The R&D Dinner series is rollin’ strong and after a few successful events, we’re ready to announce the next feast: a multi-course meal with Chef Dee Buizer of the former Senae Thai Bistro.
This dinner is being held at Saffron Indian Bistro at 7607 N. Oracle Rd. from 6 – 9 p.m. on Tuesday, May 21.
If you had the opportunity to taste Chef Buizer’s food at Senae, you know this dinner isn’t to be missed. She was born in Bangkok — Thailand’s metropolis-melting pot of cuisine. She opened her first restaurant Sweet Basil in Berkely, California 30 years ago. With the help of family, she went on to open several additional restaurants in California, Maryland, and Arizona.
How to Reserve a Seat
Seating is extremely limited at this event — there are less than 10 seats left! Tickets are $65 per person with the option to add a beer pairing for an extra $35 or a cocktail pairing for $35.
These tickets are available exclusively to members of Tucson Foodie Insiders, who can make their reservations directly in the Tucson Foodie mobile app.
R&D Dinner Menu
Appetizer
- Miang Khum Roll – Thai herbal snack consists of Betel leaf filled with minced ginger, minces lime, toasted and shredded coconut, and red onions sauced with palm sugar glaze and rolled in rice paper
Salad
- Som Thum – Thai fresh green papaya, purple carrots, and long beans tossed with crushed peanuts, garlic, and chili in lime-palm sugar dressing
Soup
- Thom Kha Hed – coconut milk mushroom spicy-sour soup
Main Course (served family style)
- Kao Pad Sapparos – fried rice with pineapple, curry powder, and vegetables
- Ped Pikpao – braised breasts of duck served atop green beans “pik pao” — Thai chili puree and garlic sauce garnished with fried basil
- Panang Bison – bison short ribs stewed in panang curry and coconut milk, served in kabucha squash bowl, garnished with tempura eggplant
Dessert
- Fresh Mango – served atop forbidden rice and seasoned with semi-sweet coconut sauce
Become an Insider!
The Tucson Foodie Insiders membership offers more than just these experiential R&D dinners.
As an Insider, you also gain exclusive access to mixer events, early invitations, discounts to Tucson’s top food and beverage extravaganzas, and other special perks. All of this is managed through the Tucson Foodie members’ app, ensuring a seamless, convenient experience.
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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.















