FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Media Contacts: Scott Andrews
West of Western Culinary Festival
602.262.5652
info@westofwestern.com

Mark Patel
Phoenix Art Museum
602-257-2112
mark.patel@phxart.org

WEST OF WESTERN CULINARY FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP
AND PICTURESQUE NEW LOCATION

Annual festival set to engage the senses at Phoenix Art Museum,
March 15-16, 2008

 

December 12, 2007 (Phoenix, Ariz.)- West of Western Culinary Festival, an annual culinary festival bringing together some of the most renowned chefs in Arizona, announced today a new partnership with Phoenix Art Museum, as the Museum will serve as host and co-presenter of the 4th Annual West of Western Culinary Festival, March 15-16, 2008. The Festival features more than 50 of Arizona’s top chefs for a weekend of fine food, education, and entertainment in central Phoenix.

“We couldn’t be happier about partnering with Phoenix Art Museum for this year’s West of Western festival,” said David Johnson, West of Western wine director. “Not only will we be able to expand our educational and entertainment offerings, but I can’t imagine a more breathtaking location to enjoy the finest food Arizona’s chefs have to offer.”

The new location will add much needed indoor space to this typically outdoor event, providing sumptuous environs in the Museum’s Great Hall for The Wine Table, a tasting of more than 70 wines from around the world. Additionally, the new location will provide room for new programming that will include talks and interactive seminars about cooking and the dining experience as an art form.

The Festival is scheduled to take place during one of Phoenix Art Museum’s most highly-anticipated exhibitions, Masterpiece Replayed: Monet, Matisse and More, which explores the concept of repetition in 19th and 20th century French art. More than 70 paintings, drawings and sculptures, on loan from 31 leading art institutions across the world, will be on display during this first-of-its-kind exhibition. General admission to the Museum will be included in the Festival ticket price.

“We are thrilled to serve as the host for this year’s event,” said James K. Ballinger, director of Phoenix Art Museum. “This event will bring together the perfect blend of the culinary arts with the visual arts, in what we hope will be another opportunity for visitors to enjoy our newly expanded Phoenix Art Museum and one of our most significant exhibitions.”

West of Western will feature more than 50 of Arizona’s top Executive Chefs, Chefs de Cuisine, Pastry Chefs, and their crews, providing a flurry of activity over the weekend as they prepare and cook their specialties. Each day a different group of chefs will present at the Festival. The Festival will also feature new food, wine, and restaurant trends, along with cooking classes for children and adults. Presented by local chefs, local and national food and wine writers, and restaurant critics, the programming is presented at no extra charge in this all-encompassing event.

“The garden party-like atmosphere lets guests see the art of the kitchen up close, while chefs take time to answer questions about ingredients and technique,” Johnson said. “The informal competition between the chefs has led to greater extravagance in food and display each year, as the restaurants try to outshine each other, and the stunning new location of the Phoenix Art Museum will certainly add to the fanfare of the event.”

This year’s Festival will also feature the Desert Diversity Expo, organized by Slow Food Phoenix and Community Food Connections, presenting non-profit food heritage organizations like Native Seed/SEARCH and TOCA, and Arizona growers and specialty food companies. Additionally, live music will be featured on two stages in the Museum’s Dorrance Sculpture Garden and Great Hall, providing accompaniment to the chefs.

Event Details:

Date: March 15-16, 2008

Time: Noon - 5:00 pm

Location: Phoenix Art Museum
McDowell Road & Central Avenue
1625 N. Central Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85004
Advance
Tickets:
$75, adult full day wine & food pass
$67, adult full day food only pass
$22 youth full day pass (9 -15)
*Under 9, free admission with adult.

Tickets and details available January 2008.

Website:www.westofwestern.com

Sponsors: West of Western Culinary Festival is presented in partnership with Phoenix Art Museum, Community Food Connections and Slow Food Phoenix. Made possible by the generosity of the chefs of Arizona, our participating wineries and the dedication of our volunteers. Produced by Cakewalk Projects.