Desert Botanical Garden members can start buying tickets to the 2027 Devour Culinary Classic today, with the broader public getting its shot on Nov. 30. The annual food and drink festival returns to the Garden for a two-day run on Feb. 27 and 28, 2027, giving Valley food lovers another shot at the tasting event that has a reputation for selling out year after year.
The event, hosted by Local First Arizona, takes place at Desert Botanical Garden, 1201 N. Galvin Parkway in Phoenix, and is open to single-day attendance for guests 21 and older, according to Devour Good Food. General admission runs $150 and covers all food and drink samples plus a commemorative wine glass, as reported by Phoenix New Times. Those who want a head start can opt for the $225 Early Entry Package, which lets attendees begin sampling 90 minutes before everyone else.
The Early Entry Package also throws in priority parking and two tickets for a return visit to the Garden, per the Phoenix New Times report. Desert Botanical Garden's own event listing notes that the Tasting Package covers general admission from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. The festival is presented by Sprouts Farmers Market, with Desert Botanical Garden and Art State Arizona as production partners; Local First Arizona worked with chefs to create Devour.
Nearly Two Decades of Celebrating Arizona Flavor
Devour got its start in 2008, created by Local First Arizona and Arizona chefs with the aim of promoting the state's food heritage and dining scene. Since then, the Garden's description notes, it has grown into a showcase that celebrates the chefs, producers, beverages, ingredients and traditions that make Arizona worth tasting. The festival draws eateries from across the Valley, Northern Arizona and Tucson, featuring local chefs, winemakers, brewers and other producers alongside award-winning restaurants, catering companies and resorts.
Attendees can expect beverages from Arizona and the Southwest, plus goods from local makers that have included bread, popcorn, cocktail syrups and chocolates. The event also hands out prizes for taste and use of local ingredients, along with People's Choice Awards voted on by the crowd itself.
A Look Back at 2026's Double Gold Winners
Last year's gathering, held Feb. 21-22 at Desert Botanical Garden, gave ticket holders the chance to taste offerings from more than 100 restaurants. Two chefs walked away with double gold medals for their dishes: Bernie Kantak for his pork belly pastrami, and Cuisine Privé's Sandra Kazouh for a ranchero brisket with crispy root vegetable gratin, the Phoenix New Times report noted.
The 2026 edition also introduced the Bob McClendon Locally Sourced Award, given to chefs who demonstrate great use of locally sourced ingredients, per azcentral.com. Organizers also expanded the attendee-selected People's Choice Awards that year, and volunteers helped divert more than 3,100 pounds of waste from the landfill through recycling and composting, according to the Devour Good Food recap.
With member sales opening today and public tickets following on Nov. 30, organizers and past attendees alike are betting the 2027 edition will keep up Devour's reputation as what the Phoenix New Times piece calls a perennial sell-out.
