So you’re going to Devour: Have a game plan
Great! You’ve bought a ticket for the 10th annual Devour Culinary Classic, you’ve got your eatin’ pants ready and the big weekend is just around the corner.
So now what?
One of the Southwest’s premier celebrations of culinary creativity, Devour can be a lot to take in, both figuratively
Devour Culinary Classic
11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 23-24. (10 a.m. admission for VIP). $105-$205. Desert Botanical Garden, 1201 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix. classic.devourphoenix.com.
and literally. When you’re a dining critic who needs to sample every single dish in a two-hour window in time to make deadline, that means attacking the festival with a tactical plan and the timing Sometimes, if we’re lucky, a sequel can be even more exciting than the original. This month’s Eat Here First features a pair of second locations that up the ante — the first, one of the most hotly anticipated openings of 2019; the second, a serious step up in class for a popular Tempe bakery and café. However, before we get to either, a sneaky little spot in north Scottsdale that has just thrown open its doors is making a lot more noise than its name might suggest. and precision of a SWAT team.
Thankfully, most Devour guests aren’t dining critics — not professional ones, anyway — and you’re free to enjoy the festival at a recreational pace. Still, with scores of chefs offering hundreds of dishes over two food-filled days at the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix, getting the most out of the weekend can mean striking a delicate balance between FOMO and food coma. So what’s a diner to do?
Ask a professional.
Speaking as someone who has covered local food festivals for a number of years, here are suggestions — both the insider and the obvious — to help you make the most of the Devour Culinary Classic.
Consult the map
Gone are the days when the biggest challenge was trying to avoid getting
squished. Devour’s move in 2018 from the compact courtyard of the Phoenix Art Museum to the labyrinthine expanse of the Desert Botanical Garden was widely regarded as a grand success, but it wasn’t without its own set of challenges.
Navigating the freeform pathways of the garden can be a little tricky even for those who aren’t directionally challenged. This year’s festival will reduce the number of dining areas, beef up the signage and make all outdoor areas available to both VIP and general admission passes, which should simplify getting around.
Still, while it’s tempting to crash the gate with the fury of a barbarian horde, it pays to take a few minutes to pick up a map to find your bearings. They’ll be handed out to all Devour guests. Get one.
Spread out
Crowds of humans being what they are, bottlenecks are inevitable. But despite what the crush of last year’s “Zone 2” might suggest, there’s plenty of room at Devour for everyone. The trick is to be where everybody else isn’t. Resist the urge to get in line at the first booth you pass. Instead, consider starting in an area further from the gate and working your way back to the busier areas.
Be adventurous
Better yet, why wait in line at all? Tempting as it is, you’ve had that gussied-up slice of beef tenderloin before and you’ll have it again. You know how many people had to wait for Clever Koi’s Sichuan braised chicken foot last year? None. You know how many people walked right by it and missed one of the best dishes of the entire festival? Tons.
Point being, chicken feet may not be for you, but there’s only one way to find out. Devour is a golden opportunity to try new things without having to truck across town and drop extra cash. You’ll probably end up loving something you’d never have tried otherwise. And you’ll probably spend less time waiting, too.
Wear comfy shoes
You’d think this would go without saying, but substantial evidence points to the contrary. Be kind to your feet.
Pace yourself
It isn’t a sprint! Well... for me it is. But for most of you, it’s a marathon. So why rush? One of the biggest upsides of Devour at the gardens is that taking a break to sit down is actually a pleasant experience.
There’s plenty of chaos in core areas, but it’s easy to stroll down a quiet path, find a bench, enjoy the scenery and take a little while to digest and recharge. Pause to enjoy a cooking demonstration or a wandering performer.
Take a break to savor a sip at the new biergarten. (There’s a biergarten!) Take your time.
Optimize VIP time
That said, if you’ve sprung for VIP tickets, you might not want to take your time. Not during the opening 90 minutes, anyway. Starting with VIP admission at 10 a.m., Devour will be relatively quiet and easy to navigate. That all changes when the gates open for general admission at 11:30 a.m. and things get busy.
If your goal is to try as many things as possible, you might want to consider tasting as much as you can during VIP time and slowing down the pace once the larger crowds settle in.
Consider Devour the World
Better yet, give Devour the World a try. It’s hard to call something a best-kept secret after only one year, but the Thursday night event might have been the highlight of last year’s Devour.
The Japanese Friendship Garden is downright serene, and the modest number of visitors makes for an experience that’s far more calm and relaxing... and cheaper, to boot.
Don’t forget your recipe book
In celebration of Devour’s 10th anniversary, Local First Arizona has put together a book with recipes from 10 local chefs.
It’s included with admission and will be available for pickup as you exit the festival. Be sure not to miss it!