Arcadia News — award winning neighborhood news since 1993
July 2026
July 2026, page 30

JULY 2026 32 Lunch, dinner, sipÉ and learn S ummer is the perfect season to check on those kitchen skills, experiment with new flavors, and learn the techniques behind your favorite dishes and drinks. Across the Valley, chefs, pastry pros, mixologists, and culinary instructors are opening their kitchens for intimate classes designed to teach everything from pasta-making and truffles to preserving summer produce.  3930 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix vincentsoncamelback.com Vincent’s is known for its refined French-Southwestern cuisine and in July it extends that culinary artistry into hands-on learning opportunities. These sessions are designed to immerse guests in the techniques and flavors that define Chef Vincent’s approach, blending classic French foundations with Southwest ingredients. Participants work in an intimate setting (14 people total) and may learn plating techniques, sauce development, and the balance of flavors that has made Vincent on Camelback a Phoenix culinary landmark since the 1980s. Celebrate 250 years of America and 50 years since Vincent arrived in the U.S. on July 2. This class will showcase watermelon feta salad with honey lavender vinaigrette, stuffed burgers on brioche with relishes and mayonnaise (made as a class) and strawberries provencal. July 12’s class focuses on tomatoes; July 14 is all about Bastille Day; July 20 is homemade ravioli, July 26 is “savory/sweet summer fruits” and July 27 will feature all things fish!   5700 E. McDonald Dr., Paradise Valley sanctuaryaz.com There’s something satisfying about learning to make pasta by hand… especially when wine and dinner are included. Sanctuary’s pasta-making class transforms a regular summer evening into an Italian-inspired culinary workshop where guests sip wine while learning from the resort’s culinary team. The July 8 class, scheduled from 5-7:30 p.m., will have participants watch demonstrations of handmade pasta techniques before sitting down for a three-course dinner that includes salad, a mushroom pasta entrée, and dessert. For those who prefer cocktails over carbs, Sanctuary also offers a Sours Mixology Class on July 25 at Jade Bar. The session explores the history of sour cocktails while guests craft and taste multiple drinks highlighting different spirits. Led by mixologists, attendees learn recipes and also why balance, acidity, and technique matter when building cocktails at home.    5200 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix royalpalmshotel.com At Royal Palms, culinary education comes with a side of storytelling. One of the more unique offerings centers around ceviche – a dish that consists of fish or shellfish marinated in citrus and various seasonings. Starting July 3 and happening Fridays at T. Cook’s Chef’s Table, the class explores the surprising journey behind a dish that originated 2,000 years ago. Small groups gather to learn culinary traditions while enjoying the intimate atmosphere of one of the Valley’s resorts. Cocktail enthusiasts have their own educational outlet. Royal Palms’ mixology sessions focus on crafting signature cocktails while breaking down the fundamentals behind balance, flavor layering, and technique. Guests learn directly from mixologists, picking up practical tips to take home and enjoy.   5445 E. Lincoln Dr., Paradise Valley mountainshadows.com The Brunch & Learn series at Hearth ’61 brings a hands-on culinary experience to summer dining with seasonal flavors and chef-driven demonstrations. Held one Saturday a month at noon, each event features a different theme and a live cooking demo led by one of the restaurant’s chefs. Guests gather in a private dining room setting, where they can watch the preparation of a featured dish while enjoying a specialty beverage. After the demo, the experience continues with a three-course brunch served in the dining room. The menu includes the two dishes highlighted during the demo, a seasonal dessert, and a paired glass of wine or a craft cocktail, creating a full tasting experience from start to finish. The series continues with sessions on July 25, August 22, and September 19.   1323 W. University Dr., Tempe tracydempseyoriginals.com Pastry chef Tracy Dempsey is serving up a summer full of interactive culinary experiences. Intimate three-hour classes invite participants into the kitchen to cook alongside Chef Dempsey while learning techniques to take home. July 18 is Light Summer Lunches for Two: a class designed around approachable dishes beyond predictable salads. Guests tackle everything from BLTs with spicy gochujang aioli and blackened shrimp bowls to bruschetta topped with roasted beets, chèvre, and Arizona pistachios before finishing with key lime pie. Chocolate lovers may want to keep August 1 open. Inspired by legendary pastry chef Marcel Desaulniers and his famous Death by Chocolate creations, the class dives headfirst into rich desserts including fudge cookies, truffles, sorbet, and mocha while offering a sample of the towering cake that helped inspire generations of bakers. The series wraps August 22 with a vegetarian French feast that explores classic techniques through dishes like mushroom crêpes, melon soup, baked brie with roasted grapes, and profiteroles with vermouth-soaked berries. Small class sizes mean participants get plenty of time to ask questions, troubleshoot techniques, and leave with recipes.   