One of my favorite things for weddings this year is the use of chandeliers!  We here at Culinary Crafts LOVE they way they transform something “run of the mill” to pure elegance and refinement!  A perfect example is this gorgeous wedding we showed you this summer!  Take a look!

What an impact framing makes!  The use of the structure to hang draperies really helps to frame the table beautifully and take the table up a notch.  Add the chandeliers to that and this table is over the top!  I also love that this works for both indoor and outdoor events!

Another thing that sets off this cake table (or any table, for that matter) is the use of fantastic details.  From the beautifully designed cake flavor cards that are accented with a vintage brooch, to the sweet ruffles with a strawberry on top, to the macaroon trees perfectly matching the bride’s color palette, and all the little touches in between!  This simple, yet impactful, attention to detail elevates this cake table from ordinary to extraordinary!  Your guests will be delighted at all of the offerings and eye candy to enjoy!

Lastly, look at these chandeliers!  I love how something as simple and affordable as a dessert display can be transformed to something… magical!  Chandeliers add beauty and an unexpected touch – especially outdoors.  It really does set the table off in a totally unexpected way!  Happy planning everyone!

Check out our NEW website at www.culinarycrafts.com!

Photographs courtesy of ZumaPhoto

As you may have guessed, we here at Culinary Crafts LOVE weddings.  We love all the traditions a wedding celebrates and the beauty of joining two people very much in love.  One of our favorite things at a wedding (besides the food!) is the 1st dance!  This dance is even more amazing if the couple have taken dance lessons – and luckily, we have an AWESOME studio right here in the heart of Salt Lake City!  Utah Ballroom Dance (which is part of the DF Dance Studio Network) has received Best of State awards for being THE BEST dance instruction studio in Utah, so you know you are in good hands!  Even better, they have a special Wedding Program with private lessons and they’ll even help you choose a song and choreograph a dance that is personalized for you!  The 1st dance is a special time for a new couple, but it is also a time when all eyes are on you – so getting dance lessons definitely help you to feel comfortable in the spotlight and have fun too!  Happy weekend everyone!

Check out our NEW website at www.culinarycrafts.com!

Photos used courtesy of Pepper Nix Photography

One of the most delicious and awesome stations that Culinary Crafts offers is the Grilled Ciabatta Station!  This station (pictured above from Mary Crafts-Homer’s wedding reception) is always a hit and provides guests with a myriad of choices to pair with these delicious breads.  From silky goat cheese, to savory sun dried tomato chutney, to sweet balsamic fig chutney, and a selection of  gourmet Beehive Cheeses, you have a mouth-watering array of delightful choices for your guests to nosh on!  Not to mention, we grill our homemade ciabatta bread on site, over mesquite wood chips for optimum flavor and smell!  Yum!  This is also an option that pairs well with nearly ANY menu (and the pairings can be changed to suit your tastes).  Plus, its a relatively inexpensive way to add something extra to your wedding or event food offerings!  It is seriously one of my favorite stations and I think a great option to please the palette of many people!  Happy planning everyone!

Check out our NEW website at www.culinarycrafts.com!

Photos courtesy of Pepper Nix Photography and Logan Walker with ZumaPhoto

Starting at top left and moving clockwise: Poptone Naturals board via Culinary Crafts, Lilac Love inspiration board via Green Wedding Shoes, and Color Me Happy board from 100 Layer Cake

Today, I’d like to share one of the most important tools that any bride can have while planning her wedding: an inspiration board!  Inspiration boards allow you to create a color palette, choose a style, and put it all together so you get a sense of what your perfect day will look like (and if its what you have been dreaming of).  Then, you will have a way to show your wedding planner, florist, or caterer what you are wanting!  Having photographs and a visual board will help everyone get on board with your vision!  How awesome is that?  Plus, in today’s modern world, the tools available to create inspiration boards have never been easier to find and use.  From Style Me Pretty’s free account that lets you create boards from the thousands of images in their database to Pinterest that allows you to pin everything you’ve ever looked at on the web and piece your perfect board together – it seriously is AMAZINGLY easy (not to mention FUN) to put together all sorts of possibilities!  We at Culinary Crafts LOVE when a bride comes in with an inspiration board, because we definitely get a sense of her taste, style, and what she’s hoping for at her wedding and then we can hit the ground running with ideas to help create her dream day.  So, if you are a bride, definitely check out Style Me Pretty or Pinterest (or make your own!) and have fun!!!  Happy planning!

Check out our NEW website at www.culinarycrafts.com!

Photos from sundance.org

Today, we would like to give a shout out to a little film festival you may have heard of – The Sundance Film Festival!  Every year this festival brings new films, amazing actors, and fantastic parties!!!  We at Culinary Crafts have the honor of catering some of these parties every year and we are SO excited to do it again this year!  We love being a part of Sundance and mingling with all of the wonderful people that attend every year.  We hope you get out and attend some of the stupendous films!  Happy festival-ing everyone!

