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Art of Plating 2020 photos: chefs, plates & fun

Art of Plating 2020 photos: chefs, plates & fun

Jan 31, 20202 min read

In collaboration with Copenhagen Imports and 11 outstanding local chefs, Tucson Foodie hosted its second Art of Plating event on Thursday, January 30.

All of the chefs graciously donated their time and food in support of The Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona. Thank you, chefs, you are absolute culinary superstars.

We extend our thanks to all those who participated and contributed to the event’s success.

Here were each of the chef’s submissions:

Erika Bostick, Fonda La Hermanita

Art of Plating dish by Erika Bostick from Fonda La Hermanita (Photo by Jackie Tran)
Art of Plating dish by Erika Bostick from Fonda La Hermanita (Photo by Jackie Tran)

Moody Elbarasi, The Coronet

Art of Plating dish by Moody Elbarasi from The Coronet (Photo by Jackie Tran)
Art of Plating dish by Moody Elbarasi from The Coronet (Photo by Jackie Tran)

Wendy Gauthier, Chef Chic

Art of Plating dish by Wendy Gauthier from Chef Chic (Photo by Jackie Tran)
Art of Plating dish by Wendy Gauthier from Chef Chic (Photo by Jackie Tran)

Roderick Ledesma, PY Steakhouse

Art of Plating dish by Roderick LeDesma from PY Steakhouse (Photo by Jackie Tran)
Art of Plating dish by Roderick LeDesma from PY Steakhouse (Photo by Jackie Tran)

John Martinez, Tito & Pep

Art of Plating dish by John Martinez from Tito & Pep (Photo by Jackie Tran)
Art of Plating dish by John Martinez from Tito & Pep (Photo by Jackie Tran)

Maria Mazon, BOCA Tacos y Tequila

Art of Plating dish by Maria Mazon of BOCA Tacos y Tequila (Photo by Jackie Tran)
Art of Plating dish by Maria Mazon of BOCA Tacos y Tequila (Photo by Jackie Tran)

Kyle Nottingham, Ares Collective

Art of Plating dish by Kyle Nottingham from Ares Collective (Photo by Jackie Tran)
Art of Plating dish by Kyle Nottingham from Ares Collective (Photo by Jackie Tran)

Gina Skelton, First We Eat Catering

Art of Plating dish by Gina Skelton from First We Eat Catering (Photo by Jackie Tran)
Art of Plating dish by Gina Skelton from First We Eat Catering (Photo by Jackie Tran)

David Solorzano, Penca

Art of Plating dish by David Solorzano from Penca (Photo by Jackie Tran)
Art of Plating dish by David Solorzano from Penca (Photo by Jackie Tran)

Dominique Stoller, Doma’s Delights Catering & Personal Chef

Art of Plating dish by Dominique Stoller from Doma's Delights Catering & Personal Chef (Photo by Jackie Tran)
Art of Plating dish by Dominique Stoller from Doma’s Delights Catering & Personal Chef (Photo by Jackie Tran)

Matt Thompson, Nook

Art of Plating dish by Matt Thompson from Nook (Photo by Jackie Tran)
Art of Plating dish by Matt Thompson from Nook (Photo by Jackie Tran)

Award winners

The votes were close, but two victors emerged. Gina Skelton from First We Eat Catering won the People’s Choice award, while John Martinez from Tito & Pep won the Judges’ Choice award.

Here are additional photos from the night:

Article written by:

Jackie Tran

Jackie 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.

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@Talegacoffee at 177 N. Church Ave. transforms into @_Velvetcowboy after 4 pm, bringing cocktails, tapas, disco lights, and a lively bar atmosphere to the same space. The dual concept comes from the team behind Talega Coffee Co., with coffee and scratch-made breakfast and lunch served during the day, followed by happy hour and bar service at night.

