Well-Being, Family and Private Canyon Silence Come Together at Luxurious Sentierre

Back in 2011, Stan Castleton, a luxury developer with decades of experience, began work on what he intends to be his legacy project, Sentierre. Having recently completed the St. Regis, Deer Valley, he imagined the next resort as a place where families, friends, and soon-to-be friends, could gather and escape from what anyone might consider their daily lives. It would be an intimate place where well being, luxury, and connection would be paramount. 

Twelve years later, Castleton’s vision has come to life at Sentierre Padre Canyon, an ultra-luxury destination resort that seamlessly blends in with the red rocks of surrounding Snow Canyon State Park. While it’s been a long time coming, that’s not to say the last decade and change haven’t been filled with hard work. His group, DDRM Partners, along with Alan Layton, the longtime CEO of Layton Construction and the original owner of the land in Padre Canyon where the resort sits, spent years tirelessly planning Sentierre from the ground up.

“These things take time and we wanted to do it right,” says David Castleton, Stan’s son and Project Manager.

Natalie Tallakson, Sales Advisor at Sentierre who is also over Guest Relations, likes to echo the elder Castleton when describing Sentierre. “Stan believes this will be ‘North America’s next great destination resort of its kind’ because of the depth of the consultants we’ve brought on board plus the proposed wellness and recreational offerings at Sentierre,” she says. 

When guests and Owner-Members aren’t out hiking the trails, rock-climbing, mountain biking, or destination rappelling, they’re probably taking time to enhance their well-being in this unexpected location which is entirely surrounded by a designated wilderness area in addition to a state park.

“As you approach sentierre, the natural beauty envelops you in a way that the cares of everyday life are released. You become lighter as you enter Padre Canyon and that feeling continues creating the space for connectedness and healing with yourself and your loved ones.”

—Natalie Tallakson,
Sales Advisor
Sentierre

That happens in many different ways, the management duo explains. The resort’s crowning feature consists of meticulously planned indoor and outdoor amenity spaces, as well as a soon-to-be-completed Wellbeing Academy and Spa, complete with every kind of modern treatment and traditional holistic practices. Whether you’re looking to grow physically, mentally, financially, emotionally, or even spiritually, you’ll find the means to do so at the Academy and Spa.

But while the Academy and Spa and the carefully designed villas—there are 45 custom villa homes being offered for sale—give Sentierre its shape, the resort’s best attraction could be its seamless blend into the peaceful refuge that surrounds it. At night, there are no distractions, just perfect stillness.

“Because there’s no light pollution whatsoever, the stargazing in the evening is just unexplainable,” David says. “It’s remarkable. You just don’t get this anywhere else.”

Dining at Sentierre:  A Note from the Chef

Private Residence Chef Edward Wright brings years of experience to the kitchen at the brand-new ultra-luxurious resort. In his own words, he tells the story of his culinary journey and explains the food-first approach he brings to Sentierre.

“My name is Edward Wright and I was born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada. I began my cooking career at the Bellagio Hotel, working at one of the city’s most well-known restaurants, Todd English’s Olives.

I soaked up all the knowledge I could in the few years that I worked there. After that, I got my first job as a chef, at a spot called Beso, which was owned by actress Eva Longoria. I quickly moved my way up the ladder despite never attending culinary school. I was fortunate to work early in my career with some great chefs who passed much of their knowledge. It also helped me to live in Las Vegas, home to some of the best restaurants and chefs in the world. It was exciting to find my passion for great food.

 “I believe in a clean style of cooking. I don’t complicate the plate. If you use top-notch products and a great technique, while keeping it all about the food, you can’t do wrong. I’m not a big talker, but I’ve learned I don’t have to be. My food speaks for itself.” 

—Chef Edward Wright,
Private Residence Chef
Sentierre

After working on my craft in my hometown, I decided to move to St. George, Utah where I worked at several different restaurants. After many years of working at a few different spots, I met Stan Castleton, the mastermind behind luxurious Sentierre Padre Canyon. We started by hosting a weekend tasting in a downtown St. George showroom. This was where I became the chef I am today.

After two years at Sentierre, I decided to do my own thing. In 2021, I began my own private chef experience, while remaining a part of the Sentierre family. I’m also a co-owner of Humble Kitchen, an organization that works with nonprofits.

