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Neighbors
April 18 - May 1, 2015
www.SanTanSun.com
Neighbors Chandler musicians to join pianist at MIM PAGE 57
From farmers markets to brick and mortar AZ Food Crafters find success with hand pies BY LYNETTE CARRINGTON
Eddie Castillo and Mike Caliendo knew they had a winning idea with handcrafted pies. They started AZ Food Crafters and sold the pies at a farmers market in Tempe, then the company’s reach grew to “just about every market in the Valley when we first started,” said Castillo, the chef and lead baker. AZ Food Crafters moved from a rented
Eddie Castillo is the co-owner and chef at AZ Food Crafters, which he owns with partner Mike Caliendo. STSN photo by Lynette Carrington
space into its own bakery three years ago. It added an eat-in cafe two years ago. Known as “The Pie Guys,” Castillo and Caliendo describe their enclosed pastry products as savory and sweet, with two different snack and meal sizes. Customers can stop in for the freshly baked hand pies, traditional round pies, salads, soups and other foods. “The hand pie has been our biggest thing. It’s like a pasty,” Castillo said. “We actually sell more savory hand pies than sweet.” Customers can choose from a selection of four breakfast hand pies, nine meat hand pies and, for dessert, five hand pies. Savory varieties including the new Jamaican beef patty hand pie with grass-fed beef, potatoes, red bell peppers, onion, garlic, habanero pepper, coconut milk, spices, fresh thyme, sea salt and lemon juice. The gold potato is filled with crimini mushrooms, potatoes, onion, garlic, thyme, sea salt black pepper, pecorino romano and fontina cheeses and cream. Castillo said they participate in only a few markets now. “We’re doing Roadrunner Park in north Phoenix on Saturdays, Gilbert on Saturdays and then we do Ahwatukee on Sundays.” AZ Food Crafters also participates in the Farmers Market at ASU during the school year. AZ Food Crafters is offering a special “Brunch at Home” for Mother’s Day. All items are available for pre-order and can be picked up on Saturday, May 9, or
Passover Seder a success for Sun Lakes Jewish Congregation PAGE 66
Where to Eat PAGES 54-55
Chandler Craft Spirits Festival set for year two BY CURT BLAKENEY
When it comes to culture, the Valley has become a haven for food and drink festivals. Benefiting from the area’s near-perfect weather during the spring season, outdoor foodie festivals have been sprouting up everywhere with themes such as barbecue, food truck fare, tacos, tamales and craft beer. The latest one vying for its slice of the public’s affection is the Chandler Craft Spirits Festival, scheduled for Saturday, April 25, between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. at Dr. A.J. Chandler Park in downtown Chandler. “This is different than your wine or craft beer festival,” said event organizer Tiffany Jarratt-Shultz of the Levitate Agency. “We are concentrating on craft cocktail and small distilleries. We had such great feedback from our first year, that we are really excited to grow the event and introduce more people Arizona Distilling Company will showcase its Copper City to these craft distilleries.” Bourbon at the second annual Chandler Craft Spirits Festival. Now in its second Submitted photo year, the Chandler Craft Spirits Festival showcases craft, small-batch, artisanal, boutique and premium spirits and cocktails, as well as a few wines and craft beers mixed in, including popular brews from SanTan Brewing Company in Chandler. SEE SPIRITS FESTIVAL PAGE 44
SEE AZ FOOD CRAFTERS PAGE 44
Celebrate Earth and Arbor days at Environmental Education Center BY MEGHAN MCCOY
The Environmental Education Center officials have scheduled a joint Earth Day and Arbor Day event to reintroduce the 7-year-old Veterans Oasis Park attraction to the community. “Not a lot of people know about the Environmental Education Center,” said Daniella Rodriguez, the center’s coordinator. The free event will be held from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday, April 25, at the center, 4050 E. Chandler Heights Rd., Chandler. Attendees will have the opportunity to see animals, discover ways to become more eco-friendly and participate in many hands-on activities. Rodriguez said with so many new neighborhoods being built near Veterans
Oasis Park, she wanted the annual event to enhance the Environmental Education Center experience with more interactive activities. This year marks the seventh Earth Day and Arbor Day Celebration. The Environmental Education Center was the ideal place for it because it was built as a resource for people who want to learn more about the environment and plants. This year the event will feature such organizations as Desert Rivers Audubon Society, Liberty Wildlife and Arizona Herpetological Association. Liberty Wildlife will bring different birds of prey to the event and teach attendees about the animals. Arizona Herpetological Association will highlight and display various reptiles.
A science-related activity about different bird beaks will be explored, while explaining what types of food these birds can consume. Other vendors will include solid waste services, storm water services, and staff from the recreation division. A Girl Scout troop will conduct a recycling activity and a shaved ice vendor will be on site. SEE EEC PAGE 44
The Environmental Education Center will host an Earth Day and Arbor Day Celebration Saturday, April 25, featuring animals. Submitted photo