Utah Food Festival Celebrates the State’s Rich Culinary History

SALT LAKE CITY, APRIL 24, 2024 – Celebrate food and foraging at the 2024 Utah Food Festival on Saturday and Sunday, May 4 and 5, 2024. Hosted by the Natural History Museum of Utah and their supporting partner Harmons, the festival celebrates the Mountain West’s diverse culinary heritage. Guests can sample and shop a wide array of foods and flavors from local artisans, as well as participate in engaging workshops led by culinary experts.  

"We are thrilled to have such amazing partners in Harmons, Caputo’s, Caffe Ibis, Prime Corn, and Wasatch Community Gardens for this year's festival," said Dr. Jason Cryan, The Sarah B. George Executive Director of the Natural History Museum of Utah. "Their expertise and passion for food will undoubtedly enhance the overall experience for our guests." 

Workshops delve into a wide range of cuisines from Cheese Tasting 101 with the director of specialty cheese at Harmons to Coffee Brewing Techniques with the experts from Caffe Ibis. With its focus on education and exploration, the Utah Food Festival aims to enrich visitors' knowledge of food history and culture. Museum experts will offer insightful lessons and engage attendees in thought-provoking presentations on ancient potatoes, urban foraging, fermentation, and the importance of lunch.  

"Working with NHMU, we want to create an immersive experience that not only offers great food but also gives guests the tools to curate culinary experiences on their own, " said Mariah Ballard, director of the specialty cheese program at Harmons. "Food is an integral part of our culture and this festival allows us to celebrate and appreciate the rich culinary heritage of our region." 

The festival will also feature Scientist in the Spotlight programs, an oolitic sand experience, a drop off zone for kids so parents can enjoy the festival, a Dino Diner activity zone, and Food of Utah gallery tours! Purchasing admission in advance is strongly encouraged, and pre-registration for workshops is required. Please visit nhmu.utah.edu/FoodFest.  

Workshops:  

Pre-registration required 

Ancient Corn Preparation: Chef Wendy Juarez, owner of Prime Corn, is partnering with Wasatch Community Gardens to introduce you to two dishes using ancient preparation techniques and seasonal ingredients. 

Cheese Tasting 101: Join Mariah Ballard, director of the specialty cheese program at Harmons, to learn where your favorite cheese comes from, how it is made, and how cheese gets ‘classified’.  

Intro to Craft Chocolate: Brought to you by the team that runs Caputo’s most popular tasting class, learn how to identify flavors in chocolate, become familiarized with great chocolate makers, and learn how to enrich your life with chocolate.  

Chocolate & Cheese Pairing: Love sweet and savory? Need some balance in your cuisine? Look no further, Daxton Chelius of Caputo’s will teach out how to perfectly marry chocolate with cheese and sample some delicious pairings to experience the impact of indulgent flavors.   

Coffee Brewing Techniques: Dive deep into how to perfectly balance your cup of coffee with the experts from Caffe Ibis Coffee Roasters. Learn the Four T’s: time, temperature, turbulence, and taste, to elevate your coffee extraction and explore different brew methods.  

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 About the Natural History Museum of Utah   

The Natural History Museum of Utah is one of the leading scientific research and cultural institutions in the country. Established in 1963, the museum’s 10 permanent exhibitions are anchored by its state-of-the-art collections and research facilities containing almost 2 million objects. These collections are used in studies on geological, biological, and cultural diversity, and the history of living systems and human cultures within the Utah region. The museum hosts approximately 300,000 general visitors a year and provides one of the most spectacular private event settings in the Salt Lake City area. NHMU also broadens the reach of its mission through a variety of science-based outreach programs to communities and schools throughout Utah, reaching every school district in the state every other year.