Sorry, gang I was just too damned beat to hit the town on Thursday night, but don’t despair my foodie friends–I’ve still got lots of gastronomical and other glories of the gut to share.  Shall we begin with Best of Phoenix? Let’s!

Saturday:  The Phoenix New Times Best of Phoenix Party was in my date-book, and since I had never been, I was at a loss for wardrobe! Naturally, I Facebooked my query and ended up with some sensational suggestions; sequins, go-go boots, a mini-skirt, and even chaps. Okay, you caught me–most of those ideas were mine, but after considering the fact that I’d probably be on my feet meeting and greeting all night, those hot get-ups didn’t sound so great. I settled on lots of boob with a classy top, 3 inch heels and my daughter’s jeans from Justice.  It was a cool event and very hip.  There was plenty of good food, tasty cocktails, and groovy tunes.  Oh, I forgot to mention a few boas, some outstanding Mohawks, major minis, and lots and lots of boob.

Tuesday: We filmed! 
Chef Charlie Kassels (really neat guy) from El Chorro Lodge presented his classic Trout Amandine.  He was so quick and deft that we had to shoot it twice to get just a little TV time for the guy!  The second-take was actually a blessing since I chowed that first plate. The crew gets feisty if they don’t get fed.

Then Chef Francine Marz, Culinary Instructor and Coach at the Art Institute of Phoenix livened up the room just as I was starting to crash (I had been awake since 4 AM!).  You may not have heard of her, but you’ll want to see more once you watch her continuously crack me up in her 8-minute segment. She put together a Mixed Berry Flambé with Blueberry Loaf and Vanilla Ice Cream that was so good, it had us grabbing the counter for balance.  She’s a good friend and a great teacher.

Chef Beau MacMillan of Elements at Sanctuary also joined me.  As big (and by that I mean famous) as this dude may be, he greets everyone like a long-lost hedge fund manager.  We both play well with others so we had a great time in our little “culinary sandbox.” He made me a fancy tuna salad (little piece of heaven), but the crew devoured this one before I could sneak a second bite.

Chef Barb Fenzl was next on the roster. She is THE dessert queen.  Sounds kind of like an ABBA song doesn’t it?  A woman after my own heart, she showed up right on time, prepped and camera-ready. She made mesquite crepes with sauteed apples and caramel sauce—and guess what? It was the debut of this particular recipe! In addition to making a mean crepe, she is a beautiful, gracious lady and I feel so lucky to know her. Thanks for the crepe-lesson, Barb!

Friday: I like to try to unwind a bit on Fridays so my mother-in-law and I hit-up Petit Maison for lunch. I had a bowl of extraordinary Onion Soup a la’ France while my mother-in-law had the Salad Nicoise. Taking a bite of the salmon in that salad was like eating a piece of fish-flavored butter. I don’t know where they caught that bad boy, but I wish someone would point me toward the river. James Porter happened to be hanging around and stopped by to chat.  He’s cool, funny and oddly attractive with those tinted shades he wears.  

All in all, it was a good “Eat, Play, Work” (new book) week for yours truly.  I’ll be bouncing around some more – including my 16th anniversary dinner tonight at Marcellino’s  – remind me NOT to wear that miniskirt or the chaps.