CARNIVAL

TBD - Date pending

6:00pm - 9:00pm

The Southern Arizona Arts and Cultural Alliance, GUT Chefs and the Rialto Theatre partner to bring you the official CARNIVAL at the Rialto.  The Mardi Gras and Fat Tuesday themed charity event, will feature cajun and creole cuisine complete with authentic King Cake, as well as dancing to live music. The Rialto Theatre will come alive with the sounds and sights of the Bayou, to kick off a Tucson themed CARNIVAL event.  Attendees are encouraged to dress in the spirit of the celebration! 

What is GUT?

The Gastronomic Union of Tucson (GUT) is a collaboration of over 30 local chefs and food professionals. Following Tucson’s designation by UNESCO as a World City of Gastronomy, the chefs of GUT came together to foster a culinary community of creativity, professional development, and community engagement.

The dynamic food scene of Tucson is more than its exceptional restaurants; it is the seed libraries, the food banks, the community gardens, the 4000 year agricultural history, the farmer’s markets, the breweries, wineries, distilleries, growers, ranchers, food writers, and most importantly, the Tucson community that supports them.  GUT seeks to bring these elements together both to honor our food heritage and to foster culinary innovation and creative exchange.

Why?

The event seeks to raise funds for the two worthy arts and cultural organizations, the Rialto Theatre and Southern Arizona Arts and Cultural Alliance programming and events, as well as provide exposure and value to the participating restaurants, wineries and breweries. 

Tickets TBD

All tickets include menu sampling from local GUT Chefs, as well as cocktail and beer sampling, as well as live music and entertainment.  21 and Up Event.

Event Partner

Location

The Rialto Theatre
318 E Congress St, Tucson, AZ 85701

The Rialto Theatre Foundation is dedicated to the stewardship of the historic Rialto Theatre and to offering the most diverse possible array of entertainment for Tucson and its denizens and visitors. By which we mean, bands, comedy, drag shows, speakers, the occasional film screening, etc. We probably would turn our noses up if you came at us with a full-on mime show, though. But that’s just the reality we’re all living in.

Get Involved

Participate in the event as a featured restaurant, chef, purveyor or libation

Support your community and become an in-kind trade partner.  Download the benefits and opportunities here.
Apply for a media pass to cover the event in your publication or blog

Support your community and become an event sponsor.  Download the benefits and opportunities here.

2018 Participants

​Chef Marcus Van Winden (The Dutch Eatery & Refuge) collaborating with Max Provost (Private Chef), Nohemi Montoya (HUB Restaurant and Ice Creamery) and Travis Gary Peters (The Parish) to present
  • Dirty South Mudbug Rolls n’ Gutzz
  • Smoked 'gator boudin sausage with creole mustard
  • Green gumbo & grilled kale garlic rice
 
Chef Tanner Fleming (Downtown Kitchen + Cocktails) accompanied by Devon Sanner (The Carriage House), Tim Moore (Pastiche), and Matt Kraiss (Downtown Kitchen + Cocktails) presenting
  • Brazilian Feijoada
  • Pao de Quiejo
  • Yuca Fries
  • Molho Rose
 
Chef Rocco DiGrazia (Rocco’s Little Chicago) accompanied by Obadiah Hindman (Mountain Oyster Club) and Mat Cable (Fresco Pizzeria and Pastaria)
  • Smokey duck boudin balls with kumquat remoulade
  • BBQ shrimp & pork belly poboys with charred pickle slaw
  • Chicory, celery & chicken heart salad with crispy onions and buttermilk vinaigrette
 
Chef Chuck Scott (Highlands Bar & Grill) accompanied by Sam Krajnak (Red’s Smokehouse + Tap Room), Buddy Hopkins (Ermanos Craft Beer and Wine Bar) and Rica Rances (The Parish) serving
  • Stuffed fresh water shrimp head with a Shrimp mousse
  • Corn flour tempura with Smoked chimichurri
  • Beef Roulade with charred green onion, pickled carrots, bacon, avocado and Serrano cream
  • Coconut flan, filo crisp and sous vide candied plantain topped with a coconut lace garnish.
 
Chef Jim Murphy (Kingfisher), accompanied by Michael Elefante (Mama Louisa's) and Ken Foy (Dante's Fire) serving
  • Heritage Red Beans and Carolina Gold Rice and Pickled Pork
  • Alligator Gumbo, Cajun Trinity, and Tasso Ham
  • Fresh Beignet "Fosters" au Foie
 
Chef Gina Skelton (Casino del Sol) featuring King Cake

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Featured Breweries
  • Four Peaks Single Tank is pure, controlled chaos. Each batch is balanced and delicious, with just enough unexpectedness to keep you coming back. Our brewers take a creative license with each Single Tank to keep you on your toes and always expanding your palate.
  • Goose Island, Four Star Pilsner & 312 Urban Wheat
  • Golden Road, Point the Way IPA & 329 Day of Sun Lager
  • Elysian, Space Dust IPA & Split Shot Milk Stout

Entertainment

The Wildcat Jazz Band, comprised of six world class musicians offers traditional New Orleans and Chicago jazz performed in a spirit and style that is true to its musical roots and wildly popular with audiences around the United States. Founded by New Christy Minstrels veteran Rob Wright and a roster of six Tucson jazz legends, their free-wheelin mix of well known jazz favorites, tongue in cheek originals, dixieland staples has been planting smiles on faces since 2004. 
​www.wildcatjazz.com

The Wildcat Jazz Band will play live on stage at the Rialto at 7:30pm. 

Art Activations throughout the night also include:

Safe Ride Partner

To help ensure all attendees make it to and from the event safely we have partnered with Lyft to encourage everyone attending the festival to plan ahead and keep the community safe. 

​First Time User:
Redeem up to $20 in Free Lyft Credit using code: SAACA
 
Existing User:
20% off your ride to and from the Savor Food and Wine Festival using code: SAVORFEST

Gallery

Special Thanks To Our Event Sponsors