James Beard Foundation's 2019 Taste America

The James Beard Foundation’s Taste America returned to Phoenix for a lovely weekend which included a gala benefit dinner at the Royal Palms Resort & Spa. The incredible dinner featured a culinary dream team comprised of Arizona’s top chefs including Taste America’s Visiting All-Star Tiffany Derry. The evening started with a pre-dinner reception featuring five celebrated local chefs, Cat Bunnag from Glai Baan, Stephen Jones from The Larder & The Delta, Tandy Peterson from Mowry & Cotton, Ryan Swanson from Kai, and Claudio Urciuoli from Pa’La. Guests also enjoyed a silent and live auction as well as a dessert reception created by Sweet Dee’s Bakeshop Chef Danielle O’ Day and Royal Palms Resort & Spa Chef Hollie Layman-Sanders. - Photography by Carrie Evans