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Craft beer fans, listen up!

Hey, beer nerds, we've got some good news. There's quite a lineup of speakers headed to the Valley for a craft beer panel hosted by Papago Brewing Company later this summer.

If you want to hear what professionals from Four Peaks, New Belgium, and more have to say about the industry, then you might want to mark you calendars for this event.

See also:
3 Reasons Why the AmeriCAN Canned Craft Beer Festival Is the Best in Arizona
Sonoran Long Strange Trip: A Voyage Fueled by Apricots, Pecans, and Scotch

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Chow Bella

It might be summer vacation, but if "cocktail school" is in session, count us in any day. "Professor" John Christie, head Distrito mixologist, is gearing up to teach you a thing or two about Carlos Santana's tequila.

Tequila Casa Noble will be the featured ingredient when the class bell rings this Saturday, June 22, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Distrito.

See Also:
- 5 Weird (and Tasty) Cocktails in Metro Phoenix
- Your New Summer Cocktail: The Americano (No, Not the Espresso Drink)

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Crudo

Some say tomato. Others, tomahto. But when it comes to to enjoying the flavor of this perfect summertime fruit, you'll want to say "reservations, please" when venerable East Phoenix restaurants Crudo and Noca join forces to praise it proper.

See also:
- English Rose Tea Room to Host Royal Baby Shower June 21
- James Beard Foundation Chefs and Celebrities Headed to Phoenix This Fall For The Taste America Tour -- Tickets Go on Sale July 8

At 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 19, Crudo and Noca -- along with their respective mixologists, Micah Olson and Jason Asher -- will team up to host an all-things-tomato cocktail dinner. And thanks to what's being called a "cocktail cruiser," a.k.a. a bus, guests can experience dishes at both restaurants.

Here's the menu and additional details.

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Heather Hoch

Pig & Pickle's tostadas

Just because the weekend is over doesn't mean you have to starve. Here's what we've got on the books this week.

More events this week:
- Heirloom Tomato Dinner at Binkley's in Cave Creek June 19
- go lb. salt Launches Salt Education Series in Gilbert This Spring
- "Arizona History Dinners" Kick Off Wednesday, June 5, at Cartwright's

Pig and Pickle Beer Dinner with Odell Brewing Company

If you haven't made it to Scottsdale's pork-centric eatery Pig and Pickle, this week's beer dinner is a perfect excuse. This month's edition of the beer dinner series will feature brews from Odell Brewing Company paired with four courses from chefs Keenan Bosworth and Joshua Riesner. Among the dishes will be grilled peaches with fresh mozzarella, mixed greens and brown sugar-peach vinaigrette paired with Odell's Tree Shaker. The dinner will be tonight at 6:30 and costs $44.44 a person. Tickets are required. Call 480-990-1407 or visit the Pig and Pickle website for more information.

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Photos and collage by Lauren Saria

Koryo Korean BBQ hosted a Korean BBQ feast last night in Glendale

Koryo Korean BBQ opened quietly in a Glendale strip mall about three months ago in a space previously occupied by two other Korean joints. From the outside you won't expect to find the modern design of the restaurant's interior -- but we have a feeling owners Billy and Christine Cho wouldn't have it any other way.

Last night the couple hosted a Korean BBQ feast for a small party of guests who experienced many of the offerings from the restaurant's menu. From banchan (side dishes like kimchi and marinated spinach) to sikhye (a traditional sweet rice beverage) the evening appealed to Korean cuisine experts and amateurs alike.

See also:
- New Korean Barbecue Spot Opens in Glendale

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New Times archives

Have you heard? Chow Bella writers will be playing with fire tonight at "Fried," an evening of true stories of food and heat. But no food-focused reading would be complete without food, duh, so check out the three newly debuted menu items and two special drinks the Lounge at Crescent Ballroom has lined up for the night.

See also:
- Eric Schaefer's KFC Haiku (Yes, You Read That Right) and More Tonight at "FRIED" at Crescent Ballroom
- Fried: Chow Bella Writers Tell Stories of Food and Heat

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English Rose Tea Room

Practically made for a British princess' baby shower

The fairytale romance of Prince Will and Princess Kate is still being written as all of England is preparing to welcome a new member of the royal family, the couple's first child. Arizona might be on the wrong side of the pond, but this rare and joyous occasion can be celebrated locally at English Rose Tea Room in Carefree. On Friday, June 21, a traditional baby shower will be held in honor of the third in line to the British throne, expected to be born on July 13.

See also:
- Eat, Drink and Party with Italians at Gina's Homemade Food Rave on June 8

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Roaring Fork

Big Ass Burger, featured on the happy hour menu

Father's Day tends to pale in comparison to May's Mother's Day, but there's no reason not to go all-out for both -- especially if that means taking Dad to a metro Phoenix restaurant (or comedy club!) for beers, BBQ, and bar food. There's a lot to enjoy on Sunday, June 16 in the Phoenix area, including a patio grill with games like mini golf, steak dinner specials, and plenty of boozy brunches.

See also:
- Brat Haus Sunday Cinema Features The Jerk on Father's Day
- Pig & Pickle in Scottsdale Starts Brunch This Sunday (And We've Got the Menu)

Roaring Fork

Hit up this all-night happy hour at the Saloon & Patio with discounted appetizers like the Big Ass Burger, rotisserie chicken flatbread, and pork wings with Dr. Pepper BBQ sauce. For a more substantial dinner, the restaurant will have a special selection of hearty fare like bacon-wrapped pork tenderloin with cheese grits, sugar-cured duck breast with onion jam and sour cherry mustard, and rainbow trout sautéed with brown butter, roasted almonds, capers, and green beans. Pair your entrée with a specialty cocktail for only $5. For reservations, call 480-947-0795.

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Creative Commons

If you think you've masted the simple things like salsas, sauces and jams and are ready to take on the world of canning, you might want to invest in some professional guidance. Unlike making your own barbeque sauce, when canning goes wrong it can result in botulism, a rare and potentially fatal foodborne illness.

Here to prevent you from endangering your friends and family, is Denise Clayton of Denise is Cooking. She hosts canning classes as well as courses on specific cuisines and other specialties, like cheese. And even if you think you're too knowledgeable for a canning class, you might be interested in hearing that this time her class will feature all 'tipsy' treats, or those made with wine, whiskey and other spirits.

See also:
- Tastemaker No. 60: Denise Clayton
- Best Place to Learn the Science of Canning - 2012: Denise Is Cooking

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Creative Commons

Chefs plating food for a dinner at the James Beard House in New York

It might not be possible to make the food-lovers pilgrimage to the James Beard House in New York this summer. But the good news is by the fall, a traveling showcase of culinary all stars, influencers and chefs will be making their way across the country for the James Beard Foundation's Taste America Tour, which kicks off in New York on June 12.

See also:
Kevin Binkley Stiffed (Again) at the 2013 James Beard Awards
Friends of the James Beard Benefit Dinner Last Night in Scottsdale

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