PHOENIX, ARIZONA — (July 24, 2012) — The 8th Annual Phoenix Cooks! will be bursting with delicious desert flavors this Labor Day weekend with culinary experiences to sip, taste, learn and shop, while supporting Phoenix Children’s Hospital. Escape the heat and Ignite Your Appetite at Phoenix Cooks!

Event Highlights Include:
• Sixteen intimate cooking classes taught by the valley’s best, highlighting wine, spirits, delectable dishes, Alaskan beer and more. Topics include: “What’s Hot in the World of Wine”, “Argentinean Grilling” and “Olive Oil 101” a guided tour of uniquely flavored olive oils with local favorite Queen Creek Olive Mill.
• Four live interactive cooking demonstrations, sponsored by Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting, beginning every half hour. Watch as top chefs go head-to-head using mystery ingredients, or demonstrate how to craft their restaurant’s signature dish. Hosted by Clear Channel Radio and local media personalities.
• NEW! July and August introduce the Phoenix Cooks! Beverages with Benefits drink series. In the months leading up to Phoenix Cooks, participating restaurants will offer Phoenicians exceptional offers on specialty wine and cocktails with partial proceeds benefiting Phoenix Children’s Hospital. The complete list is available at http://www.phoenixcooks.com/beverages-with-benefits/.
• NEW! This year, we’re introducing Foodie Favorite. Attendees will vote on the best culinary creation and the most beautiful booth design, to declare the Phoenix Cooks! Foodie Favorite!

For more information, the full schedule of events and to purchase tickets visit phoenixcooks.com. General admission tickets – including all food, wine, beer, spirit samplings and stage demonstrations – are $75 in advance and $90 at the door. Classes are an additional $10/person per class. Tickets available for purchase now!

Executive Chef and Partner

Executive Chef

-Executive Chef

CALENDAR LISTING
The 8th Annual Phoenix Cooks! will ignite your appetite on Saturday, September 1, 2012 at the Westin Kierland Resort & Spa. Phoenix Cooks! is a colorful landscape of ingredients, products, talents and passions designed to intrigue the palette and zest for culinary experiences, while supporting Phoenix Children’s Hospital.

When: Saturday, September 1, 2012 from 10:00am – 3:00pm Where: Westin Kierland Resort & Spa
6902 East Greenway Parkway, Scottsdale, AZ 85254

Details: Join more than 3,000 Valley food and beverage enthusiasts in a culinary wonderland this Labor Day at the 8th annual Phoenix Cooks! Taste, sip, and socialize with more than 50 of the best local chefs and restaurants providing unique delicacies found exclusively in our backyard. With more than 30 wine, beer and mixology sampling booths, Phoenix Cooks! is sure to quench your thirst. Learn from the experts through Phoenix Cooks! cooking classes to become a master chef at home. Watch the experts as they prepare their specialty dishes live and compete in duels, all heating up four cooking stages. Make your Labor Day plans now and save by purchasing your tickets in advance. Proceeds benefit Phoenix Children’s Hospital.

Tickets: $75 in advance, $90 at the door. Tickets can be purchased beginning July 9, 2012 at www.PhoenixCooks.com. The Westin Kierland will be providing a special Phoenix Cooks weekend
package.

Participants: More than 50 Valley restaurants including T.Cook’s at The Royal Palms, Prado at the Montelucia, Sushi Roku at W Scottsdale, Mastro’s, Orange Sky at Talking Stick, The Ritz-Carlton Phoenix, Different Pointe of View, Hyatt Regency at Gainey Ranch, Sassi, The Mission, deseo at the Westin Kierland and many more!