The Most Livable City Celebrates 25 Years As Arizonas Culinary Destination

Sink your teeth into the Scottsdale Culinary Festival

(Scottsdale, AZ) When its cold and gray outside and spring just wont arrive, why not escape to Scottsdale where the warm glow of sunshine makes for perfect days outdoors. Gourmet food takes center stage April 10-13, 2003 for the 25th Anniversary of the Scottsdale Culinary Festival. Wineries, chefs, celebrities, locals and tourists alike gather together for a culinary extravaganza.

Its hard to imagine a better time or placefrom orange blossoms and beautiful weather to fiery sunsets and the best chefs in the Southwestescape for a long weekend of entertainment and incredible cuisine.

The four-day event includes eight distinct events making Scottsdale your culinary destination. Taste and sip your way through:

Hall of Fame Dinner and Students Competition dinners combine for a spectacular awards dinner honoring those who have made significant contributions to the culinary profession in Arizona and showcasing the best culinary students from Culinary Programs in a head-to-head culinary arts competition, April 10th, Hyatt Regency at Gainey Ranch, cost $100.

A Caterers Fare Guests sample tastings from some of the best caterers in the Valley, April 11th,
cost $75 per person to include all food, beverages, and entertainment.

Great Arizona Picnic where the best foods from dozens of restaurants combine with on-going live entertainment for one of the most celebrated culinary events, April 12 & 13, with an entrance free of $5 per person for those over 12 years old.

Cooks & Corks Guests taste and sip their way through a "Wonderful Gourmet World of Food and

Wine" while enjoying demonstrations by some of the Valley's best celebrity chefs, April 12 & 13, cost $40.

Southwest Festival of Beers is a spectacular Beer Garden featuring more than 200 specialty beers, April 12 & 13, $5 per person (includes souvenir mug)

Le Tour Culinaire This black ties affair is an enchanted evening featuring a tour of the Valley's finest dining establishments, April 12, cost $175.

Wine Country Brunch Guests have the unique opportunity to meet winemakers and experience award-winning food and wine combinations from ten wineries, April 13, Scottsdale Four Seasons Resort, cost $55.

Best of the Fest a five-course dinner paired with a winery that a select chef prepares for a group of 20 guests, April 13, Hyatt Regency at Gainey Ranch, cost $150.

Here, raising a fork and toasting a glass of wine goes a lot deeper. The Scottsdale League for the Arts (SLA) has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for arts and education programs benefiting children throughout the Valley of the Sun.

Fundraising is the driving force behind the four-day event and this year, the 25th celebration, SLA attracts celebrity chefs, and local and national media in order to raise record amounts for the charity. This is not your typical fundraiser atmosphere. From the fresh air and incredible cuisine to live entertainmentall your senses will tell you how great it feels, tastes, smells and sounds.

SLA contributes to the Scottsdale Center for the Arts, the Arts in Education council, and the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art. SLA is a non-profit volunteer organization made up of concerned and caring individuals who invest their time and effort. SLA is looking for positive and motivated people to volunteer at the Scottsdale Culinary Festival. Its a wonderful way to get involved in the community and expand your knowledge about the arts and culinary fields. To find out more information on becoming a volunteer please call Scottsdale League for the Arts at (480) 945-7193.

For a full schedule of events please visit the web site at www.scottsdaleculinaryfestival.org or call 480-945-7193. Memberships are available for $125 annually. This is a fun way to become involve