It’s a big month for food, drink events
Foodies will have a blast this month with festivals devoted to pizza, olive oil, bacon, beer, chocolate and the Valley's diverse cuisine. You might even spot celebrity chefs like Mario Batali and Scott Conant.
Here are the top 10 food and drink events in November.
Bacon, Blues and Brews Fest
Nosh on a variety of bacon-centric dishes and wash it all down with craft beers from North Mountain Brewing Company, Belching Beaver Brewery and more. O.H.S.O. Eatery + Nanobrewery will feature two special bacon beers. Common Ground Blues, The Sugar Thieves and Rebel Heart are among the performers, and children can enjoy activities in the kids zone.
Noon-8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5. Founders Park, 22407 S. Ellsworth Road, Queen Creek. $8 in advance, $12 at the door, free for children ages 12 and younger. $65 for VIP tickets. 480-5866711, baconbluesand brewsaz.com.
azcentral.com Food & Wine Experience
The Grand Tasting will feature samples of wines, craft beers, spirits and dozens of restaurants. Expand your culinary horizons with cooking demonstrations, chef panels and seminars. Also, check out Experiences such as Native Harvest, East Meets West and The Grand Finale, all led by top Valley talent. Celeb chefs Mario Batali and Scott Conant are special guests on Saturday and Sunday, respectively. The festival opens with a First Course reception Friday evening that benefits The Joy Bus.
Nov. 4-6. Grand Tasting 1-4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5, and Sunday, Nov. 5. $90 for general admission, $120 for VIP admission, $65 for designated-driver tickets. Arizona Republic subscribers get $10 off a Grand Tasting ticket. Experience prices vary by event. Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, Loop 101 and Indian Bend Road, Salt River Reservation, near Scottsdale. 866-977-6849, azcentralfoodand wine.com.
Scottsdale Beer & Music Festival
Sample from more than 50 craft beers at this all-inclusive event. Participating breweries include Elysian Brewing Company, Portland Cider Company, Golden Road Brewing and Alesmith Brewing Company. AZ/ DZ, an AC/DC cover band, and Run 2 Cover, will perform. Food will also be available.
7-10 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5. Maya Day + Nightclub, 7333 E. Indian Plaza, Scottsdale. $35 for general admission, $50 for VIP admission. scottsdale-beerfest ival.com.
Olivepalooza Harvest Party
Celebrate olive season at Queen Creek Olive Mill with grove tours and tastings of olive oil directly from the milling machine. The festival also features cooking demonstrations and workshops, live music, craft vendors and food trucks. Chairs, blankets and dogs on leash outside are allowed.
11 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5. Queen Creek Olive Mill, 25062 S. Meridian Drive. Free. 480-888-9290, queencreek olivemill.com.
Live & Local
returns Nov. 19 to Margaret T. Hance Park.
Presented by GoDaddy, this celebration is a fundraiser for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale. Guests can sample tasty bites from restaurants like Farm & Craft, Postino Winecafe, Fleming's Prime Steakhouse and Paul Martin's American Grill. IAMWE is the headlining music act, with Tripwire and Whiskey's Quicker among the opening bands. The event is open to guests 21 and older.
5-9 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 6. Scottsdale Civic Center Mall, 3939 N. Drinkwater Blvd. $75 for general admission, $175 for VIP admission. 480344-5520, bgcs.org/fund raiser/live-local-2016.
Chandler Chuck Wagon Cook-Off
Get a taste of the Wild West at this familyfriendly event where cooks compete in authentic 1880s chuck wagons to make the best meals using slow, wood-fired methods. The five-course meals will be available for purchase, and other entertainment includes live music, tours, storytelling and vendors.
9 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 11-12. Tumbleweed Ranch, 2250 S. McQueen Road, Chandler. Free. 480-7822000, chandleraz.gov.
Cooks & Corks
Mel Mecinas of Talavera Restaurant, Matt Carter from The Mission and Zinc Bistro and Todd Allison from T. Cook's are among the chefs participating in this culinary event hosted by the Scottsdale League for the Arts. The wine list includes selections from Cellar 433, Ferrari-Carano Vineyards & Winery, Quintessential Wines and J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines. Other highlights include live music, a silent auction, arts and crafts and photo booth. Proceeds benefit art programs and a local veterans organization.
6:30-9:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 11. Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North, 10600 E. Crescent Moon Drive. $125 for general admission, $175 for VIP admission.
Chiles & Chocolate
Local vendors will showcase their unique takes on chile and chocolate, from gourmet chocolates to spicy sauces. All products will be available for purchase, and a full cash bar will feature two specialty martinis: chocolate and spicy cucumber. DJ Seduce will perform all three days, Juan Pino will play on Friday and Alma Phoenix Bachata will be there on Saturday.
10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday through Sunday, Nov. 11-13. Desert Botanical Garden, 1201 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix. Entrance included with garden admission. $20-$22 for adults, $12 for students, $10 for children ages 3-12, free for garden members and children ages 2 and younger. 480941-1225, dbg.org.
Slider Throwdown
Food trucks will battle it out for the best slider. The trucks include 2 Fat Guys Grilled Cheese, Jamburritos Cajun Grille and Chicken and Waffles For The People. The '80s cover band Rock Lobster will perform. Tickets include one slider from a participating food truck. Beverages can be purchased at the cash bar.
Noon-3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 13. Kierland Commons, Greenway Parkway and Scottsdale Road, Phoenix. $25. 602252-9445, affcf.org/ events-2/ sliderthrowdown/tickets.
Phoenix Pizza Festival
The festival will feature more than 15 pizza vendors offering slices for $2 to $4. Restaurants include Freak Brothers Pizza, Fiamme Pizza, Rosati's and La Piazza Al Forno. Helio Basin Brewing Company, That Brewery, Wren House Brewing Company and O.H.S.O. Brewery + Distillery will sell their craft brews. The event includes live music, vendors, lawn games and a kids zone.
11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19. Margaret T. Hance Park, 1202 N. Third St., Phoenix. $10. phoenix.pizza.