Chocolate and cheese festival hits SLC this weekend

After a lamented two year absence, this yearly festival of chocolate and cheese returns to the Natural History Museum this weekend. The two day celebration (Saturday March 11th and Sunday March 12th) starts 10.00 a.m. each day running through to 5.00 p.m.

The event features tastings from nineteen different local businesses – offering everything from gourmet cheese, to handcrafted chocolates through hot sauces and more. Should you swing by you’ll be able to check out product from the following vendors:

• Harmons
• Z’s Hot Sauce
• Grandma Sandinos
• Chili Beak
• Caputos Market and Deli
• Heber Valley Artisan Cheese
• Cache Toffee Collection
• White Lake Farms
• Park City Creamery
• Lark’s Meadow Farms
• The Chocolate Conspiracy
• MillCreek Cacao Roasters
• Solstice Chocolate
• Ashlee’s Sweet Creations
• The Chocolate Palette
• Ritual Chocolate (pictured)
• JulieAnn Caramels
• Lewes Historical Society
• Beehive Cheese

The event is typically one of the museum’s most popular events and also sees a number of educational classes to enjoy; examples include items like Cheese Tasting 101 and Chocolate & Coffee Pairings. At the time of writing many of these are already selling out quickly, so act fast. Speaking of which, tickets are limited, so do grab some in advance if you plan to attend: nhmu.utah.edu/ChocolateAndCheese

In other event news…

BTG Wine Bar

BTG Wine Bar‘s next paired wine dinner is headed your way; pencil Tuesday April 18th in your diary for this one. The bar will welcome Spanish winemaker Bergesio Collezione from Salamanca Spain. Special guests Mauro Bergesio will talk to diners about the about the wines being paired with the four course meal prepared by chef Fred Moesinger.

Pours will include:

• Tempranillo
• Rufete
• Old Vine Garnachas 

The dinner begins at 7.00 p.m. shared and is priced $120 per person (or $60 for food). Call the restaurant directly on 801-359-2814 for reservations, very limited seating.

St Patrick Day’s specials in Utah 2023

Bookmark this page if you want to know what St Patrick’s Day specials are coming to the bars and restaurants of Utah. As and when news comes my way, I will be updating this piece with all the details. So far here’s what I’ve heard:

Feldmans Deli

The Millcreek deli should be the very top of your list. As well as their impeccable corned beef sandwiches the business also makes a mean corned beef and cabbage special for the big day. This year’s no different. Live music will being at 5.30 p.m. from the band Cronin’s Fancy.

Flanker

At the Gateway, Flanker Kitchen + Sporting Club’s official “after party” will star ” innovative takes on Irish classics like corned beef tacos and Guinness battered pretzels.” Live Irish music will also keep festivities moving.

Bewilder Brewing

“Join us for Saint Patrick’s Day 2023! If you have been to Bewilder for St. Patty’s in the past you know it’s a great time. We will have 3 new beers on tap (an Irish Stout, our fan favorite Irish Lager, and Leprechaun Tears green glitter beer) and we will have your favorite classic Irish food items. It’s going to be busy!”

Handlebar

Drink specials as well as corned beef and cabbage, rueben, luck of the Irish burger, Irish Nachos.

Localz Bistro

Corned beef, cabbage, and mashed potatoes special.

Lucky H Bar & Grill

The Little America hotel’s signature restaurant will be offering several specials including corned beef and cabbage, Irish stew, and shepherd’s pie. Lucky H write that “For those looking to treat themselves to a festive dessert, guests can enjoy the delectable Grasshopper Pie drizzled with chocolate sauce or a Leprechaun Chocolate Mouse.”

Nacho Daddy

Irish Nacho’s special, described as follows, “Our lucky potato chip nacho is piled high with house-made shredded corned beef and dripping with golden queso. Whether you’re celebrating St. Patrick’s Day or getting ready for March Madness, you don’t want to miss this featured nacho.”

Potbelly

Get your green on at this sandwich chain. The brand tell me that customers can add avocado to sandwiches for free all weekend for St. Patrick’s Day using the code “AVOCADO”. The deal is offered Friday March 17th – Sunday March 19th.

High West Whiskey Garden

The High West Whiskey Garden returns to Deer Valley’s Silver Lake Ski Beach with the vintage High West Airstream Bar, Offset Bier, Deer Valley’s open-pit fire cauldrons, food available for purchase, and live musical entertainment. Experience a lineup of High West whiskeys and an assortment of beers from Offset Bier. Featured cocktails from High West and promotional pieces from High West and Offset Bier will also be available. This is a 21+ event. March 16th – 19th, 11.00 a.m. – 4.00 p.m.)

Billy Blanco’s

Toast St. Patrick’s Day with a shot and beer special (shot of Jameson Irish Whiskey + 12oz bottle of Guinness Extra Stout, $10). Friday, March 17th.

Ritual Chocolate x High West Tasting

Sip and indulge in five decadent pairings of High West spirits and Ritual Chocolate’s craft chocolate creations enjoyable for both beginners and experienced whiskey and chocolate enthusiasts. The 21+ event is $60 per person. Friday, March 17th from 6.30 p.m.

Windy Ridge Café

Offering a corned beef and hash special, as well as a shot and beer special (shot of Jameson Irish Whiskey + 12oz bottle of Guinness Extra Stout, $10). Friday, March 17th.

Woodbine Food Hall & Tavern

Live music, Kiitos glitter green ale, corned beef sandwich special from Dead Pan.

Hoof & Vine

Waterbrook Winery will be the star for the next pairing dinner at this Midvale steakhouse. The restaurant will host two nights – March 27th and March 28th. Both evenings begin at 6.30 p.m. and are priced $75 per person ($55 without wine). Menu for both nights will be as follows:

• Spaghetti squash croquette, cranberry, stella bleu cheese cream, chili oil
  • sangiovese rosé
• Greens, poblano chili, cilantro, red wine vinaigrette, mango, manchego, toasted pepitas
  • pinot gris
• 5 hr slow braised beef short rib, blueberry gastrique, crispy fried walla walla sweets, shallot herb mash
  • Cabernet buñuelo
• Spiced vanilla ice cream, chocolate

Reservations should be made via OpenTable and a $20 per person prepayment is required; this will be subtracted from bill total at the end of the event for the amount of guests present. Prepayment is nonrefundable.

Deer Valley and Athletic Brewing

Lastly, if you want to see what all the fuss is about behind the ever growing non-alcoholic beer and wine movement – check this one out. Athletic Brewing Company will be up at Deer Valley Resort’s Snow Park Plaza on Sunday, March 5th, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. ready to answer all your questions. You can also find the brand locally in Harmons grocery stores, and I have to admit, I quite enjoy them.

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Stuart Melling

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.