2021Best of the ValleyBOV Readers PicksBest of the Valley Readers’ Picks 2021
PHOENIX magazineMarch 8, 2021
2021 Best of the Valley Readers' Picks. Thanks to everyone who voted!
Celebrity Taste Test: BEST CINNAMON ROLL
The Judge: Writer and Pistol Whipped Pastry chef/owner Rachel Ellrich Miller (pistolwhippedpastry.com)
When & Where: Thursday, June 21, at 2 p.m. at the PHOENIX office
The Rules: We want a classic cinnamon roll – no nuts, no fruit – that’s available on a daily basis, because these sinful swirls don’t deserve to be banished to weekend brunch. We enlisted Ellrich Miller (who also blogs for North Phoenix Moms Blog) and her pastry prowess to help us crown the queen of breakfast treats.
Celebrity Taste Test: BEST ARIZONA GIN
The Judge: Winemaker Sam Pillsbury of Pillsbury Wine Company (pillsburywine.com)
When & Where: Wednesday, June 27, at the PHOENIX office. Judging began at 4:17 p.m.
The Rules: Pillsbury is the first to admit he isn’t a gin guy. “Oh, I’m a total lightweight,” he says in his lilting New Zealand accent. But he does understand the swish-and-spit principle, which is why we put his trained palate in front of eight gins distilled in Arizona, all unoaked, all served at 68 degrees F. The tasting was blind.
Meet the Phoenicians who are impacting Valley life and culture in myriad ways.
Celebrity Taste Test: BEST Chocolate Chip Cookie
The Judge: 3TV pep queen and Good Morning Arizona anchor Olivia Fierro
When & Where: Thursday, June 22, at the PHOENIX offices. Judging began at 1:14 p.m.
The Rules: To level the playing field, all eight cookies were nut-free, sea-salt-free, coconut-free… you get it. Just straight-up, platonic ideal chocolate chip cookies. The testing was blind.
Best of the ValleyCelebrity Taste Test—BEST POKE BOWL
Mike MeyerOctober 1, 2015
Celebrity Taste Test: BEST POKE BOWL
The Judge: Robert Watson, seafood-sourcing mastermind and executive chef of Steak 44
When & Where: Thursday, June 22, at the PHOENIX offices. Judging began at 2:08 p.m.
The Rules: Most poke operations offer a DIY option. Our standard order: ahi tuna, half brown rice and half mixed greens, edamame, seaweed salad, green onions and a shoyu or house sauce. Locally owned poke places only.
Meet the Phoenicians who are impacting Valley life and culture in myriad ways. Dan Henderson, Food-Hub Mastermind Aaron Klusman, Businessman Believer Christine Marsh, Ms. Education Mark Russell, Deep-Dish Rockefeller Mary Stephens, Art Activist Nicole Royse, Art Mama
Best of the ValleyCelebrity Taste Test
Matt ColeJanuary 13, 2015
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Best of the ValleyShopping & Services
Matt ColeJanuary 13, 2015
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