800 N. Tuacahn Dr., Ivins
435-429-7000 | sentierre.com

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Park City Culinary Institute helps Home Cooks whip up a tasty meal, a lasting set of skills

When most people think of culinary school, they probably picture a grueling, multi-year-long program that can be as expensive as it is time-consuming.

Park City Culinary Institute, which is now in Salt Lake City, does things quite differently. Park City Culinary has recently revamped its training program to get students from beginner to graduate in less than two months. The results, according to Director and Owner Laurie Moldawer, can be “life-changing.”

“If you take a cooking class at a grocery store, you might learn how to make a recipe like dumplings, but you’re not going to learn cooking techniques,” she says. “We teach the same techniques that a 2-year college would teach, only we teach them in 5 weeks.”

The results can significantly improve a person’s ability to cook for themselves as well as entertain others. Lessons learned at Park City Culinary Institute can upgrade a simple meal for one or a few into something far more exquisite.

For example, for many, cooking a steak at home misses a key technique. The home cook knows to season the steak, but they may not know how to bring out the flavor from caramelization. By attending culinary school, the home cook would learn about the Maillard reaction. The caramelized brown bits that remain on the pan are known in France as “fond” and can be used to build the flavor in a sauce. Scrape and melt the fond with some liquid and thicken the sauce with a little butter or cream and you’ll have a tasty addition to your meal. And not to mention, the person you might be cooking for will be quite impressed.This is one way professional Chefs build flavor.

All these little tiny techniques that I thought wouldn’t make a difference, really do make a huge difference in the final product and the flavor. It’s a little sad because I’ve been cooking for my family for 30 years, but it wasn’t until this last year that it’s tasted like we’re at a restaurant now.”

—Amy Roskelley, Graduate
Park City Culinary Institute

“I looked into other culinary programs and it was supposed to take two years,” says Amy Roskelley, a recent graduate ofPark City Culinary who now boasts that the sourdough bread she makes every week is a huge hit with her adult children. “Five weeks was perfect, I would not have wanted it to take any longer.”

The best part, Moldawer says, is that these skills can be learned by anyone regardless of previous cooking experience or age. Park City Culinary’s oldest graduate to date was 80.

“If you’re a grandmother and you want to go to culinary school to cook or bake for your grandchildren, Park City Culinary Institute would be perfect for you,” she explains. “We can teach you how to make French macarons, eclairs, chocolate and all sorts of fun stuff for your family.” 

Part-time evening courses are also available that meet at 6pm three times a week. Park City Culinary Institute continues to win awards for its innovative approach to culinary education.

1484 State St., Salt Lake City
801-413-2800 
parkcityculinaryinstitute.com

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A Little Thrift Shop in Millcreek That Makes a Big Difference

The thrift shop operated by the Assistance League of Salt Lake is a small building that packs a big punch. Inside, the customers know they can find great deals on high-quality and often surprising items. But what’s best is the good that comes out of a great deal.

A non-profit that prides itself on transforming lives and strengthening the community, the Assistance League of Salt Lake City uses its proceeds from the thrift shop and other generous donors to make a big difference for many.

As part of a national network of Assistance League chapters, the Salt Lake chapter proudly served over 32,000 people in 2021-22. The service rendered included over 19,000 books donated to Title I schools, new clothing for nearly 4,500 children, a shopping spree for 239 more, pain-relieving dental care for nearly 200 kids, and clothing assistance to over 100 adults. The Assisteens—which are 7th through 12th graders who carry out service projects throughout the community—made a difference in over 500 lives last year. That, in addition to 650 assault survivor kits, a dozen or so computer donations, a donation of 400 new shoes, 1,100 newborn baby bundles, and many different service projects added up to a big year of giving. It’s nothing new for the Assistance League of Salt Lake City, which is approaching 50 years of supporting the local community.

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“We want to thank our community for supporting the Assistance League of Salt Lake and our thrift store. It gives us the opportunity to go back out and fund all of our life-changing programs.” 

— Debbie Wilkerson, President
Assistance League of Salt Lake City

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The staff, which is completely volunteer-driven, however, will credit its donors for fueling the engine that makes the ALSLC what it is. Nestled on the East Bench of Salt Lake City, the thrift shop benefits from donated items that are in great shape and can be a good deal for the next buyer. The volunteers at the thrift shop work tirelessly to sort the donations, clean up the items, and keep the storefront as curated, clean, and helpful as possible. And they all do so with a smile.You never know exactly what you’ll run into in the store, but for years it has made a reputation for outstanding clothing, jewelry, and smaller home goods. 