10411 E. McDowell Mountain Ranch Road, Scottsdale ccacademy.edu For those who have been curious about preserving fruits, vegetables, and sauces but felt intimidated by the process, Classic Cooking Academy’s six-week canning series (that starts in late June) can help! The course is designed for beginners. Over six weeks, students move from foundational techniques into more advanced recipes while learning how ingredients, acidity levels, and processing methods affect shelf stability and flavor. Recipes range from sweet to savory and seasonal to practical. Participants might spend one class mastering lemon ginger marmalade and another creating smoky barbecue sauce or tomato pasta sauce. Later sessions explore pantry staples and gift-worthy creations like cranberry orange chutney and hot-sweet chili sauce. Each class produces roughly six VINCENT ON CAMELBACK SANCTUARY CAMELBACK MOUNTAIN

33 JULY 2026 LDV Winery (7134 E. Stetson Dr., Scottsdale) is offering a series of interactive wine experiences, including winemaker talks with guided tastings and themed discussions, wine and cheese pairing evenings featuring curated flights with artisan cheeses, and hands-on charcuterie master classes where guests build their own boards while enjoying a glass of wine. Reservations are required. ldvwinery.com Sphinx Date Co. Palm & Pantry (3221 N. Hayden Road, Scottsdale) is launching a weekly Farm Stand popup in partnership with Rhiba Farms. Every Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., guests can pick up farm boxes filled with seasonal produce, with additional add-ons like bread and dairy expected to rotate. Items from Palm & Pantry will also be available alongside the produce offerings. sphinxdateranch.com WHAT’S NEW? HEARTH ‘61 Each class produces roughly six half-pint jars, ensuring students leave with something tangible along with growing confidence. The program also emphasizes understanding the “why” behind canning, helping participants recognize the differences between jams, preserves, marmalades, relishes, and sauces.  7500 E. Doubletree Ranch Road, Scottsdale lazozzona.com Not every culinary class requires a stove. At La Zozzona inside Grand Hyatt Scottsdale Resort, tasting experiences take center stage with customizable sessions built for groups of up to four. Guests choose from wine, spirits, champagne, or non-alcoholic tastings while learning how production methods, ingredients, and regional traditions shape what ends up in the glass. Whiskey lovers can explore bourbon and Japanese whisky side by side. Tequila tastings compare expressions ranging from blanco to añejo. Champagne enthusiasts sample well-known labels while learning how production methods influence taste and texture. Because experiences remain small, instructors can tailor conversations to guest interests, whether that means digging into production methods, food pairings, or cocktail construction. Add-ons like antipasti boards, macarons, truffles, and chocolate-covered strawberries turn the tastings into full-fledged meals meant to be savored.  15200 N. Kierland Blvd., Scottsdale marriott.com Empanadas might look simple, but anyone who has attempted homemade dough knows there’s an art to getting them just right. At AC Hotel Scottsdale on July 11, attendees will learn how to build empanadas from scratch, focusing on authentic Argentine-inspired fillings and techniques. The class walks guests through dough preparation before moving into savory and sweet versions, including seasoned ground beef fillings and apple-cinnamon varieties. Participants also learn how to properly fill and seal pastries, avoid leaks, and achieve the golden flaky exterior that makes them so addictive. Guests work with their booking groups, share equipment, and finish by eating together. LOCALLUXURYRE.COM Ǖ2YO':ƙƙ OOYY ůŬŪƙŮŪŭƙůŬűŪ EXTRAORDINARY ESTATES | ICONIC RESIDENCES KATRINA BARRETT @k:OƔƵ O@2O ����� ��������� ����� ������ ������� �� ��� ���� � ��������� �� ��� �� ������ THE PRIVILEGE OF PRIVACY Ƶ͓·}Ͱ}‰²“Ƶ“îÊ͓ÑÑ£¾¸Ƶ¾œƵо¸×“·Ê¾Í}ÍïƵ“²“}¸Š“Ƶ¡}ÑƵ}Íͣ蓏 £¸Ƶ ס“Ƶ ¡“}Í×Ƶ ¾œƵ L}Í}£Ñ“Ƶ j}²²“ïƙƵ SÜÍ;ܸ“Ƶ ‰ïƵ ·}×Ü͓ ²}¸ÑŠ}Ê£¸Ƶ }¸Ƶ œÍ}·“Ƶ ‰ïƵ Ê}¸¾Í}·£ŠƵ 裓éÑƵ ¾œƵ 9Ü··ï 9¾Ü¸×}£¸ƔƵ ס£ÑƵ ¸“é²ïƵ о·Ê²“דƵ “Ñ×}דƵ ¾œœ“ÍÑƵ }¸Ƶ “î×Í}¾Í£¸}Íï ‰}²}¸Š“Ƶ¾œƵъ}²“ƔƵÊÍ£è}ŠïƔƵ}¸Ƶ͓œ£¸“Ƶ“Ñ£¸ƙ @Ü׏¾¾ÍÑƔƵ ·“×£ŠÜ²¾ÜѲïƵ ²}¸ÑŠ}ʓƵ Í¾Ü¸ÑƵ ͓è“}²Ƶ }Ƶ ͓ѾÍ×Ʃ Š}²£‰“ÍƵ ѓ××£¸Ƶ é£×¡Ƶ }Ƶ ¡“}דƵ ʾ¾²ƔƵ ÑÊ}ƔƵ ¾Ü׏¾¾ÍƵ °£×Š¡“¸ƔƵ }¸ “îÊ}¸Ñ£è“Ƶ “¸×“Í×}£¸£¸Ƶ דÍÍ}Š“ÑƙƵ Y¡“Ƶ ͓Ñܲ×Ƶ £ÑƵ }Ƶ ¡¾·“Ƶ ס}×Ƶ œ““²Ñ ‰¾×¡ƵÍ}¸Ƶ£¸Ƶъ}²“Ƶ}¸Ƶ““ʲïƵо¸¸“Š×“Ƶ×¾Ƶ£×ÑƵÑÜÍ;ܸ£¸Ñƙ 8100 N 64TH PLACE PARADISE VALLEY, AZ 85253