A Michelin Star Night at Hacienda Solana

Name: A Michelin Star Night at Hacienda Solana
Start: 2026-04-18T18:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-04-18T22:00:00+00:00
Location: Hacienda Solana

One night. One unforgettable Tucson moment. On April 18, 2026, Hacienda Solana launches at Solana Guest Ranch with an opening night fine dining event led by MICHELIN starred Chef Christian Hunter, formerly of Chicago’s Atelier, plus the 2023 MICHELIN Guide Chicago Young Chef Award distinction.

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Event Info

Michelin Star Chef Christian Hunter. Opening Night at Hacienda Solana

Tucson is about to experience something it does not normally get. Hacienda Solana is Solana Guest Ranch’s new fine dining concept, and Opening Night (April 18, 2026) is designed as a one time ever, headline event. This is not a typical restaurant reservation. It’s a curated culinary performance, staged across a historic guest ranch in Tanque Verde, built for guests who want the rare, the elevated, and the unforgettable.

Only 150 tickets will be released, plus 50 VIP Reserve tickets available exclusively through the waitlist.

Why this night matters

Because it’s the only time this exact lineup, this exact menu, and this exact opening night energy will ever exist. It’s the kind of night you remember by the details. The first sip. The first bite. The moment you realize you are in the right room with the right people, on a property that feels like it was built for this.

And because Chef Christian Hunter is coming to Arizona to cook for the first time, exclusively for this opening night.

About Chef Christian Hunter

Chef Christian Hunter was the chef behind Atelier in Chicago, a restaurant recognized with One MICHELIN Star. He was named the 2023 MICHELIN Guide Chicago Young Chef Award Winner, celebrated for cooking that pairs originality with deep emotional comfort.

Hunter is a Kentucky native whose food is shaped by Southern heritage and a modern, ingredient driven lens. The MICHELIN Guide describes his cooking as delivering that rare feeling of a “home cooked meal out of the home,” while still being precise and elevated.

Atelier itself opened in 2023 and earned a MICHELIN Star in its first year, with additional national attention including a James Beard recognition track and major Chicago acclaim.

On April 18, you’re not just attending a dinner. You’re getting a one night window into the work of a chef operating at the highest level of contemporary American dining, brought into an Arizona desert setting for a single, limited capacity experience.

Featuring Chef Ken Foy

Chef Ken Foy, Executive Chef and Owner of Dante’s Fire, brings the edge, energy, and showmanship that Tucson food people talk about. His philosophy is simple and intense: “Food made from food” with a scratch kitchen mindset.

Foy was crowned Iron Chef of Tucson (July 2022) and successfully defended his title in July 2023.

For Hacienda Solana, Foy and his culinary team are teaming up with Solana’s ownership to launch and operate food and beverage service at the ranch, bringing Tucson credibility and execution power to match the scale of the vision.

And we will feature additional local celebrity chefs, announced as the event approaches.

Don Guerra, the James Beard Award–winning baker and founder of Tucson’s beloved Barrio Bread, is proudly supporting Michelin Star Night at Hacienda Solana. Don will be supplying the bread for the evening’s prix fixe dinner and will be onsite as a featured supporter, celebrating Tucson’s culinary community alongside our guest chefs and partners.

Christian Hunter is honored to be part of this culinary experience not only as a chef, but as a mentor and advocate for the next generation of culinary talent. During his time in Tucson, Chef Hunter will speak directly to aspiring chefs and culinary students, sharing insight from his professional journey, the discipline behind Michelin-recognized cooking, and the importance of curiosity, resilience, and craftsmanship in the kitchen. His commitment to education and mentorship reflects a deep belief that great cuisine begins with investing in people.

In support of this mission, a portion of the proceeds from this exclusive dining experience will be donated to the Pima Foundation, Culinary program. Helping fund scholarships, training programs, and hands-on opportunities for local culinary students. By attending, guests are not only enjoying an extraordinary meal, but also directly contributing to the growth and sustainability of Tucson’s culinary future ensuring that passion, skill, and opportunity continue to thrive within our local food community.

Organizer

Jennifer Davis-Paige, Culinary Travels Worldwide

Website

https://culinarytravelsworldwide.com/

Meet Your Hosts

Christian Hunter Michelin Recognized Chef, Guest Chef

Christian Hunter

Michelin Recognized Chef, Guest Chef

Christian is an award-winning chef and culinary leader with 16+ years of experience driving innovation, operational excellence, and team development across Michelin-starred and high-profile restaurants. Recognized for blending creativity with operational strategy to enhance guest experiences, mentor teams, and implement sustainable culinary practices. Skilled at multi-unit operations, regulatory compliance, and financial oversight, with a proven track record of building inclusive, creative high-performing teams and delivering business results.
Kenneth Foy Tucson Iron Chef, Executive Chef

Kenneth Foy

Tucson Iron Chef, Executive Chef

Chef Kenneth Foy, a native of the Washington D.C., was educated through the American Culinary Federation apprenticeship program. After completing his apprenticeship, he spent time at The Tower Club, and Lowes Island County Club before accepting the Executive Chef roles at the International Town & Country Club, Dominion Valley Country Club, and Midland Country Club. When relocating to Tucson in 2006, he took on the role of Executive Chef at the Tucson Country Club. In 2013, he opened Dante’s and has been a beloved midtown favorite ever since.
Jennifer Davis-Paige Owner, Culinary Travels Worldwide

Jennifer Davis-Paige

Owner, Culinary Travels Worldwide

She is currently the president and founder of Culinary Travels World Wide LLC, a video program which celebrates the culinary traditions of chefs, restaurants and artisans in Arizona. She also serves as the president and host of Boom Goddess Radio, a nationally syndicated radio program and is a member of Les Dames d’ Escoffier International Arizona Chapter.

Davis-Paige is a board member of All Aboard America, which advocates for and promotes the expansion and improvement of passenger rail service in Arizona and board chair for Desert Soul Media Inc., which features two community radio stations. She is the co-founder of Network of Extraordinary Women, an organization with a mission to link a diverse group of women by collaborating, supporting and sharing information that impacts their lives. She helped raise $8,000 for a Tucson-based nonprofit to aid and transform the lives of women who are unhoused, and was honored with the “Spirit of Philanthropy” award in 2019.
John Jacobs Owner, Solana Spanish Villas

John Jacobs

Owner, Solana Spanish Villas

John Jacobs is the owner of Solana Guest Ranch and Hacienda Solana Restaurant in Tucson’s historic Tanque Verde Valley. A successful entrepreneur and business leader, John has founded and scaled companies across hospitality, e-commerce, and technology, including, ArtFire, Maker House, Magnitude (a growth and development agency), and multiple venture-backed concepts such as MenoLabs. He holds an MBA and is a U.S. Air Force veteran, known for building experience-driven brands that blend exceptional operations, standout design, and community-first hospitality.