2014 FOODIST AWARD WINNERS

Food Pioneer

The Food Pioneer award is given for dedication and leadership that has helped transform Arizona’s restaurant scene into today’s vibrant restaurant industry.

Winner: Craig DeMarco and Lauren Bailey, Upward Projects

Top Chef

The Top Chef award is given to an Executive Chef or Chef de Cuisine who demonstrates consistent standards of excellence and continues to break new ground while enhancing the dining experience.

Winner: Gio Osso, Virtù

Good Neighbor

The Good Neighbor award is given to an individual or restaurant who demonstrates exceptional community service and charitable involvement.

Winner: Community Kitchen

Master Mixologist

This award is given to the bartender/mixologist that consistently strives to raise the bar for their restaurant or beverage program.

Winner: Stephanie Teslar, Hotel Palomar and Blue Hound Kitchen & Cocktails

Emerging Restaurant of the Year

The Emerging Restaurant of the Year award for an “up and coming” restaurant that demonstrates exemplary talent, shows innovation, and distinguishes itself as a pacesetter.

Winner: The Original ChopShop Co.

Outstanding Restaurant Concept

The Outstanding Restaurant Concept recognizes some of today’s hottest emerging concepts — ones making their marks with their innovative experiences and cutting-edge cuisines. We assessed them by breakout factors ranging from differentiated service to hot culinary niche to entertaining interior design.

Winer: Proof

Outstanding Food Truck

This award will go to the best of the best that serve on the go, and on four wheels (or two). From the flashy and creative to the simple and classic, we want the best food that has come from these mobile wizards.

Winner: The Maine Lobster Lady

Outstanding Multiple Location

The Award for Multiple Location honors the breakout brands satisfying Arizonans’ hunger one location at a time. We assessed them by breakout factors ranging from bold tactics to outstanding creative to entertaining customer service propelling the brand.

Winner: Mastro’s

Uniquely Arizona

Home to some of the oldest documented food traditions, Arizona has a rich culinary past that is prevailing as new hot food trends. These restaurants are what Arizona is made up of. We are searching statewide for the restaurants that embrace not only the local food but are staples of the state.

Winner: Elote

Best Dish “Steak”
Honors the restaurant that quite simply does it best.

Winner: Durant’s