Check out our NEW website at www.culinarycrafts.com!

Wow!  We are such lucky ducks!  We have 3 AMAZING magazines to ogle over and all of them are out this month!  We are so proud to announce that Utah Valley Magazine is out and our very own Mary Crafts-Homer’s rehearsal dinner is featured!!! We are so thrilled to be a part of this beautiful and stunning magazine that is brimming over with eye candy and tips for every bride!  If you are planning your wedding in Utah County, this is a must have.  Even if you aren’t, any bride will want to check out the stellar inspiration inside this magazine!  Pick up your copy today!  Happy planning!

Check out our NEW website at www.culinarycrafts.com!

Clockwise from the top left:  Almond Cranberry Quinoa Cookies from Bon Appetit, Pumpkin Quinoa Breakfast from MakeandTakes.com,  Quinoa Pilaf from Weis Markets, Quinoa Salad from Food & Style

Its January, and while that means we are freezing with the chilly weather (but still hoping for snow), it also means many of us have made a resolution to eat better and lose weight.  Sometimes that can be hard because people slip into a rut of eating the same old thing day after day to ensure they stick to a healthy diet.  It doesn’t have to be that way though!  Adding Quinoa (pronounced KEEN-wah) is definitely something to consider to mix it up!  It resembles couscous and is packed with nutrition and is high in protein – plus this little grain is so easy to use in EVERY meal.  Breakfast, lunch, dinner, even dessert – quinoa recipes are vast and DELICIOUS.  Mary Crafts, who is also a big fan of Quinoa, shared her super simple, and super healthful preparation of Quinoa.

“Cook the Quinoa and dress lightly with EVO, a splash of balsamic vinegar, and salt & pepper to taste.  Chill.  Add scallions and sun roasted peppers and voila!  You have a super healthy side dish full of fiber, protein, and nutrients!”

We at Culinary Crafts LOVE Quinoa and it is definitely a favorite on our menus.  One of Mary’s particular favorites on our menus is a warm Quinoa salad with arugula and sun roasted tomatoes.  YUM!!!  Happy cooking!

Check out our NEW website at www.culinarycrafts.com!

Today I’d like to share with you one of our favorite weddings of 2011!!!  Held at the UMFA, we were bowled over by this bride’s dramatic and GORGEOUS ceremony.  Classic black and white with bold punches of red gave this event an air of sophistication, drama, and elegance.  And, of course, Culinary Crafts made sure to keep that feeling alive with DELICIOUS food!!!  From butler-passed hors d’oeuvres to a four course plated dinner service, each guest was sure to be dazzled!  Take a look!

I love, love, LOVE this wedding!  The UMFA was the perfect backdrop and the reception design (courtesy of LMG Events) was immaculate!  It was gorgeous and we congratulate the stunning couple and wish them many years of happiness and love!  Happy planning!

Check out our NEW website at www.culinarycrafts.com!

Photos courtesy of Jessica Kettle Photography and Logan Walker with ZumaPhoto

Dessert trends come and go.  You’ve seen them.  Chocolate fountains, cupcakes, whoopie pies, and even traditional tiered cakes with traditional piping embellishments – all have come and gone.  With sad goodbyes we bid adieu to our favorite wedding treats, but we also welcome the new decadent delight with open arms!  And I am here to tell you, Cake Bites are it.  Now, I must admit, I have had a “cake bite” here and there before.  Every time I had one, it was a dry, overly sweet confection that no one at the reception would finish.  It was like a war zone with the half eaten pops lying on plates that had been forgotten.  This is not the Cake Bite I speak of.  The movement to a gourmet and flavorful Cake Bite has begun – full of moist cake, flavorful frosting, and rich chocolate.  And let me tell you, Culinary Crafts is knocking this treat out of the park (of course!)   Take a look at our flavors!

We can customize every cake bite to your favorite flavor and also decorate them to match your perfect wedding color palette.  Even the tag (shown above on the left) can be customized with your monogram, custom logo, or a message to your guests!  What a perfect way to add a nod of traditional cake, with a fun and modern twist!  The possibilities are endless!  Happy planning!

Check out our NEW website at www.culinarycrafts.com!

Photo credits for top photo board starting from left: CC Cake Bite from CAKE photography, chocolate almond cake bites from Marielle Hayes, cake bite assortment from Style Me Pretty, chocolate coconut cake from BabyCakes, bride and groom cake bites via Etsy

We are so excited to announce that Salt Lake/Park City Bride and Groom is now on newsstands!!!  This GORGEOUS magazine features some of the prettiest weddings and ideas we’ve seen – including a feature on Mary Crafts-Homer’s wedding ceremony!  We are so thrilled at the way it looks in print and know you will love it too (not to mention, the whole magazine it full of delightful eye candy you are definitely going to want to check out!)  For anyone planning a wedding in Utah, you’ll definitely want to pick up Salt Lake Bride and Groom Magazine!  Enjoy and happy planning!

Check out our NEW website at www.culinarycrafts.com!