The 18th annual Iron Chef Tucson returns to Desert Diamond Casino Sahuarita on Saturday, July 18, with a full afternoon and evening of food, drink, and a live culinary showdown. The Culinary Experience runs 1-4 p.m. with three hours of food and drink sampling, cooking demos, and classes. The Iron Chef Competition follows from 5-8 p.m. This is a 21+ event. Purchase tickets at the event page.

Two-time reigning Iron Chef Anthony Dromgoole of OBON Sushi Bar Ramen enters this year's battle defending back-to-back titles. He faces Chef AJ Mortazavi of The Barnyard Crafthouse & Eatery, the 2026 Meet the Chefs winner. The secret ingredient, revealed at the start of the competition, determines what both chefs must create on the spot in a timed, live battle judged on taste, creativity, and presentation.

Dromgoole got his start at Olive Garden, attended culinary school at 17, and spent years building his knife skills and kitchen range before going full-time at OBON. He spent time in Seattle, worked at OBON's Scottsdale location, and then returned to Tucson to train under chef Janos Wilder at Downtown Kitchen and chef Brian Smith at Maynard's before taking over the OBON kitchen. He has now won Iron Chef Tucson two years in a row, in 2024 and 2025.

Last year's battle came down to a secret ingredient of andouille sausage, with Dromgoole edging out challenger McKenzie O'Leary of Tanque Verde Ranch. Judges graded on presentation, flavor, and use of the secret ingredient. His andouille hash with sweet potatoes and a slow-roasted pork chop with a pour-over broth drew particular praise.

For a full recap of last year's competition, click here.

Mortazavi discovered his passion for food at an early age and has spent his career honing it as executive chef of The Barnyard Crafthouse & Eatery. The Barnyard is located at 11011 E. Tanque Verde Rd. in Tanque Verde Valley, operating as a full-service restaurant, bar, and gathering place. Mortazavi earned his spot in the Iron Chef final by winning the 2026 Meet the Chefs competition, besting a field of Tucson executive, head, and owner chefs earlier this year.

To qualify for Meet the Chefs, chefs must lead the kitchen of a full-service restaurant within 60 miles of the Tucson metro area and play a direct role in menu development. Judges score competitors on taste, creativity, and visual presentation. Mortazavi cleared that field and now brings the challenge to the two-time champion on Tucson's biggest culinary stage.

The afternoon Culinary Experience gives attendees three hours of food and drink sampling, cooking demonstrations, and classes before the showdown begins. The Culinary Experience Vendors for 2026 include:

• Amelia's Kitchen

• Arizona Wine Collective

• Beyond Bread

• Dedicated GF

• Di Bellas Brunch

• Eegees

• Fudge Escape

• INCAS Peruvian Cuisine

• Peroni

• Purple Devil Donuts

• Ray Ray's Sonoran Spirit Tea

• Savay Coffee Market

• Superior Water Tucson

• Tacos y Mariscos Jalisco

• The Tie Kitchen

• Transit Tea

• Wholesum

Sponsors and supporting organizations include Arizona Appliance and Home, Arizona Restaurant Supply, Blue Moon Brewing, Cutco, Desert Diamond Casino, GAP, Semper Fi Heating & Cooling, SORCE Signature Outdoors, and Whiskey Del Bac. A portion of proceeds from both Meet the Chefs and Iron Chef Tucson benefits the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona.

Iron Chef Tucson 2026 runs at Desert Diamond Casino Sahuarita, 7350 S. Nogales Highway. The event is 21 and older only. Tickets are available here.

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