Phoenix Baristas Throw Down — with Coffee

The term “Thursday Night Throwdown” means something special. No, it’s not some sort of MMA Fight – the events (usually) result in very little physical violence. A TNT, as we coffee folk are wont to call it, is an ultra-nerdy latte art competition and community-building exercise for area baristas. And…

Pie Social 2014: Who Won Our Pie-Ku Contest?

Once again this year, Phoenix, you take the cake, er, pie for poetry! We had many excellent entries in our Pie-Ku contest, and two lucky winners — as well as a runner up. The winners will join our line-up of esteemed judges at Pie Social this Saturday, Nov. 15. The…

Want to be a Judge at Pie Social 2014? Write the Winning Pie-Ku

It’s the most wonderful time of the year. No, not that. Pie Social! The fifth annual event will be the sweetest ever — check out our celebrity chef line-up and sharpen your pencils, folks, because it’s time once again for Chow Bella’s Pie-Ku contest. And you just might win a…

3 DIY Christmas Gifts You Need to Start Now

If you couldn’t tell by the Halloween candy already being pushed aside for candy canes, Christmas is coming. In lieu of gifting people with more stuff (since we are currently trying to purge junk), I’ve decided to make delicious edible presents this year. Every year I intend to do this,…

Jeff Kraus of Crepe Bar: Pie Social Celebrity Bakers 2014

Forks up, Phoenix! Chow Bella and Roosevelt Row present the fifth annual Pie Social from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, November 15, at the “What Should Go Here” Pop Up Park at Second and Roosevelt streets. We’ve got an all-star lineup of bakers making pies for you to taste, and…

“Fair” Versus “Direct” Trade — What Does It All Mean?

When it comes to buying coffee most people are completely clueless. Shade Grown? Rainforest Alliance certified? Bird Friendly? Organic? There’s no reason to be afraid of these labels, but there are some pretty understandable reasons to be skeptical of them. For many people, there is a certain amount of mysticism…