Seven years ago we sat in a booth at Market Street Grill and dreamed up a food and wine tasting event for Salt Lake City. It was time—our restaurant scene had exploded and we wanted to bring everyone together to celebrate our city’s great food. The first year, Salt Lake magazine’s Tastemakers was held in the parking lot next to Squatters Pub Brewery. It rained and everyone huddled under the tents laughing. There was no VIP pavilion.
Last night was the first night of what’s become a two-day Salt Lake tradition. The party has grown—now there are 1400 guests, 40 restaurants, cocktails, cheesemakers, chocolatiers, live music, a tasting tour to more restaurants downtown via open-top bus. I rode the bus and listened to people who have been coming to Tastemakers since the beginning reminisce about past years.
Cool.
Very cool.
And a whole lotta fun.
If you didn’t get tickets this year (sold out), look out for it next spring: Salt Lake magazine’s Tastemakers.