Mary Crafts, CEO and President
When Mary started Culinary Crafts in 1984, her sights were set on
always being her very best. Twenty-six years later, she's catering events
for Oprah Winfrey during the Sundance Film Festival, her company is the largest
off-premise caterer in Utah, and she is known as Utah's Martha Stewart! The success of Culinary Crafts has lead to local and national
recognition for Mary both as a businesswoman and a caterer. Mary received the
Excellence in Leadership award from the Woodbury School of Business, she’s been
named one of Utah’s 30 Women to Watch, and was twice named “Outstanding
Business Woman of the Year”. Her events and catering tips are regularly
featured in national media such as Martha Stewart’s Wedding website, “The Knot”
wedding blog, Colin Cowie’s television show “Get Married”, and Catering
Magazine. Locally Mary has become a familiar face on “Good Things Utah”, “Good
Morning Utah” and on KBYU public television, where Mary’s popular cooking show
“Culinary Creations” is still being aired. Mary writes a monthly restaurant
review for Utah Valley Magazine and her wedding and catering tips are often
featured in Utah Bride and Groom, Utah Valley Bride and Latter Day Bride
magazines. Mary is honored to serve on the Salt Lake Visitors and Convention
Bureau Board of Trustees, The Board of Directors of the Utah Valley Chamber of
Commerce and as an Honorary Director of the International Caterers Association. Mary’s gift for sharing has also put her in the spotlight as a
keynote speaker and presenter. She frequently presents educational seminars for
the International Caterers Association, and is asked by dozens of business and
educational organizations every year to be a keynote speaker for classes,
meetings and conferences. Mary is also a champion for Utah. She never misses an
opportunity to promote local food purveyors and to highlight Utah as a
destination for national and international conventions. Mary also volunteers for several non-profit service organizations.
She's a passionate supporter of the United Way, and was featured on their
national television and radio commercials, and served as the President of Women
In Philanthropy for two years. Mary is also a volunteer for the Welcome Baby
Program, and is a mentor for business students at the Utah Valley University.
Mary gives thanks every day for the blessings of her family and friends and for
the opportunity to share with others her hard won life lessons and success.
Ryan Crafts, Director of Catering and Operations
Because he started sooo young, Ryan has worked in just about every capacity at Culinary Crafts. From dishwasher to event manager to pay roll secretary to senior grill master to fleet manager (meaning he made sure the 12 catering vehicles were in tip top mechanical shape at all times), Ryan really has done it all. So, of course he couldn’t help becoming a certified gourmet foodie along the way. Ryan never tires of the creative challenges involved in orchestrating large events, and he truly loves sharing his passion for food with Culinary Crafts' clients and staff. It just never gets boring for him!
Currently Ryan is the Director of Catering and supervises the on site execution of Culinary Crafts’ events. From setting a dining room for an eight-course meal to perfectly searing the sea bass, Ryan oversees all the details required to maintain Culinary Crafts’ high standard of excellence. He ensures that the grand vision designed by the event planners and the client becomes a reality.
Kaleb Crafts, Director of Operations and Corporate Sales
Catering is in his blood
it seems. Kaleb’s parents started Culinary Crafts the year he was born. One of
his parent’s first great advertising ideas is also a fond childhood memory for
Kaleb. When he was three, his brother Ryan and he would pull their Radio Flyer
wagon, full of Culinary Craft’s now famous Sourdough Bread, around the
neighborhoods of Provo. Who could say no to these two adorable salesmen?
At five, Kaleb would race to put away dishes as fast as my mom could wash them. Then at twelve he worked as the dishwasher during summers. During his teenage years Kaleb worked with his dad in the bakery department. He worked there five summers, and on Saturday mornings during his high school years. Following his LDS mission he took on the responsibilities of catering event manager. After 4 years of managing events, Kaleb moved into his current position of Corporate Sales and Planning and Operations Coordinator. Having seen the business from all angles, Kaleb can speak with authority on almost every topic a client or employee may ask about!
Marco Niccoli, Executive Chef
Marco interned under our
executive chef for 5 years, honing his natural gifts for handling the
complexities of professional catering. He did so well that when he completed
his apprenticeship we invited him to accept the executive chef position.
Marco loves the challenges
and excels at the creative projects that are part of the daily routine of a
professional chef. He does a spectacular job overseeing food preparation for
the 500+ events Culinary Crafts does every year.
