Sixth Annual Foodies Reunion to Honor Industry Leaders

Sixth Annual Foodies Reunion on Monday, Oct. 12 will honor 7 independent restaurateurs + 3 others

Scottsdale, AZ – Seven of the Valley’s best-known independent restaurateurs will be honored by 200 of their peers at the sixth annual Phoenix Foodies Reunion from 4:30 to 8 p.m. on Monday, Oct.12, at Eli’s American Grille, 7000 E. Shea Blvd., Scottsdale, 480-948-9800. 

Greg, Paula and Tony Elias, and Mike Caple of Eli’s will again honor fellow independent industry leaders who have persevered in the food/beverage business in the Valley for more than 20 years. The event is open to the public at no charge.

As in previous years, this year’s reunion will feature a no-host bar, with complimentary appetizers and desserts provided by the Eli’s owners under the direction of Eli’s kitchen manager, Mary Matigian. Handmade Lebanese delicacies will be prepared by Paula Elias from the recipes of Tony & Greg’s late mother, Lucille Elias. The buffet also will feature servings of tiramisu created for the past 15 years from a special recipe by chef Michael Skorish of Uncle Louie’s for its two Scottsdale locations, Lone Mountain at Scottsdale Road, and Carefree Highway at Scottsdale Road.

Media personality Pat McMahon of KTAR Radio and KAZ-TV will emcee; Scottsdale Mayor Jim Lane will present special proclamations to each honoree.

This year’s honorees are:

• John Dawson, Remington’s @ Scottsdale Plaza Resort, Scottsdale
• Christopher Gross, Christopher’s, Phoenix
• Peter Kasperski, Cowboy Ciao, Kazimierz, Digestif, Scottsdale
• Eddie Matney, Eddie’s House, Scottsdale
• Danny Piacquadio and Bill Vale, Harold’s Cave Creek Corral, Cave Creek
• Steve Runyan, The Sugar Shack, Scottsdale
• Roger Wagner & Family, Thee Pitt’s Again, Glendale

In addition, Lifetime Achievement Awards will be presented to Eileen Bailey, cookbook author, columnist, restaurant PR specialist; Jan D’Atri, cookbook author, restaurant owner, TV-radio personality, columnist; and Mark Kramer, a Valley franchise specialist.

“This has become an amazing tribute,” said Greg Elias, president of Eli’s and founder of the reunion with his wife, Paula. “The Valley’s longtime restaurant professionals show up to celebrate the industry and honor their friends.  Ours is a tough business.  It’s important to recognize and support those who continue to inspire us with their creativity and hard work.”

“The party is a great opportunity for us to visit with one another. Most of us are working 60-plus hours a week so we rarely get to see each other. This gives us a chance to enjoy a drink and some great food while we honor the visionaries among us.”

The event originated in 2004 as the brainchild of Greg Elias, who began working in Valley restaurants at the age of 18. A Milwaukee native who moved to Arizona with his folks in 1960, Greg began working at Joe Hunt’s in 1968. He later tended bar at various restaurants and nightclubs, and in the mid-1980s opened a dance club called Vinnie’s with several partners including his wife, Paula. In 1992, he opened Eli’s at Camelback and Scottsdale Road, later moving it to Scottsdale and Shea. He and Paula devised this event to pay homage to his heroes in the business.

The first honorees in 2004 were Dale Anderson, Dale Anderson’s; Joe and Evelyn Miller, El Chorro; Louis Germain, Sans Souci; and Victoria Johnson, Macayo, were honored for their 50-plus years in the business.

Acknowledged for their body of work in 2005 were the Corral Family, Los Olivos Mexican Patio; Gwen Briley, The Pink Pony; Jim Paul, Rawhide; and Gwen Herndon, Handlebar-J.

In 2006, the honorees were Cathy Bua, Cathy’s Rum Cake Catering; Angelo Livi and Benito Mellino, Avanti Restaurant; Tommy Maggiore, Tomaso’s; Olivia Garcia and family, Garcia’s; J.R., Fred and Ted Verdugo, Oaxaca; and Don Carson, Don & Charlie’s. Special industry recognition awards were presented to Bill Weigele, president, Arizona Licensed Beverage Association; and Nikki Buchanan, restaurant critic for Phoenix Magazine and New Times.

Those honored in 2007 were Bob Sikora, Bobby Q’s; Tony Duran, Zip & Kathy Killeen, Tee Pee; Mettler family, Duck & Decanter; Michael Monti, Monti’s La Casa Vieja; Dave Werner, Dirty Drummer; and Ed & Marie Chilleen, Crazy Ed’s, Horny Toad. Special industry recognition awards were presented to: Don Carstens, restaurant designer; Patricia Myers, former Arizona Republic Food Editor, Phoenix Magazine restaurant critic; Carol Steele, chef-owner, Aravaipa Farms, Carol Steele & Co.; and Fred and Jennifer Unger, Hermosa Inn.

The 2008 awardees were Vincent Guerithault, Vincent on Camelback; Deidre Pain, Malee’s; Richard and Cindy Huie, The Salt Cellar; Bud and Doris Travers, Ernie’s Inn; Razz Kamnitzer, Razz’s; and Lenny Rosenberg, Zen 32, Delux Burger. 

Published on behalf of Eli’s American Grille

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