• Find a Top Pro
    • Top Docs
    • Top Dentists
    • Top Lawyers
    • Top Realtors
    • Top Chiros
    • Shop Plaques
  • Dining Guide
  • City Guide
  • Newsletters
  • Contests & Promotions
  • Shop
    The Phix Desert Digest Trail Head
 
  • AZ Craft Beer Awards
  • AZ Travel Awards
  • BEST OF THE VALLEY
  • Curator
  • Food & Drink
  • Phoenix Files
  • Things To Do

https://www.phoenixmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/PHM0824BESTFEST01-1280x720.jpg

Best of the Valley2024 Best of the Valley: Best Summer Party

Editorial StaffJuly 13, 2024

For the third year, PHOENIX is using its powers of multi-platform media programming to manifest BOV as a flesh-and-blood party.

CONTINUE READING
https://www.phoenixmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/PHM0824BAMBA01featured-1280x720.jpg

Best of the Valley2024 Best of the Valley: Dining

Editorial StaffJuly 13, 2024

Much of what we love about the Valley are those pieces of it we can sip, nibble or otherwise devour, from fusion Indian cuisine to primo falafel to cloudy IPAs. Salut!

CONTINUE READING
https://www.phoenixmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/PHM0824SELIN01featured-1280x720.jpg

Best of the Valley2024 Best of the Valley: People & Media

Editorial StaffJuly 4, 2024

Our editorial picks for local personalities and media consumables.

CONTINUE READING
https://www.phoenixmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/PHM0824BIGMARBLE01featured-1280x720.jpg

Best of the Valley2024 Best of the Valley: Local Food Products & Farm Goods

Marilyn HawkesJuly 4, 2024

A ranking of new goodies from PHOENIX magazine's packaged food czar.

CONTINUE READING
https://www.phoenixmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/PHM0824WATERFALL01-1280x720.jpg

Best of the Valley2024 Best of the Valley: Best Hikes For Kids

Mare CzinarJuly 4, 2024

Explore the four corners of the Valley to find the best hikes to take the kids on.

CONTINUE READING
https://www.phoenixmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/PHM0824SRBEST01featured-1280x720.jpg

Best of the Valley2024 Best of the Valley: Sweet Stuff

Editorial StaffJuly 4, 2024

Got a sweet tooth? Chomp into our picks for the best spots to fulfill your sugary craving.

CONTINUE READING
https://www.phoenixmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/PHM0824GLOBE01-1280x720.jpg

Best of the Valley2024 Best Outside of the Valley: Out-of-Town Adventures

Editorial StaffJuly 4, 2024

CONTINUE READING
https://www.phoenixmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/PHM0824HAINNOONNOBUOSLOANE01featured-1280x720.jpg

Best of the Valley2024 Best of the Valley: Dining Scene

Editorial StaffJuly 4, 2024

Sometimes it's not about what you're eating, but rather it's where you are and who you're with. These are our faves from the local dining scene.

CONTINUE READING
https://www.phoenixmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/PHM0824TRACYWINNER01-1280x720.jpg

Best of the Valley2024 Best of the Valley Taste Test: Rosé

Editorial StaffJuly 4, 2024

Tasting eight different roses is all in a day’s work for legendary Valley pastry chef and ODV Wines owner Tracy Dempsey.

CONTINUE READING
https://www.phoenixmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/PHM0824GOLDWATER01featured-1280x720.jpg

Best of the Valley2024 Best of the Valley: Urban Scene

Editorial StaffJuly 4, 2024

CONTINUE READING
https://www.phoenixmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/PHM0824IAN5-1280x720.jpg

Best of the Valley2024 Best of the Valley Taste Test: Smash Burgers

Editorial StaffJuly 4, 2024

Arizona's Family meteorologist and man-at-large Ian Schwartz gave himself an education in the art of smash-burger cooking in anticipation of this BOV event.

CONTINUE READING
https://www.phoenixmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/PHM0824NINJAKID01featured-1280x720.jpg

Best of the Valley2024 Best of the Valley: Kids Stuff

Editorial StaffJuly 4, 2024

Our editorial picks for the best family-friendly places and things in the Valley.

CONTINUE READING
https://www.phoenixmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/AdobeStock_267819407-1280x720.jpg

Best of the Valley2024 Best of the Valley: Best Gelato

Editorial StaffJuly 4, 2024

Our picks for the best in frozen Italian delight.

CONTINUE READING
https://www.phoenixmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/PHM0824SICILIANBUTCHERMOCKS01-1280x720.jpg

Best of the Valley2024 Best of the Valley: Best Mocktails

Editorial StaffJuly 4, 2024

There's no mocking these non-alcoholic drinks. Here's where they serve the Best in N/A drinks in the four corners of the Valley.

