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Favorite Find Friday

March 29, 2019

The Top 15 places to eat lunch in Utah County

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Culinary Crafts headquarters is located in Pleasant Grove, so we are always looking for great places for lunch in Utah County. We polled Ryan, Kaleb, and our chefs to come up with this list of our 15 favorite lunch spots.
  • Pizzeria 712 - 320 State St #185, Orem, UT - This has been a Crafts family favorite since it opened. 712's approach shares many of our own philosophies and values regarding food - simple yet creative, ingredient driven, and house-made. Always delicious!
  • Asahi - 1470 N State St, Orem, UT - Great sushi at a great price. Conveniently located. We go here a lot!Image result for asahi orem
  • Tsunami Restaurant & Sushi Bar - 1616 W Traverse Parkway, Lehi, UT - Not only is the sushi fabulous, there are lots of delicious options to satisfy even the sushi averse, including an impressive sake list.Image result for tsunami sushi
  • Oteo - 139 S State St, Lindon, UT - Tacos, sopes, and empanadas after our own hearts! Innovative and trendy, yet still simple and without fuss. Don't miss the avocado tacos.
  • Black Sheep Cafe - 19 N University Ave, Provo, UT - Southwestern Native American cooking with full bar selections. Upscale and full service, but still casual. Ryan recommends the hog jowl tacos!Image result for black sheep provo
  • Cravings Bistro - 25 W Center St, Pleasant Grove, UT - A modern take on classic comfort dishes (grilled cheese and soup). It's impossible to pick the wrong sandwich, but if you're undecided opt for the ABC (apples, bacon, and cheddar). And it's just a few blocks away from our own office!Image result for cravings bistro
  • The Foundry Grill - 8841 N Alpine Loop Rd, Sundance, UT - Ryan spends a lot of time skiing the slopes at Sundance, and drops in here often for an elegant dinner of modern American cuisine. The Tree Room, and Owl Bar are excellent too!Image result for foundry grill
  • Peace On Earth - 35 N 300 W #200, Provo, UT - Let's be honest, it's not easy to find a great cup of Joe of Utah County. We're so happy to see more places like this coming to town. Great sandwiches and beautiful digs as well!DSC08314.jpeg
  • Taqueria 27 - 1688 W Traverse Pkwy, Lehi, UT - Great food at great prices. Fun for groups. Also featuring an array of specials updated daily.Image result for taqueria 27
  • 180 Tacos - 3368 N University Ave, Provo, UT - Too many taco places you say? There's no such thing! Great to dine in or take. The daily specials are always fun!Image result for 180 tacos
  • Bam Bams BBQ - 1708 State St, Orem, UT - Delicious Texas-style BBQ. And just like in Texas, the best thing is the brisket! Image result for bam bam's restaurant
  • Yamato - 1074 State St, Orem, UT - As much as we like to see new comers in our local restaurant scene, we're also ecstatic that places like Yamato stand the test of time. Excellent sushi as well as other classic Japanese dishes.Related image
  • CHOM Burger - 45 300 N, Provo, UT - Just because you've ditched fast food for good, doesn't mean you can't find a tasty burger out there. We love CHOM. And the milkshakes are killer too (especially the rotating seasonal selection)!
  • Sidecar Cafe - 1715 W 500 S, Springville, UT - In addition to the great breakfast and lunch menus, you can check out the Legend's Motorcycle Museum while you're there.
  • Straptank - 1750 West 596 South, Springville, UT - Across the parking lot from Sidecar, this brewery (yep, you read that right) features pub grub to satisfy all comers.
 

