Twinkie Twinkie, Seeing Stars
Food trucks continue to set the roads on fire, buzzing around town from event to event. This weekend, though, the biggest convergence of food trucks ever assembled in Arizona will take place at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale. Last year, nearly 20,000 people showed up at the Street Eats Food Truck Festival and brought the food truck operators to their knees. This year, the number of trucks has more than doubled and their menu items will better accommodate large crowds. So what's that mean? Better event, better times, and you better go!
Street Eats promises to be a total blast -- all weekend there's live bands, cooking demonstrations, and tons of food truck food. About 50 trucks are scheduled to appear, and many of them are making the journey from neighboring states. Haulin' Balls will bring their famous meatballs from Vegas, Devilicious will sling lobster grilled cheese once they arrive from San Diego, and Bitchin' Burgers will grill 'em up once they get in from the California coast as well. But all of your AZ faves will be there, including Burgermania, Old Dixie's fried chicken, Phil the Grill, J-Licious Tacos, and Mellow Mushroom.
Bars will be operated by Whiskey River Saloon, Upper Crust Pizza Patio & Wine Bar, Majerle's Sports Grill, and Firehouse.
There's a Sub-Zero/Wolf cooking demonstration stage with great chefs all weekend, but two celebrity chefs are coming in just for the Fest. On Saturday at 1pm, catch Geoffrey Zakarian, Iron Chef on The Food Network's hit show Iron Chef America and judge on The Food Network's Chopped. On Sunday, don't miss the 1pm demo by Adam Richman, host of Man vs. Food, Man vs. Food Nation, and Adam Richman's Best Sandwich in America, all on the Travel Channel.
There will be a badass VIP Tent operated by Chef Aaron May's LTB Concepts, the gang behind The Lodge, Praying Monk, and Renegade Tap & Kitchen. VIP tix include light apps, $20 in food tickets, six alcoholic drinks, and unlimited soda and water.
And another area, the "Stark Raving Un-Wine-D Lounge," will offer guests eight wine tastings with food pairings. On the food side, expect assorted cheeses, caprese skewers, shrimp shooters, beef chimi churi, desserts, and much more. On the wine side, expect Chandon Rośe, Moët Ice, Chalone Chardonnay, A BY Acacia Pinot Noir, Terrazas Malbec, Stellina di Notte Prosecco, Clicquot Demi Sec, Newton Merlot Unfiltered, and others.
On both days, EATERAZ is helping to organize some insane eating contests on the main stage. Hit up the Street Eats website for entry forms, or hope for a spot if you're at the main stage prior to the contests. Each day, the insanity goes like this:
1:15pm -- Hot Dog Eating Contest
2:30pm -- Pie Eating Contest
3:45pm -- Twinkie Eating Contest
More on the Twinkie Eating contest tomorrow. Actually, it's a sweet surprise, so stay tuned...
Street Eats is this Saturday and Sunday (January 12th & 13th) from 11am to 6pm each day. Tickets are $10 (kids 12 and under are free); $35 for access to the wine-tasting lounge; $60 for the LTB Concepts VIP Tent. Parking is free.
Liquor brands set up shop on the tasting floor and sampled their products, while seminars took place in break out rooms throughout the three days. At night, it was all about bartender competitions, dinners, and parties. We caught up with Abou-Ganim as day three was getting underway (and our Woodford Reserve Double Barrel buzz was finally wearing off - that stuff's delicious!)
Listen to him chat about why mixology matters and why, apparently, it's time for somebody to finally serve Aaron DeFeo a drink. Congrats to everyone who made this event a success!