The annual Devour Culinary Classic tasting event and competition returned to Phoenix this year after a three-year hiatus due to the pandemic. Tickets went on sale on Nov. 5 and were sold out by Nov. 13, a testament to the event’s popularity.
Devour took place at Desert Botanical Garden on Feb. 25 and 26, when a panel of judges each tasted dishes and beverages from 77 participating restaurants. Judge’s scores were calculated based on taste, presentation, degree of difficulty and creativity.
The four judges were Washington Post national food reporter Tim Carman, Food & Wine writer Nikki Miller-Ka, Eater SF editor and former Arizona Republic dining editor Lauren Saria and former Arizona Republic food critic Howard Seftel.