Salt Lake Magazine’s 2025 Dining Awards Ceremony
Feb. 24, 2025 • This is the Place Heritage Park, SLC
Photos by Natalie Simpson, Beehive Photography
Salt Lake magazine held its 2025 Dining Awards at This is the Place Heritage Park in Salt Lake City on Feb. 24, 2025. The event, sponsored by Cuisine Unlimited, Swire Coca-Cola and Sysco, honored Utah restaurants and food service professionals for their contributions to Utah’s food and dining culture. Nineteen ‘Best Restaurants’ were selected this year, along with six new ‘Restaurants to Watch.’ Some of the evening’s highlights included the Golden Spoon For Hospitality Award given to Ali Sabbeh from Mazza and his team, the Spirit Award presented to Alpine Distilling and the Outstanding Restaurant of the Year for Matteo Ristorante Italiano.
Morgan Reedy, left, Jenn Castle, Jeremy Pugh (Editor, Salt Lake magazine) and Blake Spalding of Hell’s Backbone Grill, which was awarded Salt Lake’s “Walk the Talk Award.”
Rime Restaurant was named one of the Best Restaurants in Utah for 2025
Kimi Eklund from Kimi’s Chop House accepts her award for one of the top restaurants in Utah for 2025
Rebecca Brewer and Mark Eggett from Sysco (the event’s title sponsor)
Devin Kaufusi (left), Corinne Hall, Chef Randall Curtis and General Manager Haden Bromlely from Harbor Seafood + Steak. Harbor was given Salt Lake magazine’s #Randompink award for service and community involvement
Musician James Derrickson kept the vibe right all night
Darby Doyle (left), Katie Edridge and Lydia Martinez
Salt Lake magazine staff and friends: Art Director Chelsea Rushton (left), Production Manager Samantha Burt, Managing Editor Christie Porter, Digital Editor Avrey Evans, Graphic Designer Kimmy Hammons, Sales Executives Scott Haley and Jeanette Erickson, Editor Jeremy Pugh, Office Administrator Jodi Nelson, Utah Style & Design Editor Meagan Barthalomew and Sales Executive Justin Dunkley
Alex Slater (left), Julia Dehring, Rebecca Cardaccio and Alaina Rahimzadegan from Vine Lore Wine & Spirits
Salt Lake magazine Editor Jeremy Pugh and former Managing Editor Christie Porter
Grand America’s Derby Day Celebration
Saturday, May 3, 2025 • Laurel Brasserie & Bar at the Grand America Hotel, SLC
Photos by The Grand America Hotel
The third Derby Day at the Grand was a spirited afternoon of Southern charm benefitting the Utah Food Bank. Hosted by Good Things Utah’s Deena Marie Manzanares, the event invites guests to don their finest Churchill Downs attire for patio festivities, including live music, complimentary hors d’oeuvres, an exclusive small bites menu, mint juleps and peach & bourbon smashes, prize opportunities and the Kentucky Derby viewing. All to support meals for Utahns in need.
Karen Innes-Mulhall
Matt Riley, Ashley Iverson
Ginette Bott (left), Jill Hodson, Krystal Gates, Glen Mills, Nicea DeGering, Greg Burke, Deena Manzanares, Heather Holmgren and Alex J. Bel
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