70: Jason Silberschlag

By Chow Bella Wed., Jun. 20 2012 at 9:00 AM

Categories: Tastemakers 2012

From now 'til we publish the 2012 edition of Best of Phoenix, New Times and Chow Bella present 100 Tastemakers -- Valley residents who make the cut in our culinary scene. Some you'll know; for others, it'll be a first introduction (but likely not the last). While you're here, check out our 100 Creatives on Jackalope Ranch.

Today: a guy who roasts in Phoenix -- year-round.

Tastemaker 70: Jason Silberschlag

Tucson native Jason Silberschlag graduated from the University of Arizona with a degree in philosophy. He says his love for community and quality led him and his wife, Amy, to open Cartel Coffee Lab in January 2008. He has since enjoyed developing his palate by traveling to coffee-growing regions to participate in judging coffee by a process called "cupping," with various cup-of-excellence programs. And he's opened several more Cartel locations. Cartel also distributes to many local coffee shops and restaurants. Chances are, if you drink a good cup of Joe in this town, Silberschlag had a hand in the beans.

I arrived in Phoenix with... a strong work ethic and passion for entrepreneurship.

If I was sitting down to dinner for six, my five dream dining companions would be... Duane Sorensen (Stumptown Coffee), Chris Bianco, Charles Eames (designer), Al Beadle (architect), and Sam Calagione (Dogfish Head).

One place everyone who comes to Phoenix must eat is... St. Francis.

One menu item this city could do without is... non-microbrewed beer and Italian-style coffee.

My last meal in Phoenix would be... a carne asada burrito and a Sonoran-style hot dog from Micky's Hot Dogs in Mesa.

The Tastemakers so far:
100: Tracy Dempsey
99: Craig DeMarco
98: Lara Mulchay
97: M.J. Coe
96: Betty Alatorre de Hong
95: Eric Schaefer
94: Hanna Gabrielsson
93: Shinji Kurita
92: Silvana Salcido Esparza
91: Mike Pitt
90: Christina Barrueta
89: Christopher Gross
88: Jan Wichayanuparp and Helen Yung
87: DJ Fernandes
86: Cullen Campbell
85: Chris Lee
84. Gwen Ashley Walters
83: Tony Morales
82: Lylah Ledner
81: Andrea White
80: Lori Hashimoto
79. Mrs. White
78: Eugenia Theodosopolous
77: Lou & Lovey Borenstein
76: Anthony Patafio
75: Carl Seacat
74: Sacha Levine
73: Sharon Salomon
72: Johnny Chu
71: Susie Timm
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