Velvet Cowboy’s grand opening is Oct. 16, with upcoming events including drag brunches, DJs, and live music.🪩 

“Opening this place feels a little surreal. To now have a space where we can bring together coffee, food, art, booze, and all the weird things we love feels like a reflection of how far we’ve come.” —Tyler Melo 

Photos courtesy of @_velvetcowboy 
Read @jackie_tran_’s article on Tucsonfoodie.com

#tucsonnews@Talegacoffee at 177 N. Church Ave. transforms into @_Velvetcowboy after 4 pm, bringing cocktails, tapas, disco lights, and a lively bar atmosphere to the same space. The dual concept comes from the team behind Talega Coffee Co., with coffee and scratch-made breakfast and lunch served during the day, followed by happy hour and bar service at night. Velvet Cowboy’s grand opening is Oct. 16, with upcoming events including drag brunches, DJs, and live music.🪩 “Opening this place feels a little surreal. To now have a space where we can bring together coffee, food, art, booze, and all the weird things we love feels like a reflection of how far we’ve come.” —Tyler Melo Photos courtesy of @_velvetcowboy Read @jackie_tran_’s article on Tucsonfoodie.com #tucsonnews
@Sonoranrestaurantweek runs through September 13, 2026, offering a variety of prix fixe menus across Tucson.🍝🍕

Where to get pizza & Italian durning Sonoran Restaurant Week:

@anello_pizzeria 
@dominicksrealitalian 
@doscabezas
@fentonellispizzeria 
@fiammepizza 
@reillypizza 
@frescotucson 
@zio_peppe_az 

For more details, visit tucsonfoodie.com/srw

#tucsonfoodie #sonoranrestaurantweek@Sonoranrestaurantweek runs through September 13, 2026, offering a variety of prix fixe menus across Tucson.🍝🍕 Where to get pizza & Italian durning Sonoran Restaurant Week: @anello_pizzeria @dominicksrealitalian @doscabezas @fentonellispizzeria @fiammepizza @reillypizza @frescotucson @zio_peppe_az For more details, visit tucsonfoodie.com/srw #tucsonfoodie #sonoranrestaurantweek
@Asaditoszulmyta started with a tent and a grill on Tucson’s south side. Now, a year later, the Salvadoran food stand has grown into a food truck, a Central American market, and a gathering place for Tucson’s Latin American community.

Stop by Asaditos Zulmyta for their grand opening and Central American Independence Day celebration on Sept 12th from 7-10pm! Enjoy free aguas frescas, specials, a DJ, and more. 

Don’t forget to walk over and grab a coffee at @Redcaptaincoffee! 

4004 N Stone Ave, Tucson, AZ 

Thanks for having us, @Asaditoszulmyta!@Asaditoszulmyta started with a tent and a grill on Tucson’s south side. Now, a year later, the Salvadoran food stand has grown into a food truck, a Central American market, and a gathering place for Tucson’s Latin American community. Stop by Asaditos Zulmyta for their grand opening and Central American Independence Day celebration on Sept 12th from 7-10pm! Enjoy free aguas frescas, specials, a DJ, and more. Don’t forget to walk over and grab a coffee at @Redcaptaincoffee! 4004 N Stone Ave, Tucson, AZ Thanks for having us, @Asaditoszulmyta!
This year, 18 Mexican restaurants are participating in @sonoranrestaurantweek from September 4-13. Also, National Hispanic Heritage Month begins immediately afterwards on Sunday, September 15.❤️

Here’s the full list, in alphabetical order. 

@agavehousetucson 
@ameliastucson 
@bktacos 
@bocatucson 
@buendia.breakfast.lunch 
@asadataqueria 
@casadelrioaz 
@elcharro.cafe 
@crudamariscos 
@elmezquitetucson 
@humo.tucson
@lachingadacocina 
@lafridamexicangrill 
@laollamexicancafe 
@nanas_kitchen_2008 
@reformatucson 
@seiskitchen 
@sonoramoonshine 

Don’t forget to upload your receipts to enter our giveaway🎉

More on Tucsonfoodie.com/srw
Presented by @Visittucson 

#tucsonaz #tucsonfoodieThis year, 18 Mexican restaurants are participating in @sonoranrestaurantweek from September 4-13. Also, National Hispanic Heritage Month begins immediately afterwards on Sunday, September 15.❤️ Here’s the full list, in alphabetical order. @agavehousetucson @ameliastucson @bktacos @bocatucson @buendia.breakfast.lunch @asadataqueria @casadelrioaz @elcharro.cafe @crudamariscos @elmezquitetucson @humo.tucson @lachingadacocina @lafridamexicangrill @laollamexicancafe @nanas_kitchen_2008 @reformatucson @seiskitchen @sonoramoonshine Don’t forget to upload your receipts to enter our giveaway🎉 More on Tucsonfoodie.com/srw Presented by @Visittucson #tucsonaz #tucsonfoodie