Last year, we brought the R&D dinner experience to Tucson — a chef-led dinner series, inspired by Tasting Collective’s popular model running in 20+ cities around the country.
These monthly dinners are designed to be a two-way conversation between guests and Chef. Restaurants serve multi-course meals featuring experimental dishes planned for future menus and guests provide feedback via comment cards and conversations with the restaurant’s Executive Chef. The evening concludes with a chat with the chef, who is also on the floor explaining each dish and interacting directly with guests throughout the night.
The next Tucson Foodie R&D Dinner will be with Chef Anthony Dromgoole of OBON Sushi Bar and Ramen from 6 – 9 p.m. on Monday, October 28.
Earlier this month, Chef Dromgoole in front of hundreds of local foodies at Desert Diamond Casino Sahuarita, came out on top at Iron Chef Tucson 2024. Almost immediately after he was crowned champion, the chef proposed to his girlfriend in front of the crowd (she said “yes”).
Check out our February 2024 article, “Nine on the Line: Chef Anthony Dromgoole.”
At this event, you’ll be some of the first to experience the brand-new menu. The dishes will be available first for Tucson Foodie Insiders before they’re released to the public!
Tickets are $65 per person, available for purchase in the Tucson Foodie App, and reserved for Tucson Foodie Insiders (just one of the perks of joining the monthly culinary club).
R&D Dinner Menu
- Salad – arugula, beech mushroom, toasted rice, negi, Asian pear, nori coconut vinaigrette
- Karage – oyster mushroom, chicken thigh, spicy mayo, tofu aioli
- Bluefin Tasting – Akami, Chutoro, Otoro
- Wagyu Tartare – A5, capers, shallot, kewpie, yuzu, crispy rice
- Scallop Crudo – pickled onion, roasted corn, chimichurri
- Steak Rice Bowl – mushroom, egg, kizami, negi, caramelized onion
Drink Pairing Option ($30 extra)
- Cherroni – gin, grenadine, cherry blossom
- OBON Sake
- Matcha Highball – whiskey, honey, matcha, lemon
Get your seat at the table soon! Space is limited.
For more information and to purchase tickets, open the Tucson Foodie app. OBON Sushi Bar and Ramen is located at 350 E. Congress St. For more information, visit obonsushi.com.
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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.
