-only tasting menu that blends fine dining with bold experimentation. The featured courses include:
- Welcome Bubbles
- Deviled Duck Eggs with huitlacoche crema, tobiko, hibiscus-pickled onions, and cacahuates japones paired with Chateau Tumbleweed | 2023 Bonita Springs Ugni Blanc
- Heirloom Tomatoes with chiltepín vinaigrette, hamachi, and seaweed caviar paired with Sonoran Wines | 2023 Rosé of Grenache
- Aguachile with beef tenderloin, green apple, serrano, cucumber, scallion, and tortilla ash paired with Los Milics Vineyards | 2022 Renato’s
- Oaxacan White Mole Bon Bons with 70% Bolivian dark chocolate, made in collaboration with Tucson Chocolate Factory paired with Callaghan Vineyards | Barrett’s Sparkling Rosé
Tickets and Wine Pairing
General admission tickets cost $100. The price includes dinner, tax, and gratuity. Guests can add a wine pairing for $45, which includes a welcome pour and curated pairings with each course.
Only 25 tickets remain. Reserve your seat by clicking here.
Arizona Wine Collective is located at 4280 N. Campbell Ave.
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Article written by:

Jackie Tran
More about JackieJackie Tran is a Tucson-based food writer, photographer, culinary educator, and owner-chef of the now-closed food truck Tran’s Fats. Although he is best known locally for his work for Tucson Foodie, his work has also appeared in publications such as Bon Appétit, National Geographic, and the New York Times.
An adventurous foodie, he enjoys culinary experiences ranging from seasonal omakase to sloppily devouring green chili patty melts in his car afterhours. His favorite foods include aguachile, garlic noodles, and leftover fried chicken illuminated by the fridge light. His favorite drinks include morning micheladas, fireside imperial stouts, candle-lit negroni, and grassy mezcales.
Outside of food, he also loves playing musical instruments, karaoke, Tetris, Super Smash Bros. Melee, and petting Addie’s dog Spaghetti.
If you’d like to stalk him, visit his Instagram @jackie_tran_ or jackietran.com.















