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2026 Best of the ValleyPromotionsVote Now! 2026 Best of the Valley Ballot

Matthew JohnsonJanuary 15, 2026

Vote once per day per category now through April 30.

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Best of the ValleyDesert DigestBOV Party Spotlight: Breaking Bread with The Maggiore Group

Madison RutherfordOctober 16, 2025

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Best of the ValleyDesert Digest2025 BOV Party Spotlight: Inside Scoop with Fabio on Fire Panini and Gelateria

Marilyn HawkesOctober 16, 2025

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Best of the ValleyDesert Digest2025 BOV Party Spotlight: Spicing Things Up with Tacos Veganos

Madison RutherfordOctober 15, 2025

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Best of the ValleyDesert Digest2025 BOV Party Spotlight: Coffee Break with Yellow Spruce Roasters

Marilyn HawkesOctober 15, 2025

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Best of the ValleyDesert Digest2025 BOV Party Spotlight: Breaking the Ice with Carry On

Marilyn HawkesOctober 15, 2025

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Desert Digest2025 BOV Party Spotlight: Chopping it Up with Uchi Scottsdale

Marilyn HawkesOctober 14, 2025

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Desert Digest2025 BOV Party Spotlight: A Taste of Home with Casa 16

Marilyn HawkesOctober 14, 2025

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Desert Digest2025 BOV Party Spotlight: Blending Culture and Flavor with Latha Restaurant and Bar

Madison RutherfordOctober 10, 2025

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Desert Digest2025 BOV Party Spotlight: Reel Talk with Minnow

Madison RutherfordOctober 8, 2025

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Desert Digest2025 BOV Party Spotlight: Fireside Chat with Toasted Mallow

Madison RutherfordOctober 8, 2025

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From the EditorEditor’s Note for July/August 2025: Everything We Like

Craig OuthierJune 26, 2025

"But when it comes to our annual Best of the Valley issue, which is gloriously celebrating its silver anniversary in 2025 with this out-of-control freight train of an issue, maybe the criticism is valid.”

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2025 Best of the ValleyBest of the Valley Hall of Fame: Camelback Moving

Editorial StaffJune 26, 2025

Camelback Moving has completed nearly 80,000 moves and has won our Readers’ Pick for Best Movers every year since we launched the category in 2016, a distinction Olsen attributes to the company’s integrity, transparency and concierge-level client experience.

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MusicBest of the Valley-winning Band Wheelwright to Perform at The Dirty Drummer in Phoenix

Mirelle InglefieldMarch 18, 2025

In the meantime, we talk good tunes, good food and good times with Wheelwright and Dana Armstrong, co-owner of The Dirty Drummer. 

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2025 Best of the ValleyBest of the Valley 2025 Readers’ Choice Award Winners

Matthew JohnsonFebruary 28, 2025

Winners will be published here on June 24

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  • 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.