This weekend was one of those times when spring was making its sunshine filled warmth really known and I am so excited for the upcoming summer of sunny days and warm nights – not to mention AMAZING events!  This past year, we were lucky to be able to participate in The Hope Gala which is a wonderful foundation that raises money for The American Cancer Society.  This event was specifically geared this year to promote and reveal the plans for the new Hope Lodge!  It was actually held at the future site of this new facility which will provide a “Home Away from Home” for cancer patients and their families – which is such a welcome service in our city.  For this event, we pulled out all the stops!  And because of the balmy temperatures, we treated the fundraiser’s guests with an “All Cold” menu from start to finish – keeping them delighting over the delicious dishes, while keeping them cool too!  Check it out!

What a beautiful site to host the new Hope Lodge in downtown Salt Lake City!

We love the simple elegance of the florals that adorn the tables.  Always chic and beautiful!

Guests were greeted with a virtual smorgasbord of hors d’oeuvres!  Nothing like variety to get the night started and the guest excited for what’s to come!

The guests started their dinner with this GORGEOUS salad and artisan breads.  SO YUMMY!

The dessert (my favorite part!) was this beauty!  A perfect cold treat to end a perfect night!

Thank you so much to the American Cancer Society for letting us to continue to be a part of The Hope Gala.  We so enjoy helping this worthwhile fundraiser and love the new and inventive menus we come up with every year!  Happy eating everyone!

Check out more on Salt Lake City, Park City, and Utah County catering on our website, www.culinarycrafts.com!

Photos by Kelli Bramble, A Pepper Nix Photographer

Oh my goodness we are SOOOOO excited!   Alta Moda bridal boutique will host their annual Sample Sale on Saturday, December 15, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m – and if you are looking for a dress, you CANNOT miss this event!  Remember – Its never to be early to think about finding the perfect dress – or about booking your wedding catering!  The task is easier than you may think with the top wedding vendors in the city : Culinary Crafts and Alta Moda.  Don’t miss the Alta Moda sample sale for some once in a life time dresses at unbelievable pricing!  Here are the deets from Alta Moda:

Brides-to-be are invited to line up early for a selection of more than 50 couture wedding dresses marked down 50 to 85 percent. Gowns start as low as $500, with many under $1000.

There will be dresses from all of your favorite designers; Jorge Manuel, Anne Barge, Augusta Jones, Modern Trousseau, Vera Wang, and more.

Things you’ll want to know:

    •    Sale hours are 10am – 2pm, December 15th only
    •    No appointments: First come, First served (wait list)
    •    Gowns are sold as is, alterations not included
    •    Only sample sale gowns will be on display
    •    No holds and all sales final – come ready to buy
    •    Most gowns are suited for street sizes 4-12
    •    We only do this once a year, so now is the time
    •    Space is limited; only one or two key decision makers/guests per bride

We love our gowns and treat them with the best of care, so you can be assured you are getting your dream dress at a coveted price.

This really is the sale to end all sales. At last year’s sample sale, the Alta Moda staff arrived an hour early to find there were already more than a dozen brides and their moms lined-up outside the doors. Brides show up early, and know exactly what they are going to find: a gorgeous dress at a steal of a price.

Come early, wear a warm coat, and bring hot cocoa or coffee to keep warm. Doors will open at exactly 10 a.m., and you’ll be welcomed into the shop to stay warm and cozy as you wait for your consultation. Once inside, your name will be put on a list in order of the line/arrival so you can find a seat and wait for your name to be called– no fuss, and no need to hold your place!

Consultations will be limited to 40 minutes. We’ll be running many more fitting rooms than usual to help get you in your dream dress as quickly as we can. And just because it’s a sample sale, it doesn’t mean you’re on your own. Each bride will get an experienced consultant from start to finish. Our consultants know all the gowns (by name, and inside and out), all the tricks, and how to make sure you are beyond thrilled. Only four gowns can be initially selected, but your consultant will guide you and make sure you try on the perfect styles until you find the one.

Come ready to buy the dress of your dreams!