December 5, 2018

Badass Boards: Kaleb’s end grain cutting board

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An end grain cutting board is the Cadillac of cutting boards. Both functionally and aesthetically, they are tough to beat. Let's talk a little bit about why an end grain board is so special. Think of your cutting board like a paint brush with the wood grain being the bristles of the brush. Lay that paint brush horizontally, and you have a long grain cutting board. Your knife is going to rest on top of the bristles. Functional, but quite hard on your knife. Additionally, these are not quite as durable as an end grain board as scratches will add up over time and pieces of wood fiber can even eventually be dislodged.Image result for end grain vs edge grain Now take the paint brush and hold it vertically and you have an end grain cutting board. Your knife can slide easily into the bristles. In fact the bristles actually make a cushion for your knife. And after each cut the bristles or wood fibers can spring back into position. Scratches are less likely and less visible and the board itself much more durable.Image result for end grain vs edge grain So, if an end grain board is so much better, why don't we see them everywhere? The biggest reason is simply due to the additional work that is involved in making an end grain cutting board, which then makes them quite a bit more expensive. For a long grain board, you can simply glue strips of wood together and voila! Image result for edge grain However, to expose the end grain, you have to then take the completed board and cut it into strips, flip them on end and glue the whole thing back together before sanding for hours and hours to achieve a flat smooth board. So, if an end grain board is definitely the way to go...are all end grain boards created equal? Certainly not. The biggest thing to look for in selecting your new board is the type of wood. We don't want a soft wood or a wood that has an open or loose grain structure. We also don't want an overly oily wood. We are after a nice hardwood with a dense, closed grain pattern. But some woods have a VERY dense grain structure. So much so that even the end grain is still quite hard on your knives. Imagine our paint brush standing on end but being squeezed so tightly the knife still can't be cushioned because the bristles are so tight. Pine and cedar are cheap and easy to work with, but just too soft and open grained. Teak, ebony, bubinga, acacia, hickory and others will make a stunningly beautiful board, however they are just too densely grained. Cocobolo, goncalo alves, purpleheart and other tropical hardwoods are some of favorite woods for certain projects, but just too oily for a cutting board. My top choice for an end grain board is hard maple, often referred to as rock maple. This is the perfect balance of dense grain, that is hard and durable and actually still quite affordable. Now, some of the most beautiful boards out there combine different lumbers to create spectacular contrasting patterns, so a great choice for secondary woods could be walnut, oak, cherry, or others. I decided to make these for my holiday gifts. They were a lot of work but totally worth it! Check out what I have been up to all year!  
Tips for care of your end grain board
  • Utah air is awfully dry and cause wood boards to split and crack. Conditioning the wood will prevent cracking and keep it looking beautiful. A good rule of thumb for treating a new board is to oil once a day for a week, once a week for a month, once a month for a year, and once a year for life. You should also treat wood after washing with heavy soap or anytime the wood looks dry.
  • There are various conditioning oils, creams, waxes and blends available specifically for wood boards. However, the simplest solution is as good as any: mineral oil. Avoid vegetable oils and any others that aren't perpetually stables since they will eventually go rancid and make your board stink.
  • Keep your cutting board on the counter top where it can breath. Avoid storage in places where airflow is stifled and where moisture can get trapped.
  • Always wash your board by hand with soft materials. Only use soap when necessary. Never wash in the dishwasher, and never leave the board to to soak submerged.
Update: You can now purchase one of these amazing boards here!

February 24, 2016

Utah Bride Blog’s 2016 Spring Editorial Feature

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Culinary Crafts absolutely LOVES editorials.  They really let us showcase upcoming trend and flex our creative muscles - and when we team up with AMAZING vendors who are also trying to go all out, well, it is just MAGIC.  This editorial we did for Utah Bride Blog is no exception.  It is all around magic!!!  We were so happy with how beautiful it turned out and wanted to share it with all of you!  First up, we are going to whet your appetite with this beautiful video from Red Tie Cinema (seriously, so pretty!!!)  Then stay tuned for us to share the delectable edibles we created for the shoot!  Here's the re-post from Utah Bride Blog! "Good morning February! We are going to warm your hearts up all week with a dive into our most current mag issue’s editorial feature! Abound with spring inspiration this one is a real beauty and like with most of our editorials we have been waiting with anticipation to share! We are kicking off the week with a look at the film, courtesy of Red Tie Cinema. The perfect artistic sampling of what you will get to see over the next week created by one of the very best wedding film producers in the state! Dustin joined a top notch team for this one and we are so glad he did!
 Stay tuned for more pretty coming up!  We LOVE this shoot and we just know you will too!  Happy dreaming, everyone!
Check out more Salt Lake City, Park City, and Utah County catering at www.culinarycrafts.com!

