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Gastromé Market aims for education, indulgence

BY ALEX GALLAGHER Progress Staff Writer

Gastromé Market opened earlier this month, giving residents of Gainey Ranch, McCormick Ranch and their neighbors a new place to shop for specialty wines, cheeses, spices and other items that can’t be found elsewhere.

The market, situated in a 5,000-squarefoot facility off of Doubletree Ranch Road between Scottsdale and Hayden roads, is divided into a market, a wine cafe and a classroom where cooking and wine pairing classes will be held.

“We believe in the education of food,” explained Gastromé Market co-owner Jenny Le.

Added Gastromé Market co-owner Tiffany Chavez: “We want people to understand and appreciate where this food that comes from nourishing us and gives us some great protein-packed things with little to no �illers.”

Le herself found a love for wine and cheese through her education.

Growing up, she said, she loved food but wasn’t very fond of cheese.

That all changed when her career led her to Formaggio Kitchen in Boston, Massachusettes, where she worked as the restaurant’s �inancial controller and learned about myriad kinds of cheese and how to pair them with wine and other products.

Soon Le went on a quest around the world to �ind the best cheeses and other products that she hoped to feature at a restaurant of hers someday.

Along her quest, she also found love in Chavez – a physician’s assistant who met Le while hiking through the Massachusetts wilderness.

“I met Jenny when I was in a state where I was open and receptive to enjoying new foods and she fostered it as a result. We went to some amazing restaurants,” Chavez said.

Chavez and Le joke about their different reactions to food.

“I’m a very vocal person when I eat. So when I’m eating something, I’m like ‘Oh, my God, this is so good,” whereas Jenny goes into an almost Zen-like state,” Chavez said with a laugh.

After Chavez moved from Boston Children’s Hospital to Phoenix Children’s Hospital – where she still works part-time in the children’s surgery department – the duo decided to take their culinary knowledge westward. Together, the two bonded over a love for food and began scouring the world in search of the best foods and spices. They also began planning to open a concept that was similar to Formaggio Kitchen, which also is part specialty grocery store, part wine bar and part classroom.

Le opened Pho Bowl with her sister Oanh in 2018 and after spending four years getting a pulse on the Phoenix culinary scene, decided to embark on creating her dream concept alongside her life partner, Chavez.

After securing a space near Gainey Ranch, they spent months converting it into the concept that Le had fallen in love with.

“It’s the same concept but we have elevated tiers,” Chavez said. “We’re going to have a teaching experience and a really good, fully dedicated restaurant that gives credit to Formaggio Kitchen, but Jenny wanted to help bring these things from the east over so that people could enjoy this new, fun thing.”

The space includes a 3,500-square-foot market stocked full of products from all over the world – including olives and olive oil from Spain and Portugal, spices from South America, and, of course, cheese.

Shoppers can also get a good taste of local goodies through locally made products and wines.

Additionally, guests can enjoy of wine in the 1,500-square-foot restaurant 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. or 5-8 p.m. and stay for a nightly class where as many as 17 guests can learn about things such as wine and cheese pairings and how to cook specialty dishes from a Michelin star trained chef.

With its space laid out and its idea devised, Le and Chavez still knew they needed a name and decided to name their new venture by combining the words “gastronomy” and “gourmet” to get “Gastromé.”

Chavez and Le are optimistic about the new concept. “We see we see this concept continuing to �lourish and we want to remain humble,” Chavez said. “We want to stay engaged with the community, we want to bring together women, we want to bring together diverse crowds and close that that gap on misconceptions about food.” .

Jenny Le and Tiffany Chavez just opened Gastromé Market, a gourmet market at Gainey Ranch.

(David Minton/Progress Staff Photographer)

Kyra James and Chad Torres unbox and prepare to stock cheeses at Gastromé Market.

(David Minton/Progress Staff Photographer)

If you go

What: Gastromé Market Where: 7704 E Doubletree Ranch Road, Unit 140, Scottsdale. Information: 480-656-1357, gastromemarket.com.

Neuropathy Is Often Misdiagnosed

Muscle cramping, difficulty walking, burning, tingling, numbness, and pain in the legs or feet are symptoms of neuropathy people live with every day,” explains Dr. Kerry Zang, podiatric medical director of CIC Foot & Ankle. “The thing is PAD has very similar symptoms. So similar that in many cases, people are told it’s neuropathy when it may not be.”

Medicine is often prescribed. “Pills aren’t a cure, they just suppress the symptoms,” says Zang. “If neuropathy isn’t causing the symptoms, the real problem could get worse.”

It’s important to determine if PAD (peripheral artery disease) is causing the pain or making it worse. PAD is plaque in the arteries which causes poor circulation. “Blood brings oxygen and nutrients to your feet which they need to stay healthy,” explains Zang, “When your feet aren’t getting an adequate supply, they start sending signals.” Those signals include pain, burning, tingling, numbness, or cramping.

The good news is PAD is treatable in an office setting. Dr. Joel Rainwater, MD endovascular specialist explains, “We go into the bloodstream to find the blockage using imaging guidance. Then with small tools that can go into the smallest arteries, remove the blockage, and restore blood flow.”

Getting the proper diagnosis is the first step to getting better. “It’s all about finding out what’s causing the problem,” says Zang. “When your feet burn, tingle, or feel numb, it’s your body telling you it needs help, and you should listen.”

If your neuropathy medication is not working, your symptoms may be an indication of another condition.

For golfers, a stiff big toe can make their game suffer.

HELP!

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Don’t wait for your feet to yell at you. If your feet hurt, they are talking to you. Our doctors can help tell you what they are saying.

Does foot pain prevent you from doing your favorite activity? Do you have burning or tingling in your legs or feet? Do you have leg or foot cramps with activity or at rest?

If you’ve answered “yes” to any of these questions, call our office today to see how our doctors can help.

(602)954-0777 azfeet.com

Dr. Kerry Zang • Dr. Shah Askari • Dr. Dan Schulman • Dr. Kim Leach Dr. Barry Kaplan • Dr. Jeff Weiss • Dr. Patrick Gillihan

Stiff Joints Interfere with Everyday Living

One in 40 people over the age of 50 may find themselves limiting their activity because of a condition called hallux rigidus. It’s a degenerative disease of the big toe joint. As it progresses, the pain in the joint increases and motion decreases.

“People don’t realize the impact their big toe has on their life. It plays a role in balance, shock absorption, and forward movement as you walk,” explains Dr. Daniel Schulman, of CiC Foot & Ankle. “When the joint is stiff, it’s not able to bend and rotate properly, and it changes how we walk without us even realizing it.” These changes can lead to back or knee pain as well as discomfort in other parts of the foot.

“It always concerns me to hear that someone is playing less golf or staying home because they’re in pain,” says Schulman. “There are ways to help.” The goal is to protect your feet from the repetitive stress of everyday activities. “We have several treatment options to not only relieve foot pain but help improve how your feet work. If we can help your feet function better, in many cases the need for surgery can be avoided or at the very least postponed,” says Schulman. “Patients are always happy to learn about ways to alleviate their symptoms.”