5/22-24: International Food and Wine Weekend in Scottsdale

Most of us can't just pick up and jet off to Europe for vacation. One way that people can feel like they're getting away is through food.

This notion has driven the staff at the Scottsdale Resort and Conference Center to offer the first International Food and Wine Weekend, May 22-24. The chefs at the Palm Court restaurant have created an event that emphasizes different cuisines each night.

"We all kind of got together and decided to offer a culinary weekend, especially looking at holiday weekends coming up," head chef Steve Kranicz said. "We are going to offer top-of-the-line food and service, and it's exciting because it gives me and my sous chefs a chance to show off."

Guests can opt for a wine tasting and hors d'oeuvres, dinner, or both. The wine tasting and hors d'oeuvres are served at Sangria's bar.

Friday features California wines, Baja shrimp cocktail and marinated grilled artichokes. Italian varietals will be served Saturday, along with Italian cheeses and marinated scallops. On Sunday there will be Spanish wines and noshes including chile-spiced beef skewers and crab quesadillas.

A four- or five-course dinner will follow at Palm Court, and guests will take a whirlwind trip with the menu each day.

On Friday, the emphasis is on Greek food, with spiced veggie ratatouille and herb-mustard-crusted rack of lamb. Saturday is an international mix with shiitake consomme, house-smoked Nordic salmon and kiwi sorbet. Sunday, the emphasis is on classic French food such as burgundy escargots, duck a la orange and filet of turbot amandine.

"People who dream of traveling around the world can experience cuisines from around the world," said Sally Johnson, an event coordinator.

Some of the dishes are from the Palm Court's regular menu, and some were dreamed up just for this event. It was important for Kranicz and chef de cuisine Ray Anderson to provide a variety of foods and wines.

"We wanted each night to be different in case people wanted to come for the whole weekend, and we came up with these three themes that feature tastes from other countries and different regions in the U.S," Kranicz said.

This also is an opportunity for people to acquaint themselves with the boutique hotel, which normally attracts conferences and business travelers.

"As long as we have been here in the Valley, for 33 years now, so many people locally don't know us, and we want people to be aware that we are here," Johnson said.

Organizers hope to repeat the event annually, if not more often.

"This is really for people who love to eat and taste these pretty classic entrees," Kranicz said. "Our hotel is a bit hard to find because there is no big signage, but once you make that turn into here, you are surprised at this big resort with big Spanish and Tuscan artwork and flair to it.'"