July is comin’ in hot with plenty of food and drinks events, whether you’re looking to plan a casual potluck with friends to snagging a seat at the table for upcoming exclusive ticketed events.
JULY 2–4: FORUM FEST AT PARK CITY MOUNTAIN
Canyon’s Village will be hosting a three-day event throughout the village grounds, with food trucks, pop-up vendors and resort restaurants offering a bunch of family-friendly options. Admissions to the village area is free. Check out the activities, music schedule and food lineup here.
JULY 5: AMERICA’S POTLUCK
Understatement of the century: Utahns love a potluck. And for the 250th anniversary of all things ‘Merica, the America’s Potluck program encourages Utahns statewide to gather some friends and family to keep the weekend celebration going strong. I had the opportunity to attend a preview event hosted by the Beehive State’s America250 commission, with local purveyors Lee’s Marketplace and Associated Foods, special guest appearances by Utah’s First Lady Abby Cox (who shared her recipe for Sanpete BBQ turkey legs), the Salt Lake Children’s Choir, and more, all emceed by friend of the mag, Jennifer Burns. It was my first time experiencing the bounty of a Lee’s Marketplace catered event and it was impressive, y’all. (Yes, there was green jello.) More information at AmericasPotluck.org.
JULY 8–14: BASTILLE BASH AT SCION CIDER BAR
If you’ve never tried French cider, your opportunities to be wowed abound at Scion Cider Bar. Each night features a Francophile adventure, from a class pairing French cider et fromage, to getting crafty learning at a “sip and script” calligraphy class. Also, mark your calendar for their 5th ANNUAL SCIONEER DAY anniversary bash on Saturday July 18. Check out these events and more on their packed lineup here. (21+ only, make sure to bring that ID.)
JULY 15: MARTHA STOUMEN WINES + PINTXOS PAIRING AT PAGO
Don’t miss this lineup of stellar summer wines from the Martha Stoumen portfolio presented by the winemaker herself. Four courses of garden-fresh, hyper-local bites will be paired with a progression of wines from this small Northern California producer who is primarily sourcing Mediterranean grapes in the hot climate of Mendocino and Contra Costa counties, along with the Suisun Valley. I’ve got my eye on the third course, in particular: a pairing of local Whistling Springs trout cake with the ‘Post Flirtation’ orange (a blend of Vermentino, Roussanne, Marsanne and Muscat). 21+ only, $38 tasting menu and $38 for wine per ticket; reservations here.
JULY 15: BALLET WEST AND BALLERINA FARM: FROM ROOT TO RELEVÉ
This looks like a must-attend event for fans of the Kamas-based influencer, hosted at the eponymous Ballerina Farm dairy. From the media alert Ballet West sent me: “On July 15, Ballet West and Ballerina Farm are hosting From Root to Relevé, a farm-to-table dinner experience in the Kamas Valley featuring seasonal produce, farm-raised meats, and fresh cheeses from Ballerina Farm’s dairy and creamery, prepared over open fire by guest chefs Micheál “Tiffin” Griffin and Avery Jensen. Guests will experience the outdoor dinner along with a preview performance from Ballet West’s inaugural Summit Festival before the full show takes the stage two days later at Canyons Village.” See the whole three-day lineup of Ballet West events here (July 15–17), and reserve seats for the July 15 dinner here. Prices start at $365 per person, all ages.
JULY 24: PIE & BEER DAY CELEBRATIONS
Utah’s favorite counterculture holiday celebrates all things pie (the sweet and the savory), preferably served with local brews on the Beehive State’s official holiday of Pioneer Day. A few we’ve made note of:
- Touting this event as the “largest assemblage of Pie & Beer in the country,” stop by the ol’ SL ballpark (the one on 90 S. West Temple) from 4–8 p.m. for a pie market, pie-eating contest, and a beer garden featuring local brews. From the Visit Salt Lake event blurb, “Pie & Beer Day is one of the most inclusive events in Utah—a celebration where the only requirement for attendance is showing up and having a good time. Better yet, every ticket helps support the Ballpark Action Team and its efforts to activate the historic stadium and strengthen one of Salt Lake City’s most important neighborhoods through year-round community programming.”
