​Food Day is celebrated to inspire people to change the way we look at food, personally and collectively.  Phoenix Food Day brings education and entertainment together to help the valley move towards a healthier future.

Eating healthy is good for you, the economy and the environment!

Thanks to the Cartwright School District, Valley of the Sun United Way, and Maricopa County Food Systems Coalition, and the University of Arizona Maricopa County Cooperative Extension for their efforts is planning this FREE family-friendly community event. 

APPLE CRUNCH

Thank you to Fry's for sponsoring the Apple Crunch at Phoenix Food Day and providing the delicious apples.  Be there at NOON for the Apple Crunch and help set a record for the most people crunching an apple at once at Food Day in support of healthy eating!

COOKING DEMOS

Executive Chef Lee Strand, Bon Appetit

Lee brings over 30 years of experience in food service; ranging from country clubs, private four star restaurants, casino restaurants, college cafes, and corporate dining. Through years of dedication to details, Lee has learned how to make a crowd happy with delicious food and superb service. He loves to hear feedback on all that he creates, so he can continue to cater to and exceed your expectations. Lee enjoys Bon Appetit’s promise to utilize local, fresh, seasonal ingredients to make amazing cuisine.

Chef Yesenia Perrino, Cafe Bon Appetit

Yesenia Perrino was born in Mexico and grew up in Chicago.  She remembers her grandmother fondly and credits her for being the best cook in the family and igniting a passion for cooking.  In 1994 Yesenia started her culinary career at the Hollywood Casino in Aurora, Illinois where she worked her way through every station gaining the knowledge she needed to apply for the Sous Chef position, which she was later awarded.  

She moved to Arizona in 2002, closer to her husband’s extended family and they were thinking of starting a family of their own.  Soon after moving to AZ, she took a job in the resort industry, again working all different facets of the kitchen refining her culinary skills.  Long hours in the kitchen, led her to taking on a position with Bon Appetit offering daytime hours doing exactly what she loved.  A few years later, an opportunity to stay with the Bon Appetit family but work a little closer to home arose  and she joined the Bon Appetit @ MIM family.  Yesenia started baking 6 years ago and continues to grow within her role as Lead Baker. 

Chef Sacha Levine 

Awarded “Best Upcoming Chef” by the Arizona Culinary Hall of Fame, Sacha Levine has cooked professionally for 16 years.  A vital part of celebrated kitchens such as Rancho Pinot, FnB Restaurant, Quiessence, and Atlas Bistro, Sacha, formerly co-chef of Ocotillo, is known for transforming local, seasonal produce and proteins into vibrant reflections of the farmers and artisans from whom she sources.  In the process of designing her first solo restaurant, Sacha and her crew currently host sough-after pop-up dinners, testing out items for the fall opening of the In Betweens.