Fall Food & Drink Festivals…Lamb Chops, Tacos, Beer and Brats, Oh My!

What: Fall Food Festivals
The Cuisine: Lamb Chops, Tacos, Beer and Brats, Oh My!
Where: Great Phoenix Metro Area
By: Laura Stoddard

September kicks off a vast and varied food festival season around the valley, so mark your calendar for some of these unique and delicious events.

13^th Annual Phoenix Cooks | Sep 2 | Phoenix
http://www.phoenixcooks.com
Valley foodies can sample cuisines from more than 50 local culinary experts in the restaurant and beverage industry, make the rounds to more than 30 wine, beer and mixology sampling booths, and participate in classroom and stage demonstrations displaying exciting new recipes and techniques.
Cost:  $65-90 | 10 am–3 pm | Westin Kierland Resort & Spa.

Roosevelt Row Chile Pepper Festival 2017 | Sep 4 | Phoenix
https://www.everfest.com/e/roosevelt-row-chile-pepper-festival-phoenix-az
Prepare for a fun-filled afternoon in one of Phoenix’s most vibrant, downtown gathering hubs, Roosevelt Row. Expect to enjoy on-site chile roasting and cooking demos by some of the best chefs in the valley, live music, salsa dancing, kids zone, talent show, beer garden and a gourmet margarita station.
Cost: Free | 4–11 pm | Roosevelt Arts District.

Arizona Restaurant Week: Fall | Sep 15-24 | Statewide
http://arizonarestaurantweek.com/
More than 200 restaurants offer specialty prix-fixe dinners. This statewide affair offers foodies a wealth of dining opportunities and the chance to get outside their own neighborhood and try something new. From sizzling Southwestern and soothing comfort foods to five-star dining and international fare – it’s all on the table during Arizona Restaurant Week.
Cost: $33 or $44|Statewide.

6^th Annual Rockin’ Taco Street Fest | Sep 16 | Chandler
https://www.rockintacoaz.com/
A food, music and cultural celebration featuring creative tacos from dozens of local restaurants. Also on the menu will be delicious desserts and beverages. The event will include live entertainment, Lucha Libre wrestling, a low-rider car show, taco eating competitions, a salsa competition, Chihuahua races, a play zone for the kids and a piñata party.
Cost: $8 online presale, $10 day of |Children 12 and under Free, with a paid adult | Doors open at noon| Dr. A.J. Chandler Park.

Taste America Weekend | Sep 21-23 | Paradise Valley
https://www.jamesbeard.org/taste-america-phoenix
The Fifth Annual Taste America® national culinary tour is a weekend-long program featuring celebrity chef appearances, cooking demonstrations, book signings, tastings from local producers and artisans, and a celebration of food unlike anything you’ve ever experienced before. Each day features unique  dining experiences, with different culinary titans, at various locations around the valley.
Cost: Beginning at $275 per person for entire weekend |Various dates and times for events—check website | Mountain Shadow Resort, plus various valley locations—check website.

2017 10^th Annual Santan Brewing October Fest | Sep 30 | Chandler
https://www.santanoktoberfest.com/
Highlights of this rollicking celebration include live entertainment, like music and dancing, and a fantastic array of uproarious competitions. Don’t miss your chance to compete in the beer pong tournament, bag toss, buddy carry, keg stacking, tricycle races, or bratwurst eating contests. After all that, grab a cold frothy one, take a seat, and enjoy the wiener dog races.
Cost:  $12-15 | 3:00-11:00 pm | Dr. A.J. Chandler Park.

Schnepf Farms Pumpkin & Chili Party | Sep 30-Oct 29 | Queen Creek
http://www.schnepffarms.com/event/pumpkin-chili-party-2/
Fun abounds at this 23rd Annual fall festival, with activities like Hillbilly Bob’s pig races, spooky train rides, live entertainment, carousel, roller coaster and hay wagon rides, petting barn, corn mazes, bon fires, a pumpkin patch, BMX and Frisbee dog shows, and fireworks! And of course, don’t forget to load up on their signature chili and cornbread.
Cost: $15 discount tickets at Fry’s, or $19+ tax at the door; Free for children under 2 | Thu & Sun 10am–9 pm; Fri-Sat 10am–10pm | Schnepf Farms.

11^th Annual Taste of the Biltmore | Oct 12 | Phoenix
https://www.nbazcharities.org/NBAZCharities/TasteOfTheBiltmore/
This highly anticipated, upscale block party invites residents from the entire valley to participate in the “unofficial” kick-off to the AZ charity event season. Dozens of participating restaurants, such as The Herb Box, O.H.S.O., Seasons 52, Boss Pizza Bar, and Z’Tejas will be on hand for tastings and demonstrations.
Cost:  $75 | 6:00-9:00 pm | National Bank of Arizona, 6001 N. 24th Street, Phoenix, 85016.