Good luck and happy shopping, ladies!

Check out more on Salt Lake City, Utah County, and Park City catering on www.culinarycrafts.com!

We at Culinary Crafts were so thrilled to cater the KUER book party for the fantastic How to Eat Weekends by Lynne Rossetto Kasper and Sally Swift!  Lynne Rossetto Kasper (host of The Splendid Table) was in attendance and signing copies of this fabulous book as well as joined in a Q & A panel with esteemed local food critics, all making for a seriously stellar event.  Held on Cinco de Mayo, the Mexican Comida meal was created by Culinary Crafts with inspiration and recipes straight from the pages of How to Eat Weekends, of course!  We served Beehive Cheese Co.’s fresh cheeses with tomatillo salsa,  mango and jicama sticks with chile and lime (CAUTION!  These were HOT!), yucatan pork in banana leaves, black beans and rice, house made corn tortillas, and chile-spiked Mexican wedding cookies (these were the crowd favorite).  Take a look!

It was amazing to meet Lynne and be a part of this event!  This cookbook is a great addition to any home cook or foodie’s collection and we at Culinary Crafts were so honored to be able to work with Lynne and KUER to create these very special dishes for this AMAZING party!  Happy cooking everyone!

Check out our website at www.culinarycrafts.com!

Photos via KUER, taken by Louise K Pollard

So, back in March, I think we mentioned that we were at Catersource unveiling one of our newest concepts for action stations…  You can refresh your memory here.  And may I say, it’s pretty AMAZING!!!  Well, recently, we had an event where the Ring Of Fire was in full working order and I couldn’t wait to share it with you!  Check it out!

How cool does that look?  It makes for such a unique and eye catching display at any event!  This would be perfect for a sophisticated and/or reallycontemporary event and we hope to be using it more soon!

Also, don’t forget to enter the contest!!  Check out details here.

Check out our website for more ideas!  www.culinarycrafts.com

I have a truly spectacular venue to share with you today: Johnson Mill.  You may remember an event we showcased there that I posted about (you can refresh your memory here) but I thought we really didn’t do enough justice to its beauty and gorgeousness!

It is more than just a mere venue, however…  It is also a stunning bed and breakfast with all of the outdoor activities and romantic amenities you could ever imagine.  In fact, Redbook magazine voted Johnson Mill “One of America’s Four Most Romantic Inns”.  A very well-deserved nod to them in my opinion.

And, not only can you reserve the inn’s grounds for your event, you can actually reserve the grounds AND accommodations for your guests!  This place is seriously the best for destination weddings or for those or you who have out of town guests.

I am totally enthralled with the natural beauty, elegance, and stunning offerings that Johnson Mill provides.  We definitely hope to do more events there this year!  I hope this helps all of you out there still struggling to find a venue.  Not to mention, what a perfect place to spend a honeymoon!!!

Check out our website for more events and ideas, www.culinarycrafts.com!

Photo credits: Courtesy of Johnson Mill and last frame From Logan Walker of ZumaPhoto

Today, I have an event that is simply GORGEOUS.  It had a central peacock details that works, not only for this elegant holiday party, but could definitely translate to an awesome palette for a wedding!  It is rich, lush, and sumptuous with the gorgeous crepe fabrics and golds in the plates and drinkware.  Finish that off with beautiful red roses, purple currant berries, tulips, and peacock feathers as the floral arrangement and you are truly going to impress!  Let’s show off some of the pictures!

These invitations are to die for!  Ann Elizabeth is truly a master of design.  I love the art deco detailing!  It really takes it above and beyond the “peacock” theme.  (Stay tuned for a spotlight on Ann Elizabeth later on this week too!)

Rachel always makes sure the final details are taken care of and the event goes off without a hitch.  We love you Rachel!

Aren’t these arrangements amazing?!  Leave it to Orchid Dynasty to create such spectacular pieces!

I love the compliment of the reds and the turquoises on the tables.  Its truly a dynamic and visually arresting color combination.

The food, as always, is simply delectable and beautiful to boot!

