Utah Arts Festival
While not a food-focused event per se, there’s plenty to eat and drink at this year’s UAF installment. Three days of festivities kick off on June 28th, and on the culinary side, three new notable names are on site. Here’s the details from the organizers:
Killer Dogs – run by an entrepreneurial family who loves getting involved with the community. Their “chief griller” enjoys meeting people and often says their dogs are “gonna change your life!” The signature “Killer Sauce” and toppings like pulled pork elevate the humble hot dog.
Mambo – offers Cuban fusion food, including the signature Cari-Bowl and Cubano. Launched in 2021, Mambo brings the heat of Cuban culture: “We prepare recipes inherited from our rich multicultural ancestors. Our signature Cari-Bowl is a blend of modern and traditional cuisine. Our Cuban sandwich is an honor to the immigrants who came to Miami in the past century.”
San Diablo Churros – serving up freshly made and filled churros since 2016, but is a new addition to the Festival’s Food Row. The founder started the company in Utah after a career pivot. “I perfected my recipe for churros and fillings and we have served hundreds of thousands of churros between catering events and sales events over the past 8 years.”
Amkha Misty Peruvian, Santo Tacos, and Docar Roasted Corn are three other names you might want to check out amongst a total of eighteen food options. Note: VIP tickets afford access to a private patio area which includes complimentary snacks too. Wine lovers might also want to note in advance what’s being poured on-site this year. Again from the festival organisers, here’s what to expect:
White – Casal Garcia Vinho Verde (a blend of Trajadura, Loureiro, Aristo, and Fernão Pires varietals): This refreshing white from Portugal’s Vinho Verde region with floral aroma accented with peaches and lemony notes has a silky mouthfeel, bright acidity, and a slight effervescence to keep things lively–a perfect summer white wine.
Premium White – Portlandia Pinot Gris: This crisp, dry white presents enticing citrus aromas, and peach, apple, and tropical fruit flavors supported by a fine minerality leading to a smooth finish. From Oregon’s Willamette Valley, this is perfect for a warm summer’s day into evening.
Rosé – Casal Garcia Vinho Verde Rosé (A blend of Vinhão, Azal Tinto, and Borraçal varietals): With the scent of raspberries and light summer flowers, this slightly off-dry wine offers flavors of berries, watermelon, and a little citrus with the mild effervescence characteristic of most Vinho Verde wines.
Premium Rosé – Ferrari-Carano Rosé (a blend of Sangiovese, Pinot Noir, and Grenache): This lovely Sonoma County rosé is delightfully fruit-forward with strawberry and cherry on the nose with melon on the palate. Supported by enough acidity to keep this rosé lively, this is a perfect wine for summer sipping.
Red – Samuel Lindsay Pinot Noir: An excellent example of California Pinot Noir, this smooth, dry red wine offers a bouquet of cherry, spice, vanilla with a ripe cherry, plum, and dried fruit finish. Smooth tannins add to a fuller mouthfeel, but still light enough for summer.
Premium Red – Castle Rock Willamette Valley Pinot Noir: From Oregon’s Willamette Valley, this smooth Pinot Noir presents ripe cherries, berries, and floral aromas that are dominated by juicy berries and a hint of spice. A plush mouthfeel, and medium body make this a great red wine for warm weather.
Featured image credit, courtesy of UAF and Jeff Swinger / Wingman photo. UAF 2022.
Brighton Resort
Over at Brighton, several culinary events are being held through the Summer months. One particularly fun-looking event is the “campfire cookout” – to be held once a month at the Milly Chalet. Everything will be cooked al fresco in the middle of the party. Guests can watch as chef Jeffrey Sanich and his team cook a variety of beef, game, and seasonal dishes on open flames, over hot coals. A full bar will be available as well.
Music on the mountain also runs on Saturdays and Sundays. Starting June 16th through August 11th. Featuring “some of the best local artists the region has to offer in a picture-perfect location to enjoy weekend afternoons all summer long. In addition to the music and location we will be offering our world-class BBQ and other amazing food and beverage choices, including a wide selection of local brews.”
Eat Drink SLC
News just dropped about the 2024 edition of Eat Drink SLC – arguably the Summer’s pre-eminent food and drink festival. When the tickets go on sale next week, I’ll share a fuller story with all the names next week when tickets go on sale. Expect this one to sell out fast. In the interim, here’s the initial release from organizers:
Please join us Wednesday, September 11th, and Thursday, September 12th at Tracy Aviary for our 10th annual celebration of food and wine. Each evening will feature a unique selection of culinary delights, beverages, live music, and dance performances, all set within a beautiful garden ambiance. Your ticket includes:
- All food and beverages
- A signature wine glass
- Live entertainment
- Support for three important nonprofits
- An unforgettable experience
Please note that ticket purchases are limited to 4 per person, all attendees must be 21+ and present a valid ID at the door. Tickets are priced at $125 each and non-refundable
Taste Of Montage
This event seeks to showcase samplings of signature dishes from each of the Montage resort’s six restaurants, with cocktail and wine tastings available upon request. The cost is $55 per person with a $50 dining certificate to return to any of their restaurants at a future date. Can you say bargain? June 28th July 26th, and August 30th are the next three TOM events planned.
Hops On The Hill
Beat the heat with an escape to this Deer Valley dining series. Stein Eriksen Lodge invites guests to sample local suds alongside a collection of chef Zane Holmquist’s food pairings on the Flagstaff Deck; Tuesday nights beginning July 16th through August 20 from 6 – 8 p.m.
‘Hops on the Hill has become a beloved addition to our seasonal offerings, and we’re excited for its return this year to toast summer evenings with our local breweries,” says Zane Holmquist, “What better way to wrap up a Tuesday than kicking back with delicious food, drink, and an unforgettable mountain vista?”
The $90 ticket to these 21 and older events includes food tasting, and specialty beer tasting. A $45 “food only” ticket will be available for purchase at the door. The local breweries and live music acts featured each week include:
- July 16: Uinta & Bohemian Breweries / Nate Robinson
- July 23: 2 ROW & Bewildered Breweries / Chris Bender
- July 30: Fisher & Squatters Breweries / Dave Bowen
- August 6: Epic & Wasatch Breweries / Terrence
- August 13: Templin Family & Helper Beer Breweries / Gary Tada
- August 20: Mountain West, Level Crossing and Mad Fritz Breweries / Mr. Sister
Greek Festival
A major Utah institution at this point, and of course, back again this year – September 6th through 8th. Kids under five are free, and everyone else pays a nominal $5 admission fee. The three-day festival has a solid food offering celebrating Greek culinary tradition, gyro through galaktoboureko. The organizers write:
The Salt Lake Greek Festival is the 2nd largest cultural festival in Utah and the largest Greek Festival West of the Mississippi. Experience Hellenism and Orthodoxy as we showcase our delicious food, spectacular dancers, hospitality and our Orthodox faith through beautifully guided tours of our amazing Cathedral and museum. It is my hope that this years festival will be the biggest and best ever! So, as we say in Greek, Kalos-orisate (welcome,) and Kali-dia-ske-tha-si, (have a great visit.)
City Weekly Beer Festival
This one surely needs no introduction. Utah’s biggest beer bash heads to The Gateway again for 2024. This year’s event reprises its 2023 location over at The Gateway. The beer bash runs August 17th and 18th, 2.00 p.m. – 8.00 p.m. each day.
Festa Italiana
Another Gateway-hosted event is back again this year. Vendors are still to be confirmed, but lovers of all things Italian won’t want to miss this September festival. September 14th and 15th with free entrance.
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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.
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