Experience Utah

We were doing it all wrong.

In 1998, as the Olympics were coming to Utah for the first time, Culinary Crafts landed contracts for several high-profile events like the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, the IOC, Sports Illustrated, and more. When we did a tasting for the IOC, we were excited to prove ourselves, so we gave our all and crafted a diverse menu that showcased cuisines from all over the globe. We watched in nervous anticipation as they tasted our food. Our hearts rose when, at the end of the tasting, the IOC President declared, “This is the best catered food we’ve ever been served--" but then fell when he added, "but you’re doing it all wrong.”


We didn’t know whether to feel flattered or flattened until he explained, “You’ve fed us Greek, French, Japanese, Italian…but we’ve had those before. We’re here to experience Utah. Serve us Utah cuisine.”


Panic struck as we wondered, “What on earth is Utah cuisine?” Fry sauce? Green Jell-O? But then, it dawned on us that we'd been handed a chance to redefine Utah’s culinary identity!

Creating “Utah cuisine”

We traveled across Utah, meeting food producers and vendors. “We need to elevate our quality to world-class standards,” we told them. “Can you help us do that?”


The response was incredible. Many growers and artisans had wanted to improve their offerings but weren’t sure what the local market would bear, so they seized the opportunity to innovate with the influx of Olympic funding. This sparked a food renaissance in Utah that thrives today, earning global respect for small-batch chocolates, artisanal cheeses, gourmet salts, Dutch oven dinners, Bear Lake raspberries, High West whiskeys, and more.
(Yes, even fry sauce!)


We’re proud of the reputation our state has earned, not just for our gorgeous outdoors but for our exceptional food and hospitality. We can’t wait to show it off when the Olympics return.

Utah is the only state with three Michelin stars.

In the last two decades, Utah has gained worldwide acclaim for its exceptional food, warm hospitality, and unparalleled tourist experience. And it’s not just talk. In 2022, the Michelin Guide—famous for awarding stars to the world’s finest restaurants—granted the entire state of Utah an unprecedented three-star distinction.

For context, Michelin stars signify excellence:
1 star: Worth a stop
2 stars: Worth a detour
3 stars: Worth a special trip

Utah is the only state in the U.S. to receive this prestigious three-star rating, recognized for its outstanding service, breathtaking landscapes, and iconic national parks. The world is taking notice—ask any international traveler about their U.S. bucket list, and chances are, Utah is near the top.

Growing together

Building Utah’s reputation for food and hospitality has taken the collective efforts of many. Over the years, we’ve formed strong relationships with local farmers, ranchers, cheesemakers, florists, venues, and others, working together to continually raise the bar.

We prioritize sourcing locally whenever possible, ensuring the freshest ingredients, reducing transportation costs and pollution, and supporting Utah’s growers and vendors. We proudly recommend our favorite local partners to clients and showcase their products at our events—because their success is ours.

27x winner Utah’s Best of State

24x Best of State Caterer

3x Best of the Best / Hospitality

1x Entrepreneur of the Year