This week saw the wraps taken off the final winners at the 2024 James Beard Foundation Awards. Sadly, Utah didn’t manage a tick in the win column at the prestigious event. The glitzy bash unfurled this Monday evening at The Lyric Opera of Chicago, with chefs gathered from all over the U.S. As a reminder, Michelin stars aren’t currently a thing in Utah, making the JBF the pinnacle of credentials for many a stateside chef.
The year for the Beehive started brightly with six names making an initial list of talent representing the state. This was ultimately whittled down to two finalist nominations in April. Ali Sabbah (Mazza) and Nick Zocco (Urban Hill) both made the trek to the Windy City carrying the Utah culinary flame. You can see ’em pictured top in their finest – picture courtesy of our contributor Heather King – who also made the gala event to cheer on Utah.
Ultimately neither managed to wrest the big ticket item for best chef Mountain region (Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, and good old Utah) – with Matt Vawter of Colorado’s Rootstalk snagging the award. You can scour through all the other winners here.
A bittersweet ending to be sure, but watch this space. Utah’s first win will be here sooner than many think…
H-Mart finally lands in West Jordan
It might have taken an anxious year’s wait from that original seismic announcement back in 2023, but the hotly anticipated H Mart is now open in Utah. Hotly anticipated is perhaps an understatement. Since that first post last Summer, my inbox has seen queries week upon week – “are we there yet?” And then, with little fanfare, June 7th saw the doors swing open. I was happily out of state. Harrumph.
You probably didn’t miss the news though. The Trib, Reddit, ABC4, KSL, FOX13 – the column inches were wide and broad on this one. From all accounts, a mix of brand aficionados and the curious stretched out of the door on the big day. I hear it’s still buzzing days later.
The store in West Jordan (1442 W 9000 S) is Utah’s inaugural location and clocks in at some 100,000 square feet – making it the largest in the United States; the Trib story confirms 50K of that serves as actual retail space, with a little under half of that again reserved for the upcoming restaurant area. More word on those, as concrete names are laid down.
Two of my favorites bounce back
Also, while I was away, two of my favorite businesses announced plans to get back into action. First up Taqueria Los Lee, who left the local dining scene back in October 2022; their South Salt Lake spot was ultimately replaced by Emiliano’s Taco Shop – also very worthy of your time and tastebuds I might add. Start with the street tacos.
For new readers, here’s me getting all hot under the collar about Los Lee. Consider me all sorts of giddy then, that the business just announced those wonderful gorditas will soon be back on the streets of SLC. Taking to Facebook, Los Lee confirmed they’ll be rollin’ around Utah this Summer in what looks like a new food truck setup. Be sure to follow their relevant socials to keep track.
Another fine name making a reappearance – Garage On Beck. The 21+ bar in the Marmalade finally re-opened its doors on June 7th. After spending a solid six months recovering from fire damage, owner Robert McCarthy last popped up at the April DABS meeting seeking a final extension on their bar license. Bonus news for fans: it looks like the kitchen is almost ready to rock too.
Enjoying our coverage?
- Become a supporter – for just a few dollars a month you can help us remain free of annoying ads.
Want to keep the conversation going?
- Food talk group – chew the fat with other likeminded Utah foodies over on Facebook.
Need some dining inspiration?
- Best of SLC 2024 – what you can’t miss in the Beehive right now.
Hi, I’m Stuart, nice to meet you! I’m the founder, writer and wrangler at Gastronomic SLC. I’m a multiple-award winning journalist and have written in myopic detail about the Salt Lake City dining scene for the better part of seventeen years.
I’ve worked extensively with multiple local publications from Visit Salt Lake to Salt Lake Magazine, not least helped to consult on national TV. Pause those credits, yep, that’s me! I’m also a former restaurant critic of more than five years, working for the Salt Lake Tribune. I’m largely fueled by a critical obsession with rice, alliteration and the use of big words I don’t understand. What they’re saying about me: “Not inaccurate”, “I thought he was older”, “I don’t share his feelings”.
Want to know more? This is why I am the way I am.
This article may contain content provided by one of our paid partners. These are some of the best businesses in Utah. For a list of all our current and past relationships see our partnership history page.