AZ Restaurant Association hands out Foodist Awards

The Arizona Restaurant Association unveiled its second annual Foodist Awards winners tonight at the Montelucia Scottsdale. The awards “honor the culinary minds that have helped shape Arizona’s vast culinary landscape.”

Craig DeMarco and Lauren Bailey, the pair behind Postino and Joyride Taco House in Gilbert as well as several restaurants in Phoenix, were named Food Pioneers.

The Original Chop Shop, whose three Valley locations include ones in Tempe and, just this month, Chandler, was named Emerging Restaurant.

2014 Foodist Award winners

• Food Pioneer: Craig DeMarco and Lauren Bailey, Upward Projects
• Top Chef: Gio Osso (pictured above), Virtù, Scottsdale
• Good Neighbor: Community Kitchen (program of St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance)
• Master Mixologist: Steph Teslar, Blue Hound Kitchen & Cocktails, Phoenix
• Emerging Restaurant: The Original Chop Shop, Chandler, Tempe, and Scottsdale
• Outstanding Restaurant Concept: Proof, Scottsdale
• Outstanding Food Truck: Lobster Lady
• Outstanding Multiple Location Restaurant: Mastro’s
• Uniquely Arizona: Elote, Sedona
• Best Dish “Steak”: Durant’s, Phoenix

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