But it isn’t only through its eclectic thrift shop that the Assistance League gets its support. Grants, annual donation appeals, and other special events make it possible to do good for tens of thousands of people, year after year. It’s all appreciated and goes to a great cause.

alslc.org

801-484-3401

2090 E. 3300 South, Salt Lake City

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C.W. Group is Quickly Becoming Utah’s Best Residential Developer

Utah’s rapid growth has many developers eager to construct new properties, C.W. Group has quickly built a vast portfolio of residential projects while taking an inspired approach. Founded in 2016 by Colin Wright, the Centerville-based developer aims to first understand how Utah’s want to live and then create value through thoughtful land planning and locations, progressive architecture, and exceptional execution across five business lines that are primarily focused on providing residential communities.

C.W. Group’s achievements have contributed  solutions for one  of Utah’s most pressing and nuanced issues, housing. Answering the need for low density, master planned for rent housing, The C.W. Urban division broke ground, in 2021, on thePEARL at North Shore, a breathtaking new development in Daybreak, which historically catered to for sale housing. In the same year, the division also delivered theVILLAGE at Silvercreek, its first affordable housing project in Park City. Whether it is for sale, for rent, master planned communities or developed lots, many of the most innovative and progressive housing communities that are reshaping Northern and Southern Utah  can be credited to the C.W. Group.

“Building community,’ for us, starts with building the people in our company. We encourage an environment where vulnerability, courage,  bravery, going beyond measure and contribution is rewarded. We celebrate being creative, thinking differently and innovative ideas. Our culture and values attract and retain incredibly talented individuals. When we focus on building our people, they set a new standard to design and build outstanding projects and communities.“

— Darlene Carter, CEO
C.W. Group

Cole West Home, another homebuilding division within C.W. Group based in St. George, has been highlighted for its unique approach to design, architecture, and development and was featured in Utah Style and Design’s “StyleMakers” in 2022. As one of Southern Utah’s largest homebuilders, Cole West Home specializes in delivering some of the most sought after master planned nightly rental, residential and active adult home communities in Utah. 

C.W. Group’s trademark phrase “We Build Community™” goes beyond delivering residential housing solutions. The company puts a high emphasis on bringing that same concept to activate individuals within the community. In 2021, C.W. Group became the first company to participate in a team-wide NIL deal with the University of Utah Athletics Department and has since signed over 15 team-wide and 50+ individual student-athlete deals to support young professionals.

More than just constructing the physical buildings that will shape Utah’s future, C.W. Group is building the communities that will thrive together.

cwgroup.com

801-661-3810

610 N. 800 West, Centerville

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Ken Garff Porsche Audi Lehi Provide Luxury-Auto Customers With Unforgettable Experiences

Many high-end luxury car dealers don’t allow their customers to take a test drive until payment is made. Sunne Couvrette, who leads Ken Garff’s Porshe and Audi Lehi dealerships as the General Sales Manager, does things much differently.

Earlier this spring, Couvrette took a group of previous, current, and future customers on a one-of-a-kind test drive of sorts at the Porsche Experience Center in Los Angeles. There, he and his group got behind the wheel of a few of the legendary brand’s most well-regarded automobiles, including the 911 Carrera S, the 911 GT3, and the Taycan Turbo.

The experience, Couvrette says, was “mind-blowing.“To be able to be sitting behind the steering wheel of these vehicles was a pretty awesome experience,” he says. “It really opens your mind to a whole new level of understanding of what these vehicles are capable of.”

The customers raved about their time working with one of Porsche’s driving instructors on the track in Carson, California. It was safe and well-controlled, but man was it fun to feel the control of a Porsche 911 as it handles a corner going 120 miles per hour with ease, Couvrette explains.

While that experience stands out, Couvrette says that’s just a taste—a very fast and unique taste—of what customers can experience at the Ken Garff Porsche Audi dealerships in Lehi, Utah. The two stores have received high praise. The Audi Lehi dealership was a 2023 Magna Society Honoree for superior customer service and the Porsche dealership was named a 2023 Premier Porsche Dealer as one of the 25 best in the United States. Of course, customers will  also enjoy Ken Garff’s signature “We Hear You” approach to doing business.

