Save the Date

🌱 The ninth annual Great American Seed Up, a pop-up bulk seed buying event, will take place Friday, Oct. 27, and Saturday, Oct. 28, at North Phoenix Baptist Church on the southeast corner of Central and Bethany Home in Phoenix.

The event showcases a seed bazaar stocked with open-pollinated, non-GMO vegetable, wildflower, flower, grain, and herb seed varieties at significantly discounted prices.

The Seed Up caters to all levels of seed enthusiasts, from market farmers to home gardeners. All available seed varieties have been carefully chosen for their adaptability to hot, dry desert climates.

Registration is $7.50 per day, granting entry to the Seed Room for seed purchasing, as well as access to online educational resources and live internet presentations.

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🎶 The Hot Chick sports bar in Old Town Scottsdale will host at special Beyonce-themed version of its weekly Boogie Down Brunch Saturdays this weekend in the wake of the singer bringing her first solo tour in seven years to State Farm Stadium in Glendale on Thursday and Friday.

What: While a DJ spins Beyonce tracks, there will be $5 bottles of champagne with purchase of an entree from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday and a Bey-themed cocktail menu.

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🌶 La Ristra New Mexican Kitchen will hold its 11th annual Hatch Chiles Roast at 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 8, and Saturday. Sept. 9.

The chiles: You must pre-order chiles online or by phone through La Ristra’s Gilbert or Chandler location.

• Chiles are $55 for a 50-pound sack (20-30 pounds after roasting) or $100 for two sacks.
• You can choose a heat level (medium, hot, or extra hot) and which day you will pick up.

The festivities: During the roast, there will be a Santa Fe Brewing tap takeover and live music at both locations.

• Roasting only will take place in the parking lot of the Gilbert location.

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🧑‍🍳 Tempe bakery Tracy Dempsey Originals has returned from its summer hiatus and announced its next cooking class will be Sweet & Savory Galettes from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 2.

What: Learn how to make galette dough (pâte brisée) and prepare your choice of one of the following:

• Potato, leek and gruyère (with or without bacon)
• Tomato, mozzarella and basil
• Salted caramel apple streusel
• Roasted grapes and chèvre
  

Plus: While your galette is baking (to take home), you will enjoy a tasting of several galettes.

Cost: $70 per person.

Other details: Space is limited. Please bring your own apron.

RSVP: Email Tracy@tracydempseyoriginals.com with “Galette Class” in the subject line by 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 25.

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📆 🍽 The Arizona Restaurant Association has announced the fall edition of Arizona Restaurant Week will take place Friday, Sept. 8, through Sunday, Sept. 17.

What: Participating restaurants offer three-course prix-fixe menus for $33, $44, or $55 per person (or couple, in a few cases). Wine or cocktail pairings often are available.

• Approximately 150 restaurants participate in Restaurant Week every spring and fall. (Pictured: Green chile burger at SanTan Spirit House in downtown Chandler.)

The quote: “We encourage you to enjoy your favorite restaurants, try new ones, and most importantly, get out there and support our hospitality industry that continues to succeed largely due to customers’ loyalty,’’ ARA president Steve Chucri says.

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The Arizona Restaurant Association announced the spring edition of Arizona Restaurant Week will run Friday, May 21, through Sunday, May 30.

Participating restaurants will offer three-course prix-fixe menus for just $33 or $44 per person. Wine pairings to enhance each course will be offered at some establishments for an additional cost.

Menus will be available for dine-in as well as to-go.

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📩 Don't want to miss out on the latest Valley food and drink news? Click here to subscribe to MXSW's free daily email newsletter.

It looks like AZCentral.com, the digital co-op of the Arizona Republic and Channel 12, is getting into the food fest biz.

The website announced this morning the first-ever AZCentral Food & Wine Experience will be held Nov. 7-8 at Scottsdale Fashion Square Event Park:

Taste unlimited samplings from more than 60 locally owned restaurants while sipping on fine wines, craft beers and spirits. Enjoy dozens of interactive displays by restaurants, farmers, cookbook authors, wineries, breweries, food makers and distillers.

Exclusive seminars and master classes – such as pairing scotch and cigars, or how to create a burger bar at home – will be offered throughout the experience. Attend barbecue university, enjoy a farm-to-table dinner, dine with celebrity chefs and visit a kitchen expo featuring the latest cooking gadgets and technologies.

Azcentral is working with Scottsdale-based R Entertainment.

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