May 9, 2014

Mother’s Day Gift Guide

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Mother’s Day is this weekend and I've rounded up a bunch of gift ideas from some of the outstanding local companies we have right here in Utah! We are so lucky to have so many excellent local resources at our disposal and wouldn’t your Mother (or you) love something made here in our community?  I know I would!  Check it out! MothersDay For the Foodie Mom: Here in Utah, we have so many yummy local food stops that you could find any mom with a passion for food something that will really knock her socks off! Our suggestions pictured above, Beehive Cheese Company's Variety of Cheeses, Ruby Snap's Darby Cookies, The Chocolate Conspiracy‘s Boxed Confections, and The Chocolate‘s Strawberry Shortcakes. MothersDay4 For the Pampered Mom: Let’s face it. Being a mom is a lot of work sometimes, plus some mom's just love being pampered. How about giving your mom a salon or spa service?  Or taking her our to a fine meal? Our suggestions pictured above, Versa Artistry's Hair & Makeup Services, The Kura Door's Spa Services, The Nail Room's Nail Services, and From Scratch's Fabulous Food. MothersDay2 For the Garden Lovin' Mom: Is your mom a plant guru? Does her garden beautify the entire block? Or does she just love cultivating or appreciating the nature around her? Well then you should definitely check out getting her a gift of growing things! Our suggestions pictured above, Orchid Dynasty's Floral Arrangement, La Nay Ferme's Farm Share Boxes, and Sun River Farms's Garden and Gifts. MothersDay3

For the Fashionista Mom: Does your mom love to shop?  Is she always on trend?  Or does she just love home decor or adding a pop of jewelry to her life?  Well, lucky for you, Utah is host to MANY awesome shops! Our suggestions pictured above,  Koo De Ker's Eyelet Maxi Dress and also their Statement Necklace, Maison Confiserie et Boutique's Gold Bangles,  Ella Bella Boutique's Chevron Dress, and The Green Ant's Mid Century Modern Furniture.

Happy Mother's Day, everyone!

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

April 5, 2013

2013 Wedding Trend: Popcorn Bars & S’mores Stations | Favorite Finds Friday

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Reposted from Bride Access's You May Kiss the Blog 2013 Wedding Trend: Gone are the days when over the top candy stations were all the rage.  Nowadays, we at Culinary Craftsare seeing Gourmet Popcorn Bars and Make-Your-Own S'mores stations pop up all over the place - and we couldn't be happier!  Culinary Crafts has been perfecting our S'mores and Popcorn offerings over the past years - just in time for this trend that is sweeping our events this year! Culinary Crafts, wedding catering | BrideAccess  Culinary Crafts, wedding catering | BrideAccess Popcorn has often been seen as just a toss away snack food at baseball games and movies, but now with the gourmet flavors we are experimenting with, this makes for a welcome (and fun!) addition to any wedding or event- A Popcorn Bar!  People just can't help smiling while noshing on our Bacon Bourbon Popcorn, Salted Caramel, or Tutti Frutti flavors. Culinary Crafts, wedding catering | BrideAccess culinary crafts, wedding catering | BirdeAccess Culinary Crafts, wedding catering | BrideAccess  Culinary Crafts, wedding catering | BrideAccess  culinary crafts, wedding catering | BirdeAccess The same is true of S'mores!  These treats create a nostalgic feeling for your guests and get them interacting with each other - truly the best way to have a memorable event that they will remember for years!  Couple that with our decadent house-made marshmallows (also made with gourmet flavors if you so choose) and you have a truly fantastic sweet that any guest will love- a S'mores Station! Culinary Crafts, wedding catering | BrideAccess                                              Culinary Crafts, wedding catering | BrideAccess If you are looking to include something a little different and perfectly tailored to your event, we at Culinary Crafts definitely suggest adding a Popcorn Bar or Make-Your-Own S'mores Station! For more on Park City, Utah County, or Salt Lake City catering, check out our website at www.culinarycrafts.com! Photos by Logan Walker & Pepper Nix of Pepper Nix Photography

