For those of you in my “generation,” you cannot help but recall the nightly new segment close from the infamous anchor, Walter Cronkite.  After visiting with you in your living room for 30 minutes, sharing the world events of the day, Walter would close with an authoritative “…and that’s the way it is…” followed by the date.  Somehow, you just knew that that’s all the news there was to tell.  No debate, no questions asked.

Well, while I’m no Walter Cronkite, I can report to you that the Tucson Culinary Festival, featuring the Tucson Originals (www.tucsonoriginals.com)  held from October 1-4, 2009, was by this bystander’s opinion, a smashing success.  While I could not attend the Thursday Margarita competition, nearly 275 guests enjoyed the event with Jax Restaurant (www.jaxkitchen.com)  owner Brian Metzger taking home the winning prize for the second year in a row; quite a feat in light of the very heavy competition.

My wife and I were fortunate enough to attend both the Friday evening Reserve event and the Saturday evening Grand event…..both bringing out the some of the very best cuisine in Tucson along with endless wine and spirits to pair such as margaritas.  The Friday evening Reserve affair attracted approximately 300 lucky guests and featured about a dozen of the Tucson Originals, offering an incredible array of cuisine ranging from Janos’ Himachi dish (www.janos.com)  to Doug Levy’s Slow cooked Lamb stew with butternut squash jam (www.eatatfeast.com), Jonathan Landeen’s Bacon wrapped shrimp (www.jonathanscork.com) and Albert Hall’s Duck Canneloni (www.acaciatucson.com).  The Saturday evening event, the Grand Tasting, was a high energy festive attraction with nearly 800 guests enjoying cuisine from all of the Originals with wonderful wines and spirits.  Rounding out this year’s Festival was the Sunday morning Brunch Cook off between chef Jeff Fuld from Elle (www.ellerestaurant.com) and Blue Fin’s Jim Murphy (www.bluefinrestaurant.com) with Jim barely taking the prize.

As much fun as was had by all, let’s not overlook one of the primary goals of this event….to raise funds for the Parseghian Foundation (for Nieman-Pick Type C disease and other neurodegenerative diseases) and New Beginnings For Women and Children, supporting homeless women with children.  Thanks to all for attending.  And that’s the way it is……October 5, 2009……….

Tags: Acacia, Elle Restaurant, Feast restaurant, Janos and J-Bar, Jax Kitchen, Jonathan's Cork, Tucson Originals