14 Dec 28th, 2023–Jan 3rD, 2024 phoenixnewtimes.com PHOENIX NEW TIMES | NEWS | FEATURE | FOOD & DRINK | ARTS & CULTURE | MUSIC | CONCERTS | CANNABIS | A Full Plate The Valley’s biggest food stories of 2023. BY TIRION BOAN M etro Phoenix has no shortage of food news. Throughout the year, restaurants open and close, chefs and breweries win awards and show off their creative ideas and sometimes there are scandals and sad stories that make headlines. Here at Phoenix New Times, we take a stab at covering it all to bring you what you need to know in the world of food. But some stories have staying power whether they go viral online or they cover events that markedly impact the community. These are the 10 biggest stories of the year in Phoenix food. Voodoo Doughnut opened By the numbers, Voodoo Doughnut announcing the opening date for its Tempe store was our biggest food story of the year. Nearly 50,000 readers clicked to find out when the Portland-based doughnut shop would open its first location in Arizona. The bakery, which specializes in doughnuts shaped like voodoo dolls stabbed with pretzels along with funky flavors like the Grape Ape topped with purple “grape dust” and the Ring of Fire sprinkled with cayenne pepper, officially opened on Sept. 7 and fans went wild. Phoenix eateries made national news Throughout 2023, multiple Valley restau- rants found themselves mentioned in the national media. Local baker Bagelfeld’s was named a top shop in the country by Bon Appetit. The same publication named Grand Avenue hotspot Chilte one of the best new restaurants in America and in November, Esquire magazine included both Chilte and downtown Thai restaurant Lom Wong among their list of the 50 best new restaurants nationwide. The Global Ambassador announced 5 restaurants One of the major moments in Phoenix food came late this year when The Global Ambassador opened its doors. The new luxury hotel, helmed partly by prolific Arizona restaurateur Sam Fox, is home to five restaurants. When we shared what to expect at the Parisian steakhouse, rooftop bar, lobby market, poolside restaurant and Mediterranean concept, readers couldn’t wait to find out more. Maynard James Keenan’s Cottonwood complex opened Maynard James Keenan is slowly becoming recognized as much for his winemaking as his role as the frontman of bands Tool, Puscifer and A Perfect Circle. This fall, his highly anticipated Merkin Vineyards Hilltop Winery & Trattoria and the Caduceus Cellars Hilltop Facility in Cottonwood opened. Curious customers can take a hike up the stairs from the wine- obsessed town or ride in a funicular to the top. There, you’ll find a large restaurant with a gorgeous and enormous patio over- looking the Verde Valley and grape vines planted around the hilltop complex. For the grand opening, Maynard visited from his home in nearby Jerome to cut the ribbon alongside Cottonwood Mayor Tim Elinski and members of the town council. Controversy surrounded Federales and Bottled Blonde This year, Valley residents raised their voices and let their opinions be known against two incoming concepts. Along Roosevelt Row, Chicago-based chain Federales shared plans to move into the vacant lot on the corner of Second and Roosevelt streets, which functioned as a park and a community gathering place. Residents and nearby business owners banded together to share their opposition to the project, citing potential issues with parking, the size and scale of a large bar on a small lot and what they feel is false adver- tising of what the chain calls a family restaurant and what reviewers call a club, moving in. Throughout the year, develop- ments pushed back and forth as issues that could make or break the project have been heard by a city of Phoenix board and now are in the hands of the courts. So far, the future of Federales remains uncertain. In Gilbert, sports bar Bottled Blonde announced its intent to open in the Heritage District. The plans include demolishing the small bungalow that previously held Bergies Coffee and building a new, multi-story restaurant and bar. More than 4,000 people signed a petition asking the Gilbert Town Council to reconsider allowing the concept to move in. The development of the proposed Bottled Blonde is still in the early stages; the town has requested a public meeting about the bar, which has not been set. The James Beard Awards snubbed Arizona Over the years, Arizona chefs have had a pretty good showing at the James Beard Awards. In 2022 Chris Bianco won Outstanding Restaurateur and Tucson’s Don Guerra won Outstanding Baker. This year, things started strong with 12 people or groups from the Grand Canyon State named semifinalists for awards. But as the crowd was whittled down to finalists and then winners, not a single Arizona chef made the cut. The snub was a shock to many and made waves both in the restaurant community and beyond. In our 2023 Best of Phoenix awards, we named it the Best Snub. Restaurants rallied for Hawaii One of the biggest news stories around the country this year was about the wildfires that ripped through Hawaii and devastated the town of Lahaina. Viewers everywhere were glued to their screens watching as the flames engulfed entire neighborhoods and resorts. The connection between Hawaii and Arizona is strong, and throughout the Valley, restaurants rallied to raise money to help those in need. Badass Coffee of Hawaii, CRUjiente Tacos, Koibito Poke, Kaizen, Chula Seafood and Original Breakfast House were among the restaurants that hosted fundraisers, raffles and donated profits to help raise money for relief efforts. Tempe’s Oktoberfest celebrated 50 years Many events take over the fields on Tempe Town Lake’s shores throughout the year, but perhaps none are so ingrained in the town’s history than Tempe Oktoberfest. This year, the annual party hit its 50th anniversary, a milestone for the event inspired by one couple’s European vacation. The event hasn’t always Left to right: Le Âme, a Parisian-inspired steakhouse, is one of five dining concepts at The Global Ambassador. Maynard James Keenan cut the ribbon to officially open his new hilltop complex in Cottonwood. Voodoo Doughnut made its Arizona debut in Tempe. (Photos by The Global Ambassador, Tirion Boan and Danielle Lirette) The “Me Vale Madre” sign at Chilte was made by local artist Ize. 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