Pastry Chef Shuka Parker, originally from Awaji Island, Japan, transitioned from early childhood education to baking after moving to Tucson in 2009. Initially self-taught, she became a professional pastry chef and launched her company “Shuka Sweets” in 2023. She is a member of the Gastronomic Union of Tucson and active in Tucson’s culinary community, and is dedicated to blending traditional heritage ingredients with innovative culinary creations.

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Chef Angela Garcia is a private chef dedicated to the rich culinary traditions of Tucson, Arizona. As an official ambassador for the first-designated UNESCO City of Gastronomy in the USA, she specializes in heritage foods of the Sonoran Desert, creating menus that tell a story of the region’s diverse cultures and history. Every dish is a tribute to the land, its people, and the ingredients that have sustained them for centuries. As a Tucson Chef Ambassador, she has interpreted Tucson’s multicultural cuisine and food heritage at community events and in San Antonio, TX.

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Chef Mathew Cable is a Tucson-born chef and restaurateur, co-owner of Zio Peppe and owner of Fresco Pizzeria & Pastaria and First We Eat Catering & Confections. He showcases Italian-American roots through Sonoran Desert ingredients, celebrating local farms and borderlands traditions. A TCOG Chef Ambassador and Gastronomic Union of Tucson co-founder, he has represented Tucson’s gastronomy at culinary events in Boston and Parma, Italy.

Tucson native, Sophia Rankin, is an accomplished multi-instrumentalist and singer/songwriter with a diverse repertoire that spans the musical genres of folk, pop, rock, and Americana. Sophia began performing in 2015 and now leads acclaimed Alternative Folk Rock band Sophia Rankin & The Sound (SRS). Sophia has won first-place awards at Tucson Desert Song Festival, Stefan George Songwriting competition, and 6th place at Planet Bluegrass Folks Fest for her original music. Opening for acts such as Pat Benatar + Neil Giraldo, Dylan Marlowe, Beach Weather, Raynes, Jake Owen, Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers, and more, SRS has become a staple in the Arizona music scene. Their unique blend of folk, pop, Indie, Americana, and rock music reveals introspective songwriting that resonates with listeners of all ages. Their original music is available on all listening platforms and services.

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Tesoro is an acoustic-driven musical collaboration featuring founding guitarist-songwriters Justin Fernandez and Brian Scott alongside vocalist Juliet Fernandez. Blending Spanish guitar traditions, cinematic folk, Latin rhythms, and contemporary songwriting, the trio creates music that feels both timeless and deeply personal.

For more than two decades, Justin and Brian have shared a musical partnership rooted in friendship, crafting a distinctive sound shaped by desert landscapes, world influences, and a passion for storytelling. Juliet’s expressive vocals bring a new dimension to the music, adding warmth, power, and emotional depth that has helped define Tesoro’s latest creative chapter

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Gabrielle “Gabby” Pietrangelo is an award-winning singer-songwriter, guitarist, and performer whose desert-inspired songs have made her one of Southern Arizona’s most beloved musical voices. Winner of the 2023 John Lennon Summer Song Contest for her Tucson anthem “Summer Losers,” she is known for her evocative songwriting, distinctive guitar arrangements, and engaging live performances. In 2025, she released her acclaimed album Back to the Heart with a sold-out concert at Tucson’s historic Temple of Music & Art. The album features collaborators including John Convertino and Jacob Valenzuela of Calexico. In addition to performing, Gabrielle directs a thriving private music studio and leads community music projects including Tucson Protest Choir and Song Church, building a career rooted in artistry, collaboration, and community.