Nirvana’s Coming to the Desert

What: Nirvana a flavorful state of mind presented by FIJI Water
When: April 27th – 30th, 2017
Where: Sanctuary Camelback Mountain resort and Spa
How Much: Torch Thursday Kickoff Event $125 per person  Birds and Bublles Champaign and Waffles Friday Morning Event $135 to $225 VIP
Friday Night Masters of Taste honoring Chuck Wagner $350 per person (very limited), Saturday Golf Tournament $400 per person, Saturday night Best of the West Hosted by Scot Conant $145 per person $225 VIP per person, Sunday morning New Orleans Jazz & Bourbon Brunch $85 per person

Are you a foodie, foodie wannabe, or simply like food and enjoy being around cool people?  If so, there’s an event coming you should put on your calendar or even make a weekend getaway of it!  “Nirvana, a flavorful state of mind” the first year of an annual event at Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Resort and Spa.  As their press releases states, “Nirvana….brings together festival-goers with world-acclaimed chefs and winemakers for a series of tastings, special meals, and celebrity golf tournament April 27th – the 30th, 2017”.  This wonderful event will be donating a portion of the proceeds to HopeKids, an organization that provides ongoing events, activities and a powerful, unique support community for families who have a child with cancer or some other life-threatening medical condition.

As Beau MacMillan shared with us, the name Nirvana came from a conversation a few years back when he was talking to his boss who was out in New York and Beau asked him where he was and replied “Nirvana” referencing all the great food in New York City.  Take a look at the schedule below…

Torch
Thursday, April 27, 7pm to 10pm
Infinity Pool and Lawn at Sanctuary
$125 per person
Launching this memorable weekend is a kickoff celebration hosted by Chef Robert Irvine, known for his Food Network hits including Restaurant: Impossible and Star Salvation and Jason Asher, owner of Counter Intuitive and Undertow. He’ll join a panel of renowned judges, as well as you and your fellow guests, in choosing which of six mixologist stations deserves the Judge’s Choice and People’s Choice awards for their creation, which you can sample on the spot along with delectable cuisine form six culinary stations.

The tasting excitement begins as Arizona’s famous sunset lights up the mountains beyond Sanctuary’s infinity pool, and continues as Paradise Valley below the resort is bathed in starlight. It’s the perfect time for enjoying dozens of tempting specialties by a team of celebrities gathered together during this one-of-a-kind evening

Birds & Bubbles
Friday, April 28, 7pm to 10pm (6:15pm VIP)
The Views Ballroom and Lawn at Sanctuary
$135 per person, $225 per VIP
Who doesn’t love fried chicken? And who doesn’t love Champagne or sparkling wine? Put great birds and bubbles together, and “Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner” takes on a whole new magic. Todd English will host six renowned guest chefs: Lindsay Autry of The Regional Kitchen and Public House, Justin Beckett of Southern Rail, Cullen Campbell of Crudo and Okra, Clay Conley of Buccan and Grato, Stephen Jones of Larder and The Delta/Homboy’s Hotsauce, Jeremy Pacheco of LON’S at the Hermosa Inn, Gio Osso of Virtu Honest Craft and Beau MacMillan of elements and Sanctuary.

Each will prepare their own unique fried chicken recipe, enhanced with other specialties and of course the bubbles as well as live music from renowned singer songwriter D. Vincent Williams that make this an extra spirited event . Take your choice of general or VIP admission, which provides up close and personal time with your favorite chefs as well as preferred seating in the Sanctuary ballroom, after enjoying magnificent sunset views from the lawn overlooking Camelback Mountain.

Mast of Taste honoring Chuck Wagner
Friday, April 28, 7pm to 10pm
Casa Seven at Sanctuary
$350 per person, limited availability
No family has played a bigger role in Napa Valley winemaking history than that of Owner and Winemaker at Camus Vineyards Chuck Wagner, whose parents were born to pioneers that helped shape the industry from the late nineteenth century to the present day. This scion of the Wagner Family of Wine, which includes Caymus, Conundrum, Mer Soleil, Red Schooner and Emmolo, arrives with pairings for an exclusive five-course dinner in one of Sanctuary’s most luxurious private homes.

Three guest chefs — Matt Carter of Fat Ox and The Mission, Christopher Gross of Christopher’s and Crush, Mark Tarbell of Tarbell’s and Tarbell’s Tavern — join Beau MacMillan elements and Sanctuary in honoring the celebrated winemaker…presenting an inspired appetizer, salad, entrée, side dish and dessert that showcase their distinctive culinary talents. Accompanied by thoughtful wine choices and dramatic views from Casa Seven’s wall of glass, this tribute to a living legend will be an event to remember.

Golf Tournament
Saturday, April 29, 10:30am registration & 12pm tee
Mountain Shadows
$400 per player
Each foursome will be paired with a renowned chef, star mixologist and other notable sports figures at this fun-filled celebrity golf tournament being played at the long-awaited Mountain Shadows course located at the base of Camelback Mountain. Plenty of food, beer and spirits will round out an unforgettable day on the links.

Whether you prefer to arrange your own foursome or join fellow golfers with an interest in Nirvana’s sporting highlight, get ready for an afternoon that shows off Mountain Shadows’ course at its best. Stunning mountain and desert vistas live up to Sanctuary’s own spectacular setting, and the spring weather — complete with wildflowers in bloom — makes it a special pleasure to enjoy golf in the Arizona sunshine.

Best of the West
Saturday, April 29, 7pm to 10pm (6:15pm VIP)
Praying Monk & elements restaurant
$145 per person, $225 VIP
The centerpiece of Sanctuary’s culinary wonders is elements, known for dramatic views of the surrounding mountain vistas and sunsets behind Camelback Mountain…exceeded only by the superior service and Chef Beau MacMillan’s award-winning farm-fresh American cuisine with Asian accents.

During this final evening of Nirvana, elements and its indoor/outdoor Praying Monk venue welcome guests to stations where they’ll meet host Scott Conant Chef/Restauranteur of Mora Italian and Chopped Judge plus celebrated guests including: Chuck Wiley of Mountain Shadows, Sean Currid of Blue Hound Kitchen & Cocktails, James Porter of Terra Farm + Manor, Samantha Sanz of Talavera at the Four Seasons Scottsdale Troon North, and Beau MacMillan of elements and Sanctuary. As the chefs showcase their specialties paired with beer, wine and spirits, VIP attendees will be treated to extra time with these celebrities — delighting connoisseurs who recognize the difference of food and beverages created by the hands of masters.

New Orleans Jazz Bourbon & Brunch
Sunday, April 30, 11am to 1pm
elements at Sanctuary
$85 per person
Forget everything you know about jambalaya and muffulettas. You haven’t tasted the best of the Big Easy until you’ve savored this festive brunch with a focus on bourbon. What better way to conclude the weekend than a tribute to relaxation N’Awlins style, complete with a jazz band to provide just the right flavor of music.

Discover your favorite dishes at this sit down event featuring traditional classics and innovative creations that highlight the talents of each participant. From decadent étouffées to feather-light beignets, you’ll be transported to the majestic grandeur of the Old South with a feisty Caribbean twist, all brought together in a salute to what makes New Orleans great…the perfect finale to a festival of Nirvana.

This is a weekend full of events you don’t want to miss.  Book your staycation  and get your tickets before the Nirvana is sold out!

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