“We’re all about the cars, but at the end of the day, we know that people are our most important piece of the business. When you have the right people and think of them as your most important assets, it changes how your team shows up, how your customers get treated, it changes everything.” 

— Sunne Couvrette, General Sales Manager
Ken Garff Porsche-Audi Lehi

“A lot of these highline dealerships don’t actually allow customers to drive the cars unless they are ready to buy that day. With us, unless the car is already sold, it doesn’t matter if it’s a $50,000 car or a $250,000 car, we know people want to experience the car first,” Couvrette says.

And sometimes, they might end up behind the steering wheel of a Porsche on a racetrack in Southern California.

audilehi.com

888-654-6719

3455 N. Digital Drive, Lehi 

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Experience, Expertise makes Park City Blind & Design Stand Out

Founded in 1995, Park City Blind & Design has gone from servicing the greater Park City area to becoming the state’s most sought after window treatment designers. This spring, the company also opened a brand new, state-of-the-art design studio in St. George.

“Park City Blind & Design has been successful because of their experienced design consultants and expert installation team,” says Greg Rees, the company’s CEO. Together they bring unparalleled value to their clients. Since its humble beginnings when the original founder, Tim Luger, set out to do business in Park City, the company has been focused on creating the best window treatment solutions available. “Park City Blind & Design has been assisting clients for 30 years. We have been involved in tens of thousands of building and remodeling projects in Utah and surrounding states,” Rees says. 

Whether you’re looking for blinds, roller shades, shutters, roman shades or custom drapes and upholstery, Park City Blind & Design guides clients through the design process seamlessly. That can be done in either one of their beautiful design studios or a complementary in-home consultation. 

 “in window treatments, the goal is to marry beauty with function—you want them to look beautiful, operate perfectly, and serve their functional purpose. We are proud of our top-notch designers and installers and the fine attention to detail they provide.” 

— Greg Rees, CEO
Park City Blind & Design

As experts in motorized shades, they are excited about the improvements they see on a regular basis to the technology that allows everyone to enjoy the convenience and functionality, ensuring clients truly get the best window treatments available.

parkcityblind.com

435-649-9665 

1612 W. Ute Blvd., Park City

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Home Again: Makes Furnishing a Space With High-Quality Goods Affordable and Easy

A comfortable life requires comfortable furniture. Unfortunately, like most things, home goodsand all the essentials to fill a living space have gotten more and more expensive. In times like these, buying secondhand or gently used furniture pieces has become a much more viable option. Emily Larsen, who owns Home Again, a consignment furniture and home goods shop with two locations in Midvale and Millcreek, has seen an explosion of interest in her store’s offerings recently.

“People need an affordable way to furnish their homes,” she explains. “What makes us valuable is that we offer quality home furnishings at reasonable prices for any budget.”

At times, affordability is one thing, but quality is another in the home furnishings world. Home Again, however, makes both a priority. Between the two storefronts, Home Again offers more than 8,000 square feet of furniture selections. But as Larsen tells it, she and her partners at her Midvale store, Terran and Andrea Church, would much rather have a store half-full of high-quality products than one that’s full of less-than-high-quality stuff.

“I’m extremely picky,” Larsen laughs.

But there are two sides to the coin for consignment shops, which serve both customers looking to buy and those looking to sell. As opposed to the hassle of listing an item online, hoping to attract a buyer, haggling over prices, and then stressing over delivery or pickup, Home Again becomes a much more painless alternative for folks looking to unload what they have. With a solid following on Facebook and Instagram, shoppers are regularly checking social media to see what Home Again has in stock. And those that sell with the shops, usually make more money, Larsen says.

“We’ve been operating in the Salt Lake City area for a while now, starting with a spot in Sugar House in the mid-90s. We’ve been doing this for over 20 years now and we’ve seen our stores become more of a need now than ever as the cost of goods has gone up so much.” 

— Emily Larsen, Owner
Home Again

So for those looking to furnish a new house, or give a current home a fresh new look without breaking the bank, Home Again is there to serve the Salt Lake Valley community.

homeagainconsignment.net

3640 S. Highland Dr., Millcreek

801-487-4668 

7490 S. Holden St., Midvale

801-255-5457

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