Vintage and Vino Fall 2017 | Oct 13-14 | Queen Creek
http://vintageandvinoaz.com/
This bi-annual event is the Southeast Valley’s premiere vintage market, featuring handmade goods and crafts provided by local artisans. Enjoy food, coffee and snacks, as well as a wine tasting for the adults, and craft corner for the kids.
Cost: Check website—information unavailable at this time | Hours: Check website—information unavailable at this time | Horseshoe Park and Equestrian Centre.

Four Peaks Oktoberfest at Tempe Town Lake 2017 | Oct 13-15 | Tempe
http://www.tempeoktoberfest.com/
This three-day German extravaganza features eight stein-filling beer stations, live music from traditional German bands, a weiner dog race, carnival rides, foot races, a bratwurst eating competition, and kids activities.
Cost: Check website—information unavailable at this time | Hours: Check website—information unavailable at this time |Tempe Town Lake.

57^th Annual Greater Phoenix Greek Festival | Oct 13-15 | Phoenix
http://phoenixgreekfestival.org/event-info/
Opa! It’s the 57th annual Phoenix Greek Festival. Enjoy authentic food, traditional dancing, a kids carnival area, and shopping in the Agora Greek Market for jewelry, clothing, artwork, gourmet baked goods, and more.
Cost: Adults $3, children 12 and under Free | Oct 13, 5–10 pm, Oct 14, 11 am–10 pm, Oct 15, 11am-8pm |Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Community Center, 1973 E. Maryland Ave., Phoenix.

Outstanding in the Field | Oct 20 | Gilbert
https://www.visitarizona.com/events/food-wine-and-beer/outstanding-in-the-field-1
Farmers Doug and Penny McCollum host an upscale, organic, culinary experience like no other. Guests sit at a long, outdoor table, surrounded by rows of crops and fruit orchards, groves of date palms and olives, chicken and duck eggs and sweet honey. This year, celebrity chef, Cullen Campbell, will be returning for the third time with a cornucopia of ingredients to prepare and serve a gourmet meal feast in the great outdoors.
Cost: $225 | 2 pm | The Farm at Agritopia.

8^th Annual Arizona Taco Festival | Oct 14-15 | Scottsdale
http://aztacofestival.com
50+ professional and amateur taco teams compete for $10,000 in prizes, trying to procure their very best in chicken, beef, pork and fish tacos. Enjoy a sidecart throwdown in salsa and guacamole, Lucha Libre wrestling, a tequila tasting tent, live music, and the “Ay Chihuahua!”dog beauty pageant.
Cost: $12 General admission, Add-ons and VIP tickets available for additional charge | 11am–7 pm |Salt River Fields.

Chandler Farmers Market 2017 | Oct 2017-Apr 2018 | Chandler
http://www.downtownchandler.org/farmersmarket/
Held every Thursday, this market features over 30 vendors selling locally grown and made products, live music and family-friendly activities. Items for sale include fresh produce, tamales, salsa, pastries, relishes, honey, tea, crafts, natural beauty products, soaps and much more.
Cost: Free admission | 3-7 pm | Dr. A.J. Chandler Park West.

Supersition Farms SuperFarm Market 2017 | Every Thursday | Mesa
http://www.evstaylocalpassport.com/superstitionfarm/market/
This weekly market specializes in homegrown, homemade, handmade products; produce supplied by Taste of Paradise CSA. Enjoy some of SuperFarm’s own eggs or dairy products (ice cream, farmers cheese, milk and butter) while visiting the free petting zoo or relaxing on a hayride around the farm. And give yourself a night off from cooking, as the market features a different food truck every week.
Cost: Free | 4:30-7:30 pm | 3440 S. Hawes Rd., Mesa.

Phoenix Fashion Week 2017 | Oct 5th – 7th | Talking Stick Resort, Scottsdale
http://phoenixfashionweek.com 
Because we know there will be food and drink, how could we not include this fantastic event at Talking Stick Resort, Phoenix Fashion Week. Phoenix Fashion Week is the leading fashion industry event in the Southwest. The organization’s mission is to bridge the gap between national and international designers, premier retailers and top fashion media. Phoenix Fashion Week’s ultimate goal is to garner global exposure while pushing Arizona fashion forward.
Cost: $50 to $250 | Oct 5th – 7th | Talking Stick Resort, Scottsdale

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