The restaurant scene in and around Bend has experienced an influx of fresh culinary talent rivaling most major metropolitan cities. No longer thought of as just a recreation destination, Bend is now considered a destination for food lovers, or what we refer to as "foodies".
Click on the links below to see who has garnered awards and accolades and to find out what's flavoring Bend's culinary scene...
Pisano's Pizza of Bend Competes at the International Pizza Challenge in Las Vegas
The International Pizza Challenge hosted in Las Vegas on March 2-5, 2010 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. 60 restaurants from around the world will compete in two disciplines, traditional and gourmet pizza. Last year, Pisano's Pizza of Bend, Oregon finished 29th out of 60, beating some of the most famous pizza restaurants in the world. This year, Pisano's will be making a Kobe beef and grilled Maui onion pizza with a roasted garlic and cream sauce, fresh bufalo mozzarella and a wine reduction sauce on top. Stop by and try an award-winning slice!
Top World Chefs Meet in Bend, Oregon to Help Children & Families at the Deschutes Brewery Sagebrush Classic
What sort of event is so powerful that it attracts 18 of the world’s most celebrated chefs – all to a summer gathering in Bend, Oregon?
It would have to be big on culinary excellence but, even more so, it would have to do a lot of good. So it’s no surprise these top chefs will converge on Bend on July 17th for the 21st annual Deschutes Brewery Sagebrush Classic. They’ll be lending a hand to Deschutes Children’s Foundation – an exceptional organization that last year hosted nearly 70,000 client visits at its four collaborative, rent-free campuses where 29 different nonprofit organizations serve kids and families.
From hot spots like Washington D.C., New Orleans, Kansas City and Denver – and even from Hawaii, Vietnam and Thailand – along with some of Bend’s own local stars, these chefs return enthusiastically to ply their trade, enjoy camaraderie with peers and support a marvelous cause.
“Every year, these exceptional chefs amaze us with their presence and participation,” said Jan Eggleston, executive director of Deschutes Children’s Foundation. “We know the event is outstanding and fun for everyone, but they always tell us it’s a joy for them to support an organization that helps so many children.”
The 2009 Sagebrush Classic is set for July 17-18, 2009 at Bend Oregon’s Broken Top Club. The first day will feature a fierce, but fun best ball golf tournament on the challenging and exquisite Broken Top course. The second day brings a food and beer pairing feast without peer, all prepared and served at the beautiful Broken Top setting. The 18 celebrity chefs, all of whom participate without being paid, will set up outdoor booths to prepare and personally serve small-plate dishes to more than 1,000 guests.
To date, the Sagebrush Classic has distributed approximately $2 million that is disbursed to nonprofits that serve children and families through a unique partnership with Deschutes Children’s Foundation. DCF has been facilitating the work of other nonprofits that meet this mission since 1990.
Individual tickets for the Saturday feast are $200. Please call 800-601-8123 regarding golf teams, tables and any ticket questions.
New Restaurant Openings in Bend
| Joolz - downtown Bend off Wall St. |
| 900 Wall - downtown Bend off Wall St. |
| Zydeco - New location in downtown Bend |
| Hola! - New location in the Old Mill District |
| Strictly Organic - New location in the Old Mill District |
More Awards & Accolades for Bend Restaurants
Jeremy Baumgartner wins Iron Chef Competition at the Bite of Bend 2008 -
The Executive Chef at Fireside Red in Bend won this years Iron Chef competition at The Bite of Bend. Competing agains some of the areas finest chefs, Baumgartner won three rounds of competition throughout the weekend to come out as the reigning Iron Chef. He will go on to compete in The Bite of Oregon later in August.
Wine Spectator "Award of Excellence" 13 years straight -
Crossings at the Riverhouse
San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition Winner -
For the third year in a row, Downtown Bend’s only micro-winery, Volcano Vineyards, has been awarded Gold at the prestigious San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition for their Syrah.
Culinary Podcasts
Epsisode: Bend Oregon Fine Dining (Introduction)
First in a series of podcasts about the growing culinary scene in Bend, Oregon.
Epsisode: Bend Oregon Fine Dining (Part 1)
Victorian Cafe owner, John Nolan, explains that good food and drink is as much of a morning experience as it is a dinner experience. Oregon.
Epsisode: Bend Oregon Fine Dining (Part 3)
Rose Manning, Pastry Chef at Nancy P's, a local bakery, discusses her appreciation for local food and product merchants in the Central Oregon area, and her respect of the level of food education shown by visiting and localfoodies in Bend, Oregon.
Epsisode: Bend Oregon Fine Dining (Part 4)
Listen to this podcast and discover Ariana's restaurant in Bend's Westside neighborhood.
Culinary podcasts are a production of BuzzTouch Designs