food

“I have a magical vision in my head of live music or music playing from juke boxes, with the windows open and the late summer breeze blowing in, and laughter. I just can’t wait to sit there and hear those sounds.” Leentje Klingensmith, the Marketing Director for the newly restored Oakley Diner, shares her vision for how the fresh space is going to feel. The historical Oakley Diner, formerly known as the Road Island Diner, has resided in Oakley, UT since 2007. Recently, the diner closed its doors in 2020 and went up for sale.…

Sierra Prothers grew up skiing in New England, but when those mountains were no longer big enough for her, she made her way to the Rocky Mountains, eventually landing here in Wasatch County. Sierra’s travels and outdoor experiences fostered an interest in food sourcing and production; having space to plant a garden was an important factor in looking for a place to live. Sierra shared, “My partner and I found a lovely place in the town of Charleston right on the border of Heber. We were lucky enough to find a piece of…

In colonial English villages, a Common was a shared piece of ground where neighbors came together to spend time together, share a meal, share their lives and have fun! Anyone that’s dined on Main Street in Midway understands the level of culinary caliber available for every meal. From fluffy donuts at Judy’s to Northern European-style brunch at Blue Boar Inn to authentic chile relleno and mole at Lupita’s to hearth-to-table cuisine at Midway Mercantile; the bar is high. Luckily, newcomer and dual-concept restaurant Heirloom…

How often do you think about where your food comes from? We’ve become a civilization of packaged foods, freeze-dried, vacuum-packed, hands-off food options everywhere. With just a few clicks on a keyboard, and doorstep delivery, it’s possible to get spices straight from India in the same box as small farm-made jerky from Tennessee. I contrast this with having grown up with beautiful home-cooked meals from my Italian grandmother; using fresh-picked tomatoes, herbs, and zucchini from the garden, I learned to appreciate…

If you were to ask chefs around Anytown, USA, pre-pandemic, how they were feeling — most would tell you, “I’m tired. I’m not sure it is worth it anymore.” Prestigious food magazines such as Food & Wine and Fine Dining have written articles over the past two years expressing the consensus that Chefs have been struggling to fight what we affectionately call “the crush”. The crush is the predominant demand to stay relevant in the ever-changing world of trends and the newest “Best Of” list that seems to take on a life of…

Keep an Eye Out For These Meals on Wheels and Grab a Bite This Summer Cucina Rustico · Taqueria Los Cunados · Yalla Food Truck There is something nostalgic about eating outside during the summer. Where I come from in the South, bare feet and something in your hand as you run through a park or sit at a ball game is the quintessential, hallmark movie moment that come to life. I think this is what I love most about tasting my way through the Wasatch Back; it reminds me that great food and good-hearted people make a community…

An Unknown Rancher Once Said, “In Winter’s Chill or Summer’s Heat . . . Farmers and Ranchers Work so the World Can Eat.” Farms and ranches are more than wide swaths of land used to raise crops and livestock. They are a family’s heritage and future. Jessie Morris and Chad Murdock understand the importance of both heritage and looking towards the future; it’s one of the main reasons they opened a butcher shop right here in their beloved Heber Valley. Jessie and Chad have been best friends since middle school. The Morris…

Chocolate (n.) A delicious cure for a bad day. What is it about chocolate? According to Robbie Stout and Anna Davies, owners of Ritual Chocolate in Charleston, it’s a lot of things! The two business partners recently moved their chocolate-making factory and café to the Heber Valley. And they want to invite everyone to experience their unique flavors and chocolate-making process. The café opened for business in October of 2020 and was the culmination of a 10-year journey. Stout is originally from Midway, UT, and Davies…

“Variety’s the very spice of life that gives it all its flavor,” said the poet William Cowper.

Gather your kids, friends, and family to discover different cultures and the food they eat. Try out a few new recipes, and prepare them together. Participate in a festivity you've never celebrated before. Eat new foods. Share and create a new tradition!