And the winners are . . .
Congratulations to Odell Baskerville, executive chef at the Arizona Inn, for taking first place in the 2007 Chef of the Year competition at Pima Community College's Desert Vista Campus.
Second: Ken Harvey, banquet chef at Loews Ventana Canyon Resort. Third: Tom Mead, executive chef at Terra Cotta.
Tavel Bristol-Joseph, pastry chef at Wildflower Restaurant, took first in the 2007 Pastry Chef of the Year.
Second: Tracey Small of Acacia Restaurant. Third: Alayne Reed of Skyline Country Club.
Contestants in the Chef's Association of Southern Arizona's annual competitions get a "mystery" bag of ingredients and a limited amount of time.
– Inger Sandal Indulge for a good cause
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Speaking of Odell, The Arizona Inn's executive chef is one of 15 top chefs taking part in the Fourth Annual Flavors of Tucson fundraiser for the American Liver Foundation on Sept. 26 at Loews Ventana Canyon Resort.
Each chef is responsible for a table of 12. Guests can talk with the chef and watch their five-course meals being prepared.
You'll feel completely indulged — as well you should: Tickets are $200 a person. Snag reservations at 1-866-953-1800.
– Kathleen Allen
Bowz bows out — for now
Bowz restaurant's French-accented Japanese food had lots of fans, said operating manager Kengo Ikeda, but the location at 7332 N. Oracle Road wasn't great.
He has hopes that the restaurant will resurface, but he couldn't say when. "It depends on what we can work out with the local investors." Ikeda would like to move farther east — "maybe we'll open by La Encantada," he said. "We have a couple of great possibilities but nothing definite yet."
Meanwhile, he and chef Shuhei Kamikawa, have started Private Chef's Table, which goes to homes to prepare meals. The number to line up their services: 744-4131.
– Kathleen Allen
Seen in passing . . .
A "Coming August Asian Bistro" banner was spotted in front of a store at a strip mall near Wing Stop on North Campbell Avenue and East Fort Lowell Road.
And a sign in a window near the new Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwiches at 2485 N. Swan Road says Fratelli Gelato Lounge is coming soon.
Ciao down on new menu items at Schlotzsky's
Two of Tucson's three Schlotzsky's restaurants are offering three new menu selections with an Italian theme. The first listed prices are for the Schlotzsky's at 6210 N. Oracle Road and the second are for the restaurant at 3270 E. Valencia Road.
The Slicey Meatball ($4.29-$5.29/$4.80-$5.80) has layers of sliced meatballs covered with marinara sauce and surrounded with melted mozzarella cheese on a bun. The Trio Topper Pizza ($4.69/ $5) begins with sun-dried tomato pesto, mozzarella cheese and your choice of three toppings. The Italian Wrapsky ($4.49/ $4.80) includes mozzarella, ham, salami, pepperoni, roasted red peppers and much more wrapped in a flour tortilla.
– Valerie Vinyard
Wine tasting, California style
Catalina Steakhouse at JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa, 3800 W. Starr Pass, is hosting "A Night in California" wine tasting at 7 p.m. Monday.
The tasting features six varieties of wine paired with heavy hors d'oeuvres.
Cost is $30 per person, including tax and gratuity. Call 670-0444 for reservations.
– Inger Sandal