The Hope Gallery is definitely a special and breathtaking venue for any event.  Plus, there is never a break in all the beauty around you!  Definitely a place that will keep you guests talking for years to come!

I hope this inspired you to take some risks with your colors.  I think the results could be stellar!

Check out more inspiring event on our website, www.culinarycrafts.com!

Photo Credit: Logan Walker, ZumaPhoto

Hi all!  I wanted to take this time to remind you all that the holidays are creeping in on us and its time to start planning your holiday parties!  We fill up fast every year, so remember we’d love to help you with your event, but you’ve got to start planning soon!  Whether its a traditional affair, something more theatrical, or and elegant fête, we’d definitely make yours the event of the season.  We hope to hear from you soon.

For more holiday inspiration, check out our website at www.culinarycrafts.com!

Photo credit: Logan Walker of ZumaPhoto

Today I’d like to showcase a truly epicurean event!  Not only was the food delicious, but it was a collection of a lot of different tastes, cuisines, and styles…  Added together making an overall masterpiece for the guests palate! Here are a few photos of some of the custom designed chef action stations and small plate hors d’oeuvres!

Guests were greeted by a waiter offering champagne with a raspberry gem.  How beautiful!

We prepared custom small plate hors d’oeuvres ranging from handmade empanadas to duck spring rolls.

Butler passed hors d’oeuvres included cold beet borscht with a Yogurt ice cube, coconut shrimp, crab and gruyere nachos, and sultana bruschetta.  Not only were they gorgeous, they were delicious!

Look at these scrumptious soft shell steak tacos with tomatillo sauce, fresh cilantro, and crème fraiche, served with cumin-scented black bean salad!  Yum!

My favorite action station: Premium Kobe beef sliders topped with bacon, caramelized onion, shitake ketchup and a fried quail egg and sweet potato fries with chipotle aioli on the side!

The sticks and skewers station offered a little bit of everything including lemon and saffron chicken brochettes, sesame soy glazed beef skewers, grapefruit scallop ceviche skewer, and lemon chili shrimp sticks paired with sesame soba noodles in an Asian to go.

What a spectacular plate! Carved gaucho bison tenderloin with chimichurri sauce served with a grilled pita and three tomato salad with goat cheese and croutons.

Lastly, ther halibut parcels with cilantro and coconut chutney saffron rice served with cucumber raita and naan.

What a wonderful display of  eclectic flavors and foods!  I hope this got your imagination reeling with all the possibilities you could try too!

Check out more menu ideas at www.culinarycrafts.com!

Photo Credit: Logan Walker of ZumaPhoto

We here at Culinary Crafts are always looking for new and outstanding places to include on our venue list and today I’d like to showcase our newest addition:  Blue Sky Ranch!  Kaleb, Mary, Rachel, and Ryan took a trip up there and here’s what Rachel had to say:

“We had the opportunity to visit a brand new venue just recently.  Blue Sky Ranch features a hilltop yurt, a pond, horseback riding and hiking trails, a horse arena, and a cabin bar on top of a mountain!  Not only is it perfect for company retreats and team building exercises, the arena can seat up to 400 guests to accommodate a wedding or a holiday dinner.  Check out these photos from our visit.  We love Blue Sky and cannot wait to begin hosting events there…”

Here are some photos:

Ryan, Mary, Rachel, and Kaleb standing in front the rowing pond, just beyond the Yurt.  So picturesque!

Gorgeous scenery and the Yurt.  The Yurt can host up to 30 guests for a company meeting or intimate dinner.  How fun!

What a unique place!  This is the mountain top bar, all within this rustic cabin.

Aren’t the horses beautiful?  Horseback trail rides are available!

This is the view from the mountain top bar area.  I wouldn’t mind hanging out there all day!  Lucky Mary!

This is the horse arena…  Its still in it’s construction phase, but what a fantastic place for large events!  We can’t wait to start hosting events here…

Simply GORGEOUS!  What an amazing and incredible venue and we are so proud to partner with them!

For more stellar venues like this one, visit our website at www.culinarycrafts.com!