Phoenix is officially the fastest growing city in the nation. New data from the US Census Bureau indicates that Phoenix added a total of 32,113 new residents between 2015 and 2016. Like much of the American west, Phoenix depends on population growth to support a variety of local industries, including construction, business, and hospitality. As such, the restaurant industry has also made some huge strides.
In 2007, Phoenix’s restaurant industry earned $49 million in revenue. While that growth stalled during the recession, it rebounded to $59 million by 2014. This trend was primarily fueled by an increase in the number of new restaurants that opened over the last several years. Mid-sized restaurant conglomerates like Upward Projects and Fox Restaurant Concepts are leading this charge. Since 1998, Fox Restaurants Concepts has created more than 15 unique dining concepts and opened 50 plus restaurants, including Culinary Dropout, Blanco Tacos and Tequila, and Flower Child.
Despite this progress, the restaurant industry has always been subject to high costs and low margins. According to the National Restaurant Association (the other NRA), full-service restaurants have a median net income of 6.1% before taxes. In other words, restaurants keep $6.10 out of every $100 they make. With such a small margin for error, restaurants are devising strategies to reach new audiences, and food festivals are at the top of the list. Just this year, the Phoenix metropolitan area has hosted more than 40 food festivals of various sizes. If you’re interested in supporting local restaurants, consider visiting one of these four upcoming food festivals.
Mac & Cheese Fest AZ — October 7
The first upcoming food festival is all about macaroni and cheese. Held at the Scottsdale Waterfront, Mac & Cheese Fest AZ will feature dishes from more than 30 restaurants, chefs, and craft breweries from all over the valley. The festival will also host a live cook-off known as the Mac & Cheese S’Mac Down. In this cheesy competition, top chefs will compete to win the Golden Noodle trophy. Last, but not least, attendees can build up their appetites in an outdoor gaming area known as the Big & Cheese Game Deck. Games include Giant Jenga, cornhole, and ping pong.
A general admission ticket costs $15, but tasting and drink tickets are sold separately. Interested parties can also purchase a $75 VIP ticket which comes with 5 drink tickets, 15 tasting tickets, advanced entry, and access to a private lounge.
Four Peaks Oktoberfest - October 13 through 15
Dust off your lederhosen for Oktoberfest at Tempe Town Lake. Sponsored by Four Peaks Brewing Company, this three-day event will feature more than 30 varieties of beer as well as exhibits from local restaurants and watering holes. The event will also include carnival rides, sporting events, and performances by live musicians.
The best part is that admission is free for everyone. Oktoberfest at Tempe Town Lake is organized by Tempe Sister Cities, an award-winning nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting multiculturalism. As such, the event’s proceeds are used to send more than 30 high schools and teachers to international sister cities for five weeks each year. France, Ireland, New Zealand, India, Sweden, Germany, and China are among the participating cities.
Arizona Taco Festival — October 14 and 15
The next event on the list will be held at Salt River Fields, the spring training grounds for the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Colorado Rockies. This taco-themed festival will feature a slew of different shows and competitions, including lucha libre wrestling, live music performances, a taco-eating contest, a chile pepper eating contest, a margarita expo, a tequila expo and more. The highlight, however, is probably the Chihuahua Beauty Contest, a nonprofit competition that donates its proceeds to the Arizona Chihuahua rescue.
The Arizona Taco Festival also requires attendees to purchase a wristband in order to enter the event. Once inside, the wristband can be used to pay for tacos, margaritas, and beer at more than 50 local restaurants. The main bar experiences are sponsored by Dos Gringos, El Hefe, Salty Senorita, Wasted Grain, and Old Town Gringos. Check out Groupon for relevant deals.
Phoenix Pizza Festival — November 18
The Phoenix Pizza Festival is the first festival in Arizona dedicated to the love of pizza. Held at the Margaret T. Hance Park, this cheesy festival will feature more than 15 pizzerias, craft breweries, and local wineries. Other attractions will include live bands, lawn games, dessert stations, and even an area where kids can create arts and crafts.
Like the taco festival, a general admission ticket is required to enter the premises. Once inside, vendors will sell their pies for $2 to $4 a slice. Beer and wine tickets are sold separately and can only be purchased with cash. A portion of the total proceeds will be donated to Downtown Phoenix inc., a local organization dedicated to creating a living, breathing downtown.
