Eat Tucson

Janos and J Bar

The award-winning chef Wilder says he believes "in the French method, which promotes a relationship between chef and gardener. We've advertised for small, backyard gardeners and we buy everything we can from them." Among the items he's bought in Tucson are greens, garlic, squash, turnips, baby bok choy, mint, basil and cheese. He buys tomatoes and eggs from two women "who call themselves the chicken ladies, and grow everything here in the middle of town."

The above gifts from the garden entree ($28) at Janos is ever-changing, offering an array of veggies grown in Southern Arizona that, the menu states, "inspire our culinary team to prepare dishes bringing out the best flavors of the season."

Wilder seeks out local, natural meats as well, and buys free-range, hormone- and antibiotic-free beef from Double Check Ranch in Winkelman.