A Taste of AZ

A Taste of AZ
  • 5.0 (14)
  • FOOD
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Food and drink: a shared experience and cornerstone of cultures all around the globe. But how often is the essence of "place" captured in the food? A strong community of taste-makers in the 48th state are doing their part to create an identity of their own while highlighting what truly is native in the Sonoran Desert. These are their stories.

  1. FEB 12

    let's eat w/tucson foodie at agustin kitchen

    let's eat is a special series where we make it all about the food. In this episode, we're joined by Shane Reiser of Tucson Foodie as we head to Agustin Kitchen in Tucson's Mercado District to try some of their top dishes. From sourdough pancakes topped with lemon honey butter and peaches to a rich, savory shakshuka with roasted tomatoes and runny eggs, we break down each plate bite by bite. We also try the smashburger (Shanes first EVER!) made with beef from K4 Ranch, served with that nostalgic, Big Mac–style flavor, plus battered rockfish and shoestring fries that Agustin is known for. A curried chickpea and roasted squash dish rounds out the table, showcasing the restaurant's balance of comfort and creativity. subscribe to our magazine: https://www.atasteofaz.com/subscribe a taste of az instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ATasteOfAZ/ a taste of az facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ATasteOfAZ/ a taste of az tik tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@atasteofaz

    30 min

  2. FEB 5

    tucson foodie

    Tucson Foodie is a community-driven platform shaping how Southern Arizona experiences and supports its local food scene. In this episode, we sit down with Shane Reiser, owner and leader of Tucson Foodie, to talk about his unconventional path from nonprofit work and the University of Arizona to running one of Tucson's most influential culinary brands. Shane shares how he went from being a fan and subscriber to leading the platform. With no formal background in food or media, he breaks down how growing 5 businesses now benefits the growth of Tucson Foodie. This story-telling, experience-driven engine supports local chefs through events, member dinners, restaurant takeovers, and monthly mixers- proving that when you eat local and support local, the impact goes far beyond the plate. subscribe to our magazine: https://www.atasteofaz.com/subscribe a taste of az instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ATasteOfAZ/ a taste of az facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ATasteOfAZ/ a taste of az tik tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@atasteofaz

    52 min

  3. JAN 29

    house of form

    Dala Al-Fuwaires, MFA, Founder and CEO of House of Form, shares her journey from Kuwait to building a design-led business rooted in storytelling, culture, and community. In this episode, Dala opens up about transitioning from teaching to entrepreneurship, how her global perspective shapes her approach to hospitality and interior design, and why understanding both the client and the story behind a space is essential. subscribe to our magazine: https://www.atasteofaz.com/subscribe a taste of az instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ATasteOfAZ/ a taste of az facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ATasteOfAZ/ a taste of az tik tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@atasteofaz

    49 min

  4. JAN 22

    george & gather

    Amber Kovarik is redefining what neighborhood dining looks like in Chandler through George & Gather, a restaurant built around clean, crave-worthy food made with local ingredients. In this episode we sit down with Amber to talk about her leap from a successful career in the mortgage industry into restaurant ownership, and the intention behind creating a space that feels both welcoming and energizing. From the grass-fed signature burger and house-made pickles to the whipped goat cheese that guests can't stop talking about, Amber shares how thoughtful sourcing, family-friendly menus, and community partnerships shape the George & Gather experience.   subscribe to our magazine: https://www.atasteofaz.com/subscribe a taste of az instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ATasteOfAZ/ a taste of az facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ATasteOfAZ/ a taste of az tik tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@atasteofaz

    48 min

  5. JAN 16

    sparrow - designing and building a restaurant experience pt. 3

    This episode is the final installment of our 3-part series discussing the designing, building, & opening Sparrow in Peoria—now open after years of planning and dedication. We sit down with the team to reflect on the entire journey, from early concept to opening day. With elevated American cuisine, a vibrant cocktail program, a striking bar, and a beautiful patio, Sparrow is a major new addition to the West Valley dining scene.   View the previous two episodes: Part 1: https://youtu.be/Sl6IU9L-tkM?si=NeMOe6zmrA6A61Yz Part 2: https://youtu.be/v-U82UJVsu4?si=6zt1XtMszTSOM9Vo   This episode is sponsored by Ganem Companies.    subscribe to our magazine: https://www.atasteofaz.com/subscribe a taste of az instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ATasteOfAZ/ a taste of az facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ATasteOfAZ/ a taste of az tik tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@atasteofaz

    1 hr

  6. JAN 9

    welcome to arizona

    On this episode of a taste of az podcast, we sit down with David and Jesus Vicente, the brothers and co-founders behind Welcome to Arizona. They've built one of Arizona's biggest Arizona-focused media brands from the ground up, and we get into the real story of how that happened. We talk early days, learning content and business from a mentor, juggling corporate jobs while building the page on the side, and the first time a business reached out and it finally felt "real." From there we dive into how Welcome to Arizona works today, how they approach storytelling and partnerships, what brands are actually paying for (hint: audience response), and what it takes to keep growing while the algorithm keeps changing. If you're into Arizona, content, or building something from nothing, you'll like this one.

    1 hr

  7. 12/19/2025

    pure sushi part 2

    Pure Sushi has been a North Scottsdale staple for years, serving up fresh rolls and flavorful Asian fare. Recently, they wrapped up a major renovation — with the help of Arizona Restaurant Consulting, today's episode sponsor. We're joined by Greg, one of the owners of Pure Sushi, and Justin, founder of AZRC, to talk about the renovation process: what worked, what didn't, and how they tackled challenges along the way. And if you haven't yet, check out Part 1 of this conversation from September to hear how the project kicked off! . subscribe to our magazine: https://www.atasteofaz.com/subscribe a taste of az instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ATasteOfAZ/ a taste of az facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ATasteOfAZ/ a taste of az tik tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@atasteofaz

    45 min

  8. 10/10/2025

    barrio bagel & slice

    On this episode of a taste of az podcast, we're diving into one of Gilbert's best places to grab pizza—Barrio Bagel & Slice. We sit down with James Beard Award winner Don Guerra of Barrio Bread fame and his business partner Oren Molovinsky to talk about how this delicious partnership came to life. From converting an old Sonic drive-in into a neighborhood hub for fresh-baked bagels and more, to finding the balance between craft and community, this episode is a true look at how good food—and good ideas—come together. Grab a seat, maybe a bagel, and let's dig in.  . subscribe to our magazine: https://www.atasteofaz.com/subscribe a taste of az instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ATasteOfAZ/ a taste of az facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ATasteOfAZ/ a taste of az tik tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@atasteofaz

    52 min
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5
out of 5
14 Ratings

About

Food and drink: a shared experience and cornerstone of cultures all around the globe. But how often is the essence of "place" captured in the food? A strong community of taste-makers in the 48th state are doing their part to create an identity of their own while highlighting what truly is native in the Sonoran Desert. These are their stories.

Information

  • Creator
    A Taste of AZ
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    100
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Show Website
    A Taste of AZ