CULINARY EVENT SERIES
Cultivating memorable experiences rooted in flavor.
Immerse yourself in a culinary escape dedicated to the art of farm-to-table dining, where rich flavors and exceptional pairings take center stage in a beautiful Sonoran Desert setting. Experience hands-on workshops, engaging demonstrations, and exclusive tastings, all guided by Castle Hot Springs’ culinary experts.
Choose your event experience with a flexible 2-night or 4-night option. Full event itinerary below to help you decide your culinary adventure.
Highlights:
Arizona residents, receive 20% off your room rate for June event dates.*
*With valid Arizona ID
Full event details, menus and itinerary below.
4-NIGHT EXPERIENCE
$500
ADDITIONAL PER PERSON, PER STAY
2-NIGHT EXPERIENCE
$250
ADDITIONAL PER PERSON, PER STAY
Castle Hot Springs is pleased to partner with Fresh Start for the Sonoran Epicurean Escape in June 2025 with 100% of the ticket proceeds benefiting the foundation. Learn more below.
TO BOOK
Click on your preferred date below, select your preferred room type, click “show rates” and select “Sonoran Epicurean Escape”. Arizona Residents, select “Sonoran Epicurean Escape for Arizona Residents”
EVENT DATES
NOV. 30 – DEC. 4, 2025
An inclusive stay just got better, this unique culinary event series creates a communal atmosphere to celebrate the art of flavor.
Embark on an interactive farm tour with Executive Chef Chris Knouse and Lead Agronomist Ian Beger. Guests will learn about flavor profiles, combinations, growing techniques, the importance of eating seasonally and how to apply to wherever they call home.
Extend the flavor lesson by tasting with an exclusive welcome reception and dinner. Chef Knouse will walk through each plate, highlighting how each dish was created on the flavor side and the creative side of plating.
Discover growing techniques of an in season, southwest garden staple, from seed to plate. You’ll learn how to harvest, prep, and prepare an element for your lunch that day.
Create a custom tea blend using dried herbs from the Castle Hot Springs farm. You’ll learn the basics of herb drying, flavor combination and preparation to take home and continue from your own herb garden.
Chef Knouse will lead guests on an interactive cooking class, highlighting his standard daily process. Head out to the farm to harvest needed ingredients, learn new cooking techniques and dazzle your friends with your newfound creative plating skills.
Savor an amazing feast, featuring a communal dinner at the Farm. Plus, a pop-up bar with craft cocktails*, select wine-pairings, lounge seating and live music, making for a magical evening under the stars.
Join Sommelier, Sarah Foote, as guests explore an exclusive list of paired wines for each of the courses. Learn the Sommelier secrets to pairing wines by showcasing Chateau Montelena Winery.
Wind down the evening with Sommelier Sarah Foote and a hands-on demonstration creating your own charcuterie board while pairing the perfect wines from paired cheeses.
Guests shake things up with a margarita making class and contest. Incorporate flavors from the desert or farm to make it unique and our team of mixologists will pick the best for a chance to be the featured cocktail at dinner that night.
*Cocktails are available for purchase at this event. Daily beverage credit can be applied.
EVENT REVIEWS
“The meal planning and integration of diverse organics in the food creation and decor made dining experiences uniquely delicious as well as eye pleasing. The hands on greenhouse experience and food prep activities in addition to the evening dinners were extra fun too…. …Gavin our Mezcal barista was A+ for creativity! We wish we could have stayed longer, but we left with wonderful memories. We look forward to another visit soon.”
“It was in a word… AWESOME. We loved everything about it. The staff is excellent starting with Chef Chris, Farmers Ian and David, Mixologist Gavin and your Wine Director Sara. We were very impressed with every interaction and the passion for the work was unmistakable.”
“This event was out of this world, every event exceeded our expectations! Chef Chris, Sommelier Sarah, Farmers Ian, David, and Andrea, sous-chef Quintin, mixologist David, and General Manager Kevin knocked it out of the park. The entire CHS staff was a pleasure to interact with; each person enjoyed their position and were very eager to interact with the guests.”
*Cocktails are available for purchase at this event. Daily beverage credit can be applied.
PERSONALITIES
CHRIS KNOUSE
EXECUTIVE CHEF
SARAH FOOTE
SOMMELIER & DIRECTOR OF FOOD & BEVERAGE
IAN BEGER
AGRONOMIST
Make a meaningful impact within our community while attending this event. Attendance to this event guarantees 50% of event proceeds will be donated to Fresh Start Women’s Foundation.
A pillar in the Phoenix community for over 30 years, Fresh Start transforms lives by providing access and resources that help women achieve self-sufficiency and use their strength to thrive.
Fresh Start provides women with the holistic services and support they need to build personalized pathways out of poverty and towards self-sufficiency.
