Chef Janos Wilder will be part of Arizona’s tourism promotion at the 12th annual Chicago Travel and Adventure Show in Illinois on Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 23 and 24.
The James Beard Award-winning chef, owner of Downtown Kitchen + Cocktails, will be part of a cooking demonstration using local ingredients, alongside chef Michael Cairns of the Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Montelucia.
“One of the most critical things for people that are traveling is the culinary experience,” said Mary Rittmann, director of public and community relations at Visit Tucson. “It’s not just about getting to go out for a great dinner; now it’s really driving people’s decisions on where to go and what to do.”
Chicago is a key demographic market for Tucson, both by number of visitors and the amount of money they spend in the area, Rittmann said.
After a warm fall in the east, temperatures have plummeted, she said, which is good news for Tucson. “The holidays are over, the weather’s not so good, and people are starting to think, ‘Maybe we should go somewhere?’ ”
Tucson is trying to capitalize on its recent designation as the first city in the country to be recognized for its gastronomy by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.
“That’s really what we want people to know about. Of course the outdoor adventure and the great weather, but not everyone knows what great food and culinary opportunities are out here,” Rittmann said.
Along with a taste of the food the state has to offer, the Arizona Office of Tourism plans to offer show attendees an obstacle course that they could find in Flagstaff, a sampling of Arizona wines and a virtual reality tour of the state, officials said.
