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Annual Nirvana Food & Wine Festival to be held in April

Posted 1/27/20

Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain Resort and Spa has announced the return of the Nirvana Food and Wine Festival, from April 16-19.

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Annual Nirvana Food & Wine Festival to be held in April

Posted

Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain Resort and Spa has announced the return of the Nirvana Food and Wine Festival, from April 16-19.

This year’s event and talent lineup offers up-close and personal access to celebrity chefs, mixologists, winemakers, musicians, television personalities, artists and more through a collection of curated food, beverage and lifestyle experiences, according to a press release.

“This event is one that is so near and dear to my heart,” said Sanctuary’s Executive Chef Beau MacMillan, event mastermind and television personality, in a prepared statement.

“Having the opportunity to celebrate outstanding culinary talent, mixology, music and more alongside some of my closest friends and fellow foodies is a true privilege. Nirvana really offers something for everyone and that’s a big part of what makes the festival such a special experience.”

Chef MacMillan,leading the list of 2020 participants, will headline the event alongside other culinary personalities including Food Network stars, television personalities and restaurateurs Robert Irvine and Scott Conant.

Chef John Tesar, winner of Bravo’s “Top Chef;” Chef Rene Andrade, the visionary behind Tempe, Arizona-based concepts Ghost Ranch and Tempe Public Market Café and Russell LaCasce, executive chef at the famed Hotel Valley Ho in Scottsdale will also participate.

The lineup of celebrity mixologists is led by Jason Asher, former Jade Bar mixologist, who is an award-winning and nationally-acclaimed mixologist, the release noted.

The co-owner and operator of Phoenix outposts UnderTow and Century Grand, will be joined by “The Modern Mixologist” and television personality, Tony Abou-Ganim; Jillian Vose, beverage director at New York City hot spot The Dead Rabbit; Travis Garcia, expert mixologist from Mountain Shadows Resort in neighboring Paradise Valley, Ariz.; Keifer Gilbert, bartender at Scottsdale’s Toca Madera and award-winning Phoenix cocktail bar, Bitter & Twisted Cocktail Parlour.

The annual food and wine festival will unite the “best of the best in food and beverage talent,” the release said, adding that there will be athletes, celebrities, musicians, artists and more.

Guests can expect appearances from celebrities including Nikki and Brie Bella, the Bella Twins, known for their roles in the E! Network programs “Total Divas and “Total Bellas;” actor and comedian Rob Riggle and more.

Phoenix-based artist Gennaro Garcia, known for his multi-media pieces that celebrate his Mexican heritage, will showcase a special art demonstration; and guests can enjoy musical performances from country music stars D. Vincent Williams, Dillon Dixon and Joe Diffy as well as DJ Miss Mixx and DJ Hybrid.

A schedule of headlining events and descriptions are below:

Wood, Wine & Wagyu presented by Far Niente
Date: Thursday, April 16
Tickets: Beginning at $350
The 2020 festival kicks off with culinary talent from across North America preparing Snake River Farms American Wagyu cooked over open-wood flames while celebrity mixologists craft whisky-based cocktails using Woodford Reserve.

Guests will be seated for an intimate, family style dinner with wines hand selected by Far Niente. Country music superstars D. Vincent Williams, Dillon Dixon and Joe Diffy will provide musical accompaniment.

Flutes & Coops
Date: Friday, April 17
Tickets: Beginning at $150
Experience the  Champagne campaign and fried chicken feast headlined by DJ Miss Mixx, Fosterson and 17 of the Valley’s best chefs preparing their best fried chicken recipes. This indoor/outdoor event will feature full bars and cocktails shaken by some of the Valley’s best mixologists with one chef to be crowned king of Flutes & Coops by popular vote.

Tequila & Tortillas
Date: Saturday, April 18
Tickets: Beginning at $125
Held at the Hotel Valley Ho, this year’s Dia de los Muertos-themed Tequila & Tortillas event will feature nearly 20 locally and nationally recognized chefs cooking up the best of the best in southwestern fare.

Several of the Valley’s top cocktailers will be on-site mixing up tequila-based cocktails. There will also be a team “taco takedown” competition, tequila luges and an art presentation by the renowned Gennaro Garcia.

Best of the West
Date: Saturday, April 18
Tickets: Beginning at $175
The biggest event of the weekend, Best of the West will be hosted by Scott Conant and Tony Abou-Ganim and will offer 20 live-action stations showcasing cuisine from the most talented chefs of the Valley and greater Arizona. Set to the backdrop of the Camelback Mountain, this event will also offer live musical performances from Double D and the Nashville Allstars to close out the night.

Rosé Parté
Date: Sunday, April 19
Tickets: Beginning at $150
The star-studded rosé-all-day trend continues with Rosé Parté, co-hosted by Robert Irvine and the Bella Twins. Guests will have the opportunity to mix and mingle with some of the Valley’s top culinary talent as well as taste two-dozen different rosé wines. This brunch-style party will also include craft cocktails, ice carvings, a raw bar and beats by DJ Miss Mixx. 

Tickets to individual events and the entire festival are available for purchase at: nirvanafoodandwine.com/tickets.