Nirvana Festival welcomes celeb chefs

The Sanctuary on Camelback already is a dining destination, with celebrated chef Beau MacMillan at the helm of the resort’s restaurant, Elements. In late April, it hopes to become a culinary powerhouse with the launch of a four-day festival.

Set for April 27-30, Nirvana Culinary Festival will feature MacMillan, along with celebrity chefs Todd English, Robert Irvine and Scott Conant. They will be joined by some of the Valley’s best chefs and mixologists.

The resort already brings in wellknown chefs during its annual Lunch & Learn series, so Nirvana is a natural extension of that event.

“Scottsdale is exploding with extraordinary talent, and Nirvana is a great way for the participating chefs to connect with our community and be a part of the metamorphosis,” MacMillan said. “I hope Nirvana will feed the passion that our Valley has for excellent food and drink, and also inspire more neighbors to get involved and explore all that our community has to offer.”

Nirvana will feature six signature events throughout the four days. Here’s the rundown.

Torch

Irvine, a Food Network star, teams with Jason Asher, owner of Counter Intuitive and Under Tow, to host this Polynesian-themed mixology competition that takes place poolside. Judges and guests get to decide on the best cocktails of the evening.

Details: 7-10 p.m. Thursday, April 27. Infinity Pool and Lawn. $125.

Birds and Bubbles

English, a celebrity chef, restaurateur and author, hosts this unique event, which showcases fried chicken and champagne. Local chefs, including Stephen Jones, Cullen Campbell and Justin Beckett, will present their creations of the Southern dish. Joining them are guest chefs Clay Conley and Lindsay Autry from Palm Beach, Fla. D. Vincent Williams and The Nashville All-Stars perform.

Details: 7-10 p.m. Friday, April 28. The Views Ballroom and Lawn. $135. $225 for VIP.