March 8, 2013

Culinary Crafts on Small Fry Blog! | Favorite Finds Friday

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This gorgeous photography by Alyssa Vincent Photography via Small Fry Hello all!  We are pleased as punch to share this "Little Foodies" feature that Small Fry blog posted this past week!  Our chef, Marco Niccoli, led these Little Foodies on a culinary adventure to make some pretty awesome (and delicious) wood fired pizzas - complete with instruction on hand tossing the pizza crust, adding any toppings you could imagine, and baking it.  These kids were seriously gifted and created some good-lookin' pizza.  Yum!  Also make sure to check out Small Fry.  I love their style, attention to detail, and super creative ideas!  Happy Friday everyone! To find more awesome catering and food ideas, check out our website at www.culinarycrafts.com!

February 8, 2013

Elegant Emerald | Favorite Finds Friday

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Every year we anxiously await Pantone's release of the Color of the Year, and recently, the announcement we were all waiting for was released!  So as we bid adieu to last year's winner, Honeysuckle, we welcome the bold and beautiful Emerald to the stage!  I love this color and its ability to be at home in a wide variety of styles.  It also can pair well with TONS of colors.  Maybe white, gold, and emerald for a winter wedding?  Emerald and pale grey or emerald and pink for spring?  Emerald and orange accent for a vibrant and bold summer wedding?  Yes, yes, and yes!  Today, I created an inspiration board that was really just all about letting Emerald sing.  Balanced with simple white and accent with hints of black or aqua, this elegant and refined palette is perfect for an understated and classic celebration.  Just so PRETTY!  I just can't wait to see emerald in this year's upcoming weddings!  Happy weekend everyone! Check out more Salt Lake City, Utah County, and Park City catering at www.culinarycrafts.com! Row 1: Tablescape via Weddingomania;Bouquet via OneWed; Fries with Rosemary Sprigs via Culinary Crafts | Row 2: Outdoor Reception via {Frolic!} | Row 3: Basil Crusted Scallop via Culinary Crafts; Green Wedding Dress via 100 Layer Cake; Chevron Wedding Cake via Once Wed | Row 4: Invitation Suite via Oh So Beautiful Paper

January 18, 2013

Sundance 2013 | Favorite Finds Friday

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It's here!!!  The 2013 Sundance Film Festival started yesterday and we are SO excited!  We have even more amazing events that we are involved in this year and we can't wait to rub shoulders with the best of the best!  The festival goes through the 27th, so make sure you catch one of the many AWESOME films that are available!  Happy movie-going everyone! Check out more Park City, Salt Lake City, and Utah County catering on www.culinarycrafts.com!

January 4, 2013

DIY Or Not To DIY | Favorite Finds Friday

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December 21, 2012

Cookie Recipes Revisited | Favorite Finds Friday

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Hello all!  Coming down off of the AWESOME Confection Connection Cookie Exchange we participated in this past week, I thought it would be fun to share some of our "Oldies, but Goodies" for any last minute treats you may be thinking of making.  These recipes are tried and true, from our family to yours and we hope they become a part of you family tradition as well!  Take a look! Mary Crafts's family recipe!  You can find her making these with her grandchildren every Christmas! A family favorite passed down from generation to generation.  It has been in my family for well over 50 years! Mary's FAMOUS (and did I mention delicious?) Homemade Fudge recipe.  Simply to-die-for and a perfect gift for any one with a bit of a sweet tooth! Jocelyn's Sugar Cookie Bars are her signature recipe and simply divine.  Definitely a favorite around our kitchens! I hope this inspires you to show the people you love how much you care by treating them with some home made gifts!  Remember, gifts from the heart are always the best!   Also, the blog will be taking a break for the Christmas holiday so we at Culinary Crafts can spend time with our families and celebrate.  We hope you do the same and we'll be back after Christmas! Check out more Salt Lake, Park City, and Utah County Catering on www.culinarycrafts.com!

27x winner Utah’s Best of State

24x Best of State Caterer

3x Best of the Best / Hospitality

1x Entrepreneur of the Year