Supporting local culinary innovators is critically important during the Valley’s long, scorching, revenue-depleted summer season. These one-off events and special dining series are the perfect way to show your support – and get a singular meal in the bargain.

Father’s Day Lunch at COURSE in Scottsdale/June 21

If you’re looking for a Father’s Day festivity – look no further. Chef Cory Oppold is hosting a one-day-only dining experience at Scottsdale prix fixe legend COURSE on Sunday, June 21 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Starting at $150, the lunch invites guests to enjoy reimagined classics made for multi-course enjoyment. Famous for his victory on the Food Network show Chopped in 2019, Oppold and the culinary team at COURSE will create a unique and notable menu for the one-afternoon-only celebration. The seven-part culinary aria includes a haute “loaded baked potato” with bacon jam, sour cream, burnt onion, powdered cheddar, shallot, and chive; cured tuna with cantaloupe Bavarian, pickled honeydew, cucumber, ginger, Fresno chili and calamansi; and

Oppold’s mythical lobster corndog with sweet potato, corn, Thai red curry, coconut, lemongrass and Thai basil.

For updates and the finalization of the menu, visit courserestaurantaz.com. Reservations are now available via Open Table.

Uchi Scottsdale’s Collaborative Summer Dining Series/June-September

Beginning on Tuesday, June 9, Uchi Scottsdale welcomes back a slew of talented chefs to collaborate and bring a unique twist to Uchi’s signature Japanese cuisine. Uchi Scottsdale chef de cuisine Blake Luecke will collaborate to deliver unique meals with each chef, beginning with Digby Stridiron of beloved Downtown pan-African restaurant Latha.

The kickoff evening on June 9 will blend Chef Stridiron’s African, Brazilian, Caribbean and Southern U.S. culinary techniques with Uchi’s Japanese expertise curated with seasonally selected items.

The summer-long series will also feature collaborative dinners with chefs from INDIBAR, Pa’La and Chula Seafood. The dinner series will continue through September 8, with one collaborative evening per month from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Tickets are available for $175 per person, with additional tax and gratuity. To book a reservation for any of the four nights, visit sevenrooms.com.

Courtesy of Uchi

Carcara Sunday dinner/PHOENIX magazine

Sunday Dinner Seafood Remix at Carcara in Phoenix/June 7

Come to Carcara on Sunday, June 7, for an Old West culinary showdown with a coastal twist. Three chefs will go head-to-head as Exceptional Vibe’s Sunday Dinner Series makes its way to the flagship eatery at the Sheraton Phoenix Downtown.

The theme is Seafood Remix, and each of the chefs will prepare a finely crafted dinner which diners will vote on. The winner will then be sent to the World Food Championships to compete in the event’s seafood category in 2027. The power falls on ticketholders’ shoulders to vote on the most delicious seafood concoction – paired with cocktails crafted by the Carcara bar team.

The three chefs competing will Carcara’s Dominique St. Pierre, who recently claimed the Best in Show prize at the 2026 Devour Culinary Classic, a victory at the Arizona Soup Festival, and a standout performance at the inaugural AZ Brunch Fest last December; chef Jose “Pony” Flores of Downtown smash-hit Pony’s Miches Bar & Grill, noted as a master of ceviche and aguachile; and chef Brian Paskvan of Ella on the Park at Hotel Solaya, whose culinary career as taken him to some of the most celebrated food cities in the world, including Seattle, Los Angeles, New York City, Ho Chi Minh City, Houston and New Orleans.

The $150 ticket price includes appetizers, dishes created by the three competing chefs and the accompanying drinks. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit exceptionalvibe.com.

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