🏆 The Gastronomic Union of Tucson (GUT), a collective of more than three dozen chefs from Arizona’s second-largest city, won best of show at the 15th annual Devour Culinary Classic at the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix on Saturday.
GUT’s team at Devour included Juan Almanza, Kelzi Bartholomaei, Mat Cable, Michael Elefante, Obadiah “Obie” Hindman, Sarah Lamberth, Roderick Ledesmo, and Devon Sanner.
GUT’s winning dishes
Birria Campanelle: Campanella with Barrio Brewing beef birria guisado, cotija, cilantro oil, avocado and lime salsa, and corn crema.
Tacos de Canasta de Calabazo & Cascabel (pictured on left): Mesquite-roasted local white squash, cascabel chiles, pepitas, tepary beans, corn tortilla, pomegranate pickled shallots, azafran vegan crema, mushroom chicharron with Sonoran chile crisp, and mico cilantro.
Jamaica & Limoncello Cheesecake (right)
Other awards
More than 100 top restaurants participated in Arizona’s premier culinary festival. Four – Arizona Wilderness Brewing, Cafe Lalibela, Chilte, and Tia Carmen – receiveddouble gold (the highest of four award designations) from a five-judge panel.
The Rez: An Urban Eatery in Phoenix won the Heritage Food Medal for best dishes with ingredients that are indigenous, low-water, or locally sourced for its Chocolate Mole Tamale and Jackfruit Taco on Fresh Blue Corn Tortilla.
