KITCHEN DOORS {the eat beat} Photo by Kenna Douds
When he’s not in the kitchen, Chef Brett Vibber can often be found foraging in the desert for local ingredients that he uses to create beautiful, seasonal and unique dishes.
PROUD MEMBER:
“I WAS TAUGHT TO HELP THOSE IN NEED, AND THIS IS A GROUP OF KIDS THAT REALLY NEEDS LOVE AND SUPPORT.”
In addition to cooking and foraging, Vibber leads the culinary arts program for the Scott Foundation, which helps prepare Arizona’s foster youth for the future by providing valuable life skills and exposing them to several career fields. The kids work alongside Vibber and other local chefs to get hands-on experience in restaurant kitchens and culinary events.
PROUD MEMBER OF:
PROUD MEMBER OF:
TRACY DEMPSEY ORIGINALS
CARING CHEFS: BRETT VIBBER
“We plan to implement a curriculum for the kids from beginning classes to job placement,” said Vibber. “The idea is not to turn them all into chefs but to expose them to real-world responsibilities.” Photo by Debby Wolvos
1325 W. University Drive | TEMPE Tracy Dempsey is well-known for providing sensational sweet and savory desserts to several Valley restaurants. Her packaged confections are found at shops, resorts and wine-tasting rooms around the state. A graduate of Scottsdale Community College’s culinary program, Dempsey embraces local ingredients and supports local suppliers. Dempsey’s creations are sold at Tracy Dempsey Originals in Tempe, where she works alongside her husband, who runs ODV Wines. The shop offers wines from around the world, including a large selection of Arizona wines, desserts, confections and local products. In addition to selling desserts and wine, the shop hosts cooking classes and wine tastings.
Vibber has developed a close relationship with the Scott Foundation kids. Some have foraged with him, and some have become his employees. “I was taught to help those in need, and this is a group of kids that really needs love and support,” said Vibber, who also participates in local fundraising events for the American Liver Foundation and March of Dimes. “These kids know they can call me for anything they need.” The Scott Foundation kids were very involved with Vibber’s restaurant, Cartwright’s Modern Cuisine in Cave Creek, which closed in 2019. They will continue to be involved in his new restaurant, WILD Arizona Cuisine. “We have also started a farm in New River,” Vibber said. “My hope is that it will eventually turn into an educational farm where children and adults can come learn about wild food, farmed food and animals that thrive in Arizona.” For more information, visit scott-foundation.org.
“Tracy Dempsey Originals and ODV Wines are proud members of Local First Arizona and endeavor to support our local business community as much and as often as possible, and we encourage our supporters to do the same,” said Dempsey. “When we were first starting, so many local businesses were supportive of us, and we feel it is important to support other local businesses and artisan producers in return.” Dempsey derives great joy from her work. “I love desserts as an outlet for creativity,” she said. “I love tinkering with savory items to see what is possible on the sweet side, such as our blue cheese cheesecake with cranberry chutney and our signature bacon pecan brittle. It brings me happiness to make people happy with my desserts.” For more information, visit tracydempseyoriginals.com.
46 FRONTDOORS MEDIA | FEBRUARY 2020
Photo by Aaron Markus
