Bring your appetite and thirst for adventure Thursday nights at 7 p.m., beginning Jan. 30, as the award-winning Arizona PBS original series “Plate & Pour” returns for a second season.
Each week, Chef Mark Tarbell visits with local restaurateurs and bartenders, and he joins chefs as they show off their expertise. Experience the science and artistry behind some of the region’s most innovative and popular dishes as Tarbell sets out to explore recent developments and trends in the Arizona culinary scene.
WATCH: See past episodes, explore season one or sign up for Arizona PBS Passport to see each new episode two weeks early.
Neighborhood Roots
Mark Tarbell discovers the Garfield Historic District and restaurants like Welcome Diner and Gallo Blanco that are bringing a foodie scene to life there. He will also stop by The Churchill, a downtown entertainment complex in downtown Phoenix that is unique in more ways than one. Plus, discover Hidden Track Bottle Shop and wines inspired by Phoenix neighborhoods. Web extra: See how Kaiserworks is contributing to the revitalization of the Garfield neighborhood.
City Gems
Mark Tarbell visits three Valley success stories. Chef Gio Osso (Virtu) and Chef Silvana Salcido Esparza (Barrio Cafe) are passionate about their menus. Osso changes his menu as often as ingredients inspire him and Esparza continues to serve her own brand of Mexican food. Breadmaker Jason Raducha (Noble Bread) shows what it takes to make the perfect loaf of bread.
Western Whiskey
Mark Tarbell is on a whiskey tour where he tastes award-wining whiskey in Tucson and very expensive Scotch in Scottsdale (Starlite BBQ, Scotch Library). Baker Tracy Dempsey creates a Manhattan in a cake just for this episode.
The Valley on the Culinary Map
Meet two Arizona chefs recognized by the James Beard Foundation. “Best Chef of the Southwest” Charleen Badman takes Mark Tarbell shopping for some of her favorite ingredients at the Uptown Farmers Market in Phoenix. Then “Rising Star Chef” nominee Samantha Sanz shares her grandfather’s paella recipe.
Rising Stars
Meet chef and television personality Scott Conant, who opened Mora Italian in 2017 in Phoenix. We’ll also introduce you to Cassie Shortino, a young chef working with Chris Bianco, who received her first James Beard Award nomination as a rising chef in 2019. Plus, revisit Hidden Kitchen’s Ivan Jacobo and see how the pop-up diners have settled into Heritage Square.
A Taste of Plate & Pour
Meet people who are changing the way we eat here in Arizona in this collection of highlights from the series so far. Mark Tarbell joins chefs in the kitchen, interview restaurant owners, chat with bartenders and celebrate our local food scene.
The Pioneers
Mark heads north to talk – and taste – Arizona wines with Maynard James Keenan at Caduceus Cellars Tasting Room. He also tours Terra Farm Manor, a culinary get-away in the Prescott National Forest, and chats with Christina Barrueta about her new book on Arizona wines.
Vintage Valley
Visit restaurants that have stood the test of time. We’ll visit Durant’s, which has been family-owned since 1950. See how it reflects founder Jack Durant’s motto, “Good friends, great steaks and the best booze are the necessities of life.” Then ride up to the Handlebar J, a fixture in North Scottsdale since the 1960s that has become a destination for many celebrities and athletes when they come to town. Plus, we’ll admire incredible “Show Stopper Shakes” at the Hotel Valley Ho and stop for pie at Rock Springs Café.
Back to the Farm
Meet people creating high quality ingredients and get a glimpse into the farming methods they’ve been using across generations. Head to Queen Creek to hear the legend of Charles Hayden and how a father-daughter team is re-creating his vision. Meet “Mushroom Mike” and see new ways he’s cooking with his urban-grown gourmet mushrooms. Mark Tarbell also visits Crow’s Dairy in Buckeye, whose goat cheese is used at an impressive list of resorts and restaurants.
Science and Art
See how Chef Cory Oppold of Atlas uses art, math and science to create impressive dishes, including his own version of the rare truffle, made from scratch with southwest ingredients. Also, see how Chef Pornsupak “Cat” Bunnag recreates dishes she grew up eating in Bangkok to create a home away from home for many in the Valley.
Family Business
Mark Tarbell sees just how firmly rooted food is in some families. He visits Hana Japanese Eatery in Phoenix and helps prepares their popular Hana Bento Box. Then, he goes to Happy Bao where they make sheng jian baos using a generations old recipe. Plus, see Mark Tarbell and Chris Nelson of Nelson’s Meat and Fish build a seafood tower that must be seen to be believed.
Pass It On
See what recipes parents are passing on to their children, including an egg scramble and smoothie bowl from Chef Aaron Chamberlin of Phoenix Public market and Taco Chelo. Mark Tarbell joins his mom in the kitchen to make a family recipe for mac and cheese. Then, head to Gilbert to meet British baker Julie Gadsby, who learned to bake from her mother.
Big Dreams
Join Chef Mark Tarbell as he visits one of the most imaginative and innovative cocktail bars in the country, Century Grand. He stops in to cook “low and slow” with Southern Rail chef Justin Beckett. Plate & Pour also stops by Bella Gusto in Chandler and Sweet Republic in Scottsdale.
Home Cooking
Join Chef Mark Tarbell as he checks in with chefs around the Valley who share easy dishes to make at home. Chef Aaron Chamberlin of Taco Chelo prepares a fresh garden salad with his sons, Chef Samantha Sanz of Talavera makes shrimp tacos in her home kitchen and Chef Chris Bianco of Pane Bianco whips up a delicious frittata. Plus, Pastry Chef Clarissa Robinson from Hotel Valley Ho makes a “Show Stopper Shake” that is easy to make at home.
SPOTLIGHT
STAY in touch
with azpbs.org!
Subscribe to Arizona PBS Newsletters:
