You’ve been hearing about it, and this weekend, it’s time to pull up a chair and enjoy a unique summer food experience: the Chef’s Table Festival, one of two culinary milestones we can all celebrate.
The Park City Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau joined with Visit Salt Lake and Sundance Resort to form the Wasatch Culinary Collective and for more than a year, worked to include Utah and the Wasatch Back in the prestigious Michelin Guide Southwest. I am proud to say we succeeded.
And today, we are right in the middle of the Chef’s Table Festival, with so many unique culinary experiences already under our belt, so to speak, after Thursday evening’s opening events.
All day and into the evening Saturday and through brunch Sunday, about 70 acclaimed chefs will host another 75 unique meals, with Le Depot on Main serving as the hub. Take your pick of culinary events ranging from the Fire Garden (Part 2!) and “Through Their Eyes” to Family Meal and Sunday Brunch gatherings. There may still be local tickets at parkcity.chefstable.com.
Sponsored by American Express and Resy, organizers selected Park City to host the inaugural Chef’s Table Festival. The names involved give an idea of the scale. Francis Mallmann, Massimo Bottura, Virgilio Martínez, Nancy Silverton and Sean Brock are among the globally acclaimed chefs you will encounter this weekend.
Chef’s Table does more than shine a spotlight on our outstanding culinary reputation. It shows what moving toward a four-season economy looks like: giving people more reasons to experience Park City even when there is no schussing to be done. It’s about sharing our trails, our art (as we did last weekend with the Kimball Arts Festival), our summer events like Deer Valley’s Concerts on the Slopes and, increasingly, our food scene.
Chef’s Table calls national attention to something locals have always known: Park City has amazingly diverse dining choices. The benefits extend beyond excellent options for us. Visitors who discover our culinary scene spread the word, helping shape a balanced tourism flow and a more diversified, year-round economy.
Which brings us to Michelin.
On Aug. 26, Michelin will unveil the Michelin Guide Southwest at a ceremony in Las Vegas, featuring the Wasatch Back and Utah for the first time, an emphatic acknowledgment of how far we’ve come. Park City restaurants and chefs will now be featured in this leading international publication, trusted by knowledgeable travelers around the world.
Michelin’s anonymous inspectors began evaluating Park City restaurants last fall for Michelin Stars or other distinctions such as Bib Gourmand, Green Stars and “Michelin Recommended” status. We can’t wait to see the results, and I want to congratulate our Park City chefs, restaurant owners, and hospitality teams in advance for their commitment to excellence. Your dedication put Park City on the culinary map, adding dining to our other world-class experiences.
A truly balanced economic engine supports local jobs and businesses all year, not just when the snow flies. A first-class and widely known dining scene is critical to that four-season mix. Michelin recognition and the Chef’s Table Festival are the latest evidence that we are on our way.
Let’s celebrate both achievements as we enjoy a unique Park City gourmet weekend with Chef’s Table Festival. And remember, it is the talented, dedicated people behind our amazing local restaurants who deserve all the credit.
Jennifer Wesselhoff is the president and CEO of the Park City Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau.