The Arizona Restaurant Association Announces 2024 Foodist Award Finalists

The Arizona Restaurant Association (ARA) has announced the 2024 Foodist Awards finalists. Now celebrating its 10th year, the Foodist Awards recognize the best of the best in a variety of categories that represent culinary excellence in the Arizona food and beverage industry. Finalists, and ultimately the winners in each category, are chosen by peers and the dining community at large.

Award winners will be announced at a ceremony taking place at 5 p.m. on Monday, June 3 at Warehouse215, located at 215 E. Grant St.

“We are truly honored to announce the finalists of the 2024 Foodist Awards. These individuals and companies have inspired Arizona’s culinary landscape and contributed to making Arizona a coveted dining destination,” says Arizona Restaurant Association President and CEO Steve Chucri. “These finalists are all incredibly deserving and should be proud of the efforts they make every day. We are also thrilled to be in our diamond year of presenting the Foodist Awards and recognizing the outstanding culinary community that exists right here in our own backyard.”

Finalists in each category are as follows:

Standout Signature Dish
-Thai Peanut Poke Bowl at Chula Seafood
-Hush Burger at Fire at Will
-Elote Pasta at Valentine

Best Dish in a Supporting Role
-Baca Beans at Bacanora
-Voodoo Fried Rice at Buck & Rider
-Grilled Street Corn at CRUjiente Tacos

Best Vegan Delight
-Vegan Bahn Mi at Arizona Wilderness Brewing Company
-Portobello Mushroom Pita Pocket  at Pita Jungle
-Hen of the Woods Mushroom Tacos at The Green Woodpecker

Favorite Local Craft Beer
-Barrio Blonde, Barrio Brewing Co.
-Mango Foxtrot, Cider Corps
-Day Drinker®, Pedal Haus Brewery

Most Creative Handcrafted Cocktail Program
-Across the Pond
-Garden Bar
-Quartz

Outstanding Bar/Nightlife Experience
-Cham Pang Lanes
-Little Woody
-Quartz

Exceptional Culinary Experience
–Anhelo
-Binkley’s Restaurant
-Pa’La Woodfired Cooking

Best Food Truck Experience
-Baja Roots
-Lobstar
-Randizzle’s

Emerging Restaurant of the Year
-Chilte PHX
-Course Restaurant
-Latha Restaurant and Bar

Uniquely Arizona
-Bobby Q BBQ
-El Chorro Lodge
-Queen Creek Olive Mill

Outstanding Hospitality Group
-Cast Iron Concepts
-Genuine Concepts
-THAT Place Projects

Phenomenal Fast Casual Concept
-Joe’s Farm Grill
-Taco Boys
-Taco Chelo

Best World Flavors
-Belly Kitchen & Bar
-Feringhee Modern Indian Cuisine
-Latha Restaurant and Bar

Team Member of the Year
-Carlos De La Cruz, CRUjiente Tacos
-David Nguyen, Pho 43 Express
-Walker Miller, Ling & Louie’s/Ling’s Wok Shop

Manager of the Year
-Chadd Satterfield, 32 Shea
-Joanna McCarthy, Joy Bus Diner
-Terence Nowak, The Gladly

Top Mixologist/Bartender
-Adam Downey, Keeler Hospitality
-Maxwell Berlin, Quartz
-Moises Castro, Bacanora

Top Chef
-Alex Trujillo, J.T. Prime
-Angelo Sosa, Tia Carmen
–Cory Oppold, Course Restaurant

The Foodist Awards also presents the coveted Food Pioneer Award to one much-deserving individual each year. This recognition serves as the Foodist’s lifetime achievement award, honoring a lifetime of outstanding culinary excellence that continues to educate, inspire, entertain and foster a deeper understanding of the culinary culture in Arizona. The 2024 Food Pioneer Award, voted on by industry peers and previous Food Pioneer Award Winners, goes to Matt Carter of Fat Ox, The Mission and Zinc Bistro.

Tickets to the Foodist Awards ceremony on Monday, June 3 are now available for purchase at azrestaurant.org/events/foodist-awards/foodisttickets/. Individual admission starts at $175 per person. Table seating is also available for groups of four, six and 10.

For more about the Foodist Awards, visit foodistawards.com.