- From Chappell Brewing (SLC): “Save the date for our biggest party of the year! We will have live music, local vendors, cold beer, some killer pies, pie slices from @sammakespizza_slc (aka Secret Pizza Club) and the best Cuban food from our friends @lacubanaslc.
JULY 29: CHEFS VIET PHAM AND NICK ZOCCO COLLABORATION AT URBAN HILL
Two of SLC’s powerhouse chefs will be teaming up for this sure-to-sell-out-fast event. Yep, both Viet Pham (Pretty Bird Chicken) and Nick Zocco (Urban Hill) have been thrice-nominated for James Beard awards, and both are Beat Bobby Flay champions (Pham also trounced Flay on Iron Chef America). From Urban Hill’s media heads up: “Bringing together two of Utah’s most decorated culinary talents, Chef Nick Zocco and Chef Viet Pham will co-create a six-course tasting menu for an intimate evening celebrating their shared commitment to exceptional cuisine. Tickets are $195 per person and can be purchased here.”
JULY 31: ALPINE TERROIR DINNER SERIES AT GOLDENER HIRSCH
Austrian cuisine touches down at Goldener Hirsch this summer, with a series of ephemeral multi-course meals curated by award-winning guest chefs. The season’s June event featured Austrian Michelin-starred Chef Klemens Gold, who took inspiration from the legacy of the Wasatch Mountains to curate a story-driven meal. Each course highlighted a notable Utah region, or point in time, utilizing farm fresh ingredients and inventive culinary techniques to celebrate Alpine terroir. July’s iteration invites Chef Palmetzhofer to Goldener Hirsch’s plein air dinner party. Named female Chef of the Year by Rolling Stone in 2023, guests can expect an unforgettable meal inspired by the flavors of her home region in Lower Austria. Two seatings available on July 31, and Aug. 1, tickets are $295.
ICYMI
Closing doors
A reminder to dine at the places you love, people, and keep it local when you can. In sad news, a slew of new closures were announced in June, including Xiao Bao Bao and Deadpan Sandwich (two favorites featured in my piece “A Dealer’s Choice of Ten Handheld Eats for Lunch in SLC” in the May/June issue of Salt Lake magazine), Cucina Toscana, Yoko Ramen and beloved Millcreek institution of a dozen years, Provisions. According to an announcement from the company, storied Market Street Grill Oyster Bar is closing up after a 50-year run downtown, although they’re still welcoming guests to locations in Cottonwood Heights and South Jordan. And though we’ll miss the Xiao Bao Bao experience, you can still find chef Romina Rasmussen’s delectable chocolates and pastry at Chez Nibs (cheznibs.com).
Eat Drink SLC
One of SLC’s most popular food and drink events is coming up fast! Eat Drink SLC’s 12th annual soirée will again be held two nights (Sept. 16 and 17) at downtown jewel Tracy Aviary. From Eat Drink SLC’s media alert: “Your ticket includes all food and libations, signature wine glasses, live entertainment, and, most importantly, a direct contribution to the nonprofits at the heart of our mission. Over 12 years, your support has enabled Eat Drink SLC to contribute more than $259,000 to local nonprofits. We donate 100% of net proceeds to organizations representing the three pillars that make Salt Lake extraordinary: People, Place, and Art. For 2026 and 2027, we are proud to designate Comunidades Unidas as our People beneficiary.” This is a 21+ only event, and the $125 ticket includes a wine glass, drink tickets, live entertainment and a stellar lineup of restaurants serving bites throughout the aviary’s grounds. Public ticket sales start June 29 and always go fast! Get yours here.
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