A “uniquely Utah wedding menu?” What the “heck” does that even mean? Fry sauce? Funeral potatoes? Carrot Jell-O?
Think again.
Utah is experiencing a culinary renaissance. From world-class chocolatiers to renowned artisanal cheesemakers, this state has developed a food landscape that’s as unique and diverse as its famous parks and recreational areas. Your Utah wedding is a chance to show out-of-state guests that this is the place…for fantastic food. Here’s how.
Snacks and Sips
As your guests arrive, you’ll want to make sure they have some nibbles and drinks to enjoy before dinner begins. A charcuterie featuring Utah fruits, meats, and cheeses is a fantastic option. Utah boasts several cheese-makers that rival the best fromagers anywhere. To find some you love, sample a variety from Rockhill Creamery, Heber Valley Cheese, Beehive Cheese, and Culinary Crafts’ own exclusive flavors. Make sure you taste Honey Lavender Cheddar (made by Heber Valley) as well as Aggiano, Barely Buzzed, and 2021 winner Red Butte Hatch Chili (all made by Beehive).
If you’re also going to offer alcohol, why not give your guests a taste of something unique and local? You may want to work with your planner or caterer to customize your own signature cocktail utilizing Utah’s finest spirits like Beehive Distilling’s Jack Rabbit Gin, High West or Black Feather Whiskey, or Distillery 36’s internationally acclaimed “Brigham Rum.” It’s also a good idea to have an assortment of local beers on hand from Epic, Uintah, or Squatters .
Interesting fact: The name “Brigham Rum” is a nod to Mormon leader Brigham Young who commissioned Utah’s first alcohol distillery in the 1860s and controlled the production and distribution of “spirituous liquors” in the state. After Prohibition, production of any kind of alcohol was illegal in Utah until 2006 when High West Distillery opened in Park City. Since then, Utah alcohol production has been lit.
For the non-drinkers on your guest list, you can offer a fun soda bar, boba teas, or “mocktail” versions of your signature drink.
Greens
Utah is an agricultural state, and one way we really shine is with our year-round production of local greens. Start dinner with a selection from Utah’s excellent traditional or hydroponic producers including Bangerter Farms, Snuck Farm, or Brickhouse Growers.
Main Course
Entrées offer lots of enticing ways to feature locally sourced foods, but a perennial Western favorite is fresh trout. If fish isn’t your thing, Morgan Valley lamb and Moroni turkey are two more great Utah options. Red Bird chicken and Snake River beef and are also very popular in Utah. In fact, Red Bird’s American Wagyu beef was recently featured in an event that Culinary Crafts co-catered with renowned chef Wolfgang Puck. Chef Puck placed the local beef side by side with a Japanese Wagyu cut, making an incredibly delicious contrast.
Of course you can always go a little “wild” by choosing local buffalo, deer, or elk. But remember that your entrée ought to appeal to everyone, so it’s best to stick with the tried and true.
Dessert
Utah loves its sweets! So it’s no surprise that a booming dessert industry has grown up right here in the Beehive State, or that Utah is being called the “country’s epicenter of chocolate innovation.” Local chocolatiers like Amano, Solstice, and Ritual are winning international awards with their outstanding, innovative creations. Use their chocolates in any number of decadent desserts or serve them straight, paired with dessert cheeses and quality coffee from local roasters. Either way, it will be the perfect complement to a uniquely Utah wedding feast that’s sure to leave a lasting impression.