Taste of the Tournament

Welcome to a desert evening full of stars. While the sun sets on the horizon, you stand in front of an elite group of eight chefs. You’re immersed in a unique experience of complimentary flavors, mingling with some of college basketball’s biggest names. The Taste of the Tournament is where world-class brands come together for a signature celebration of college basketball fandom and flavor.
We’ll see you there!

Aarón Sánchez

Chef Aarón Sánchez is an award-winning chef, TV personality, cookbook author and philanthropist. He is a judge on FOX’s MasterChef and the chef/owner of Johnny Sánchez restaurants. Aarón works with many charitable organizations and recently launched the Aarón Sánchez Scholarship Fund - an initiative providing culinary scholarships and mentorship opportunities to Latinos from the New Orleans area.

Katie Lee

Katie Lee is the host of Cooking Channel’s Beach Bites with Katie Lee and a co-host on Food Network’s hit series The Kitchen. She is a cookbook author and novelist and can be seen regularly on Food Network shows Best. Ever. and Beat Bobby Flay. Katie spends much of her non-cooking time volunteering and sits on the board for the Food Bank for New York City.

Justin Beckett

Beckett’s Table, Southern Rail

Justin Beckett

Beckett’s Table, Southern Rail

Since opening restaurants Beckett’s Table and Southern Rail, Justin Beckett has earned national attention with a 2012 nomination for Food & Wine magazine's People's Best New Chef award, and a 2014 invitation to cook for Condé Nast publications.

Cullen Campbell

Okra Cookhouse & Cocktails, Crudo & Bar Crudo

Cullen Campbell

Okra Cookhouse & Cocktails, Crudo & Bar Crudo

Cullen Campbell is the chef and co-owner of Okra Cookhouse & Cocktails as well as Crudo & Bar Crudo in Phoenix. Campbell’s restaurants have won rave reviews from USA Today, LA Times & Sunset Magazine, as well as an invitation to cook at the James Beard House in NYC.

Tommy Plato

Second Story Restaurant & Liquor Bar

Tommy Plato

Second Story Restaurant & Liquor Bar

A native to Arizona, Tommy Plato’s true passion is people. Plato is the founder of Second Story Restaurant & Liquor Bar in Old Town Scottsdale, which features an exceptional blend of regional ingredients, rustic cooking and over 200 whiskeys. He’s known nationally as a thought leader within the mixology community.

Walter Sterling

Ocotillo

Walter Sterling

Ocotillo

Chef Walter Sterling has worked with some of the top culinary minds in the world, including Daniel Boulud and Gunther Seeger. Chef Sterling works to bring complex flavors of New American cuisine to life at Ocotillo, a restaurant, beer garden and coffee bar awarded Foodist’s 2016 Best Emerging Restaurant of the Year.

Matt Carter

The House Brasserie, The Mission, Zinc Bistro, Fat Ox

Matt Carter

The House Brasserie, The Mission, Zinc Bistro, Fat Ox

Trained in the artistry and disciplines of French gastronomy, Chef Matt Carter is one of the most experienced and renowned chefs in the southwest. The Mission, Chef Carter’s take on modern Latin fare, has won multiple honors as one of the top dining experiences in Phoenix.

Rochelle Daniel

Fat Ox

Rochelle Daniel

Fat Ox

Chef Rochelle Daniel, recognized for her creativity and unique understanding of current dining trends serves as executive chef at The Fat Ox, which provides modern takes on the authentic Italian dishes. Chef Rochelle has been recognized as one of the Valley’s Top 5 Sous Chefs by the Arizona Republic and as Best Sous Chef by AZcentral.com.