CONTINUE READING
https://www.phoenixmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/PHM0824_BOV-1-1280x720.jpg

Best of the Valley2024 Best of the Valley: Restaurant Specials for Every Day of the Week

Craig OuthierJuly 4, 2024

Though it runs 62 pages this year, Best of the Valley can only hold so much content. Consider this list a late BOV outtake: Our picks for the “best” Valley restaurant specials for every day of the week. 

CONTINUE READING

Older Posts

Recent Stories

  • CocktailsCocktail Program at One Sixth Means Never a Bad Day at the Office

    August 13, 2026
  • CalendarThings to DoThings To Do Around the Valley This Week (August 10-16)

    August 10, 2026
  • CocktailsINDIBAR Offers New Perspective on Indian Inspired Cocktails

    August 6, 2026
logo-phx-2019

For more than 50 years, PHOENIX magazine's experienced writers, editors, and designers have captured all sides of the Valley with award-winning and insightful writing, and groundbreaking report and design. Our expository features, narratives, profiles, and investigative features keep our 385,000 readers in touch with the Valley's latest trends, events, personalities and places.

Navigation

  • Best of the Valley
  • Things To Do
  • Food & Drink
  • Travel & Adventure
  • Valley Lifestyle
  • News & People
  • The Magazine
  • From Our Partners
© 2026 Developed for Cities West Media, Inc., by Northern Ground
Terms of Use Privacy Policy
  • Customer Service
  • Careers
  • Advertising
  • Contact Editorial
  • About Us
Charles Lohrmann

As managing editor and associate publisher of Texas Parks and Wildlife magazine, Charles Lohrmann experienced astounding natural wonders, from canoeing in Deep East Texas to trekking into the remote canyonlands west of Del Rio to view Archaic rock art. From TPWD, Lohrmann moved to Texas Highways, the award-winning Official Travel Magazine of Texas, where he was editor and publisher, and directed coverage of destinations in every corner of Texas. As editor of Texas Co-op Power magazine, he guided content development — including travel, history and culture — for the largest circulation publication in the state of Texas, reaching more than 3.5 million readers. Now residing in Santa Fe, N.M., Lohrmann has also traveled throughout Arizona many times, in particular to the Hopi and Navaho tribal lands, as well as to the Tohono O’odham nation.

Jenna Watters

Jenna Watters was born and raised in Sedona, Arizona, which is where her love of music began. She started singing in church as a young girl, joined a traveling choir that toured all over Arizona, and even helped teach the choir her senior year at Sedona Red Rock High School. In 2005, she graduated high school and spent a couple years at Arizona State University before she decided to travel around Europe, and it was during her travels that she decided that a career in music was calling her name. She linked up with her friend, Daniel Watters and they began writing songs via e-mail and would meet up during holiday breaks back home to Sedona to play small coffee shop shows for their friends and family. Fast forward to 15 years later; Jenna now lives in Austin with her husband Daniel and their son Johnny and has achieved her dream of becoming a full time musician with their band, The Watters. She also sings in various other side projects in town and teaches yoga on the side. Both Jenna and Daniel’s families still live in Arizona and they often travel back home for holidays and shows.

Jennifer Baluch

Jenn is a celebrated food influencer and a stand out in Arizona’s culinary scene. Honored as Best Food Influencer and recognized for her TikTok and Instagram accounts by PHOENIX magazine’s Best of the Valley, Jenn has become a trusted voice for food lovers across the state.

Her journey began during the challenging days of the Covid-19 pandemic, when she started spotlighting local restaurants to support struggling businesses.

Since then, Jenn has earned a reputation for her expertise in authentic Mexican cuisine, her passion for mom-and-pop eateries, and her love of dive bars and hidden gems.

Her genuine love for food shines through in her videos, where her expressions while tasting each dish say it all-no words needed.

Known for her honest yet thoughtful reviews, Jenn has built a loyal audience that appreciates her down-to-earth personality and approachability.

When she’s not discovering Arizona’s best bites, you might find her snapping selfies with fans or sharing her latest food finds.

Brian Goddard

Brian Goddard is a Scottsdale/Phoenix based Photographer, Videographer and Designer with a focus on Architecture, Food, Travel, Adventure, Garden and Lifestyle Content Creation.

Brian began his career as a Graphic Designer, Art Director and Photographer for Organic Gardening magazine and Organic Style magazine at Rodale, in Pennsylvania, Disney Adventures magazine in New York City, before relocating to Arizona to Design and Art Direct Phoenix Home & Garden magazine and PHOENIX magazine.

Brian has a lifelong interest in Adventure, Culture, Travel, Cuisine, Plants and Lifestyle, which makes Arizona a perfect place to Live, Work and Play.