Meagan Faulkner-Brown, owner of Sweet Tooth Fairy bake shops, is no doubt still flying high after winning $10,000 earlier this month on “Cupcake Wars."

Now, the American Fork baker has a chance to win even more cash. Last week, she learned that her April 8 win made her eligible for the Food Network’s new “Cupcake Champions” competition.

The five-part series premiers Sunday, May 13. Each week, four previous “Cupcake Wars” winners will try to impress judges Candace Nelson (owner, Sprinkles Cupcakes) and Florian Bellanger (chef and co-owner, MadMac) for the chance to showcase their cupcakes at a winning g...

With the end of the 2011-2012 ski season, a number of Park City restaurants are closing temporarily.

Upon reopening in a few weeks, most restaurants will have new spring and summer operating hours. Check with each restaurant for details.

Here’s a list of restaurant that will be temporarily closed:
350 Main • closed through June 19
Buona Vita • closed through May 20
Easy Street • closed through June 10
Grub Steak • closed through April 27
High West • closed April 30 through May 2
Mustang • closed April 29 through May 17
Silver • closed April 28 through May 3
Silver Star Café • closed through May 7
Wahso • closed through June 7
Was...

Phil Baldwin of Salt Lake City is finalist in the Samuel Adams “Come Brew with Us” contest.

To win the competition and represent the Western region, Baldwin needs Utahns to vote for his video posted on the Samel Adams Facebook contest page. Here’s the link: http://www.facebook.com/SamuelAdams/app_211607358931918 Do it soon as the deadline is Monday, April 30.

For the contest, Samuel Adams executives asked beer fans to submit either a video or essay that demonstrated their creativity and knowledge of their beer. Five finalist were picked in five different regions.

Baldwin’s 90-second v...

After being closed for more than a year, Diva's Cupcakes and Coffee at 1560 E. 3300 South in Salt Lake City has a new owner and should reopen soon. It will operate under a new name — Diva's Cafe & Spirits.

In recent weeks, the cafe has been advertising for kitchen and waitstaff on local job boards. And last month, the Utah Division of Alcohol Beverage Control granted a "change of ownership" for its liquor license.

I'm hoping the cafe opens soon so we can enjoy it's lovely secluded patio, pictured here in 2009.

Caputo’s Market and Deli has hired Lya Becnel as it’s new pastry chef. Becnel, previously worked at Fresco Italian Cafe and Les Madeleines Bakery before traveling to Europe where she trained at Le Cordon Bleu in London and worked as a pastry chef in Michelin-starred restaurants.

At Caputo's, 314 W. 300 South, Salt Lake City, Becnel is making a variety of different desserts including chocolate cake, tiramisu, gelato and buttery French pastry called kouign amann (pronounced kween aman).

The crispy, caramelized kouign amann, according to

The owners of Meditrina, a popular small plates and tapas bar, are planning a second Salt Lake City restaurant that will feature made-from-scratch breakfasts.

When Pig & A Jelly Jar opens sometime in early May, it will offer a menu that includes house-made waffles, sauasages and jams. The restaurant also will serve lunch and offer a special three-course "Sunday Supper," said co-owner Jennifer Gilroy who will be the executive chef over both restaurants.

Prices at the Pig & Jelly Jar will range from $8 to $12, she said.

The restaurant will be located at 401 E. 900 South, in the remodeled building that was once occup...

Two cutting-edge chefs are starting another "pop up" restaurant in Salt Lake City this month.

Sushi chef Jonas Otsuji (a recent competitor on "Survivor") and culinary instructor Katie Weinner, (who was the head development chef for The Mist Project, another pop up restaurant) have launched SLC Alchemist.

The pair plans to offer a different 12-course tasting dinner once a month. The first event is Saturday, April 28 from 7 to 10 p.m. It will take place at the Fergusen Showroom, 2565 S. 300 West, Salt Lake City. It's an exclusive event with only 30 seats. Cost is $149 per person, which includes tax and tip, but not wine. H...

The Sweet Tooth Fairy bake shop, based in American Fork, became the first Utah company to win “Cupcake Wars," a culinary competition on The Food Network.

During Sunday night's episode, owner Megan Faulkner Brown and her lead baker, Hilary Cavanaugh, won $10,000. They also had their winning creations featured at the cast party for the premiere of the national tour of “Rock of Ages” in Los Angeles.

The Sweet Tooth Fairy team impressed judges with their first-round cranberry wine and brie cheesecake cupcake. In this initial round, participants were required to create a cupcake using a few selected “mystery ingredien...

A team from The Sweet Tooth Fairy bakeries in Utah will be competiting on the Sunday, April 8, episode of "Cupcake Wars."

The culinary competition show airs at 6 p.m. on the Food Network.

You'll need to bring a bike to this year's Park City Food and Wine Classic.

Organizers of the annual event, which runs July 5-8, have cut down on the number of daytime educational wine classes — only three are planned. Instead they have added more "bike with a chef" excursions that showcase Park City's mountain terrain.

On Friday, July 6, there's the "Mud, Sweat and Cheers" ride with Zane Holmquist, the executive chef at Stein Erikson Lodge. An avid biker, Holmquist takes participants on a scenic ride along one Park City's single track trails. Afterwards, he prepares them lunch with wine in the mountains.<...

Finca, a new contemporary Spanish restaurant in Salt Lake City, will officially open on Tuesday, April 3 — not today as originally planned

The restaurant is in a new development at 1291 S. 1100 East, where an old Dairy Queen used to be.

Owner Scott Evans said the food at Finca, which means farm/vineyard, will be contemporary Spanish-influenced cuisine that uses seasonal and local ingredients.

It will serve lunch, dinner, weekend brunch and late night tapas. Here are the official hours:

Lunch • Monday through Frida...

Get a sneak peek at Finca, a new contemporary Spanish restaurant in Salt Lake City, during two open house events.

Owner Scott Evans, who also owns Pago, is offering tours and tapas on Friday, March 30, from 5 to 7 p.m. and Saturday, March 31, from noon to 2.

The restaurant is in a new development at 1291 S. 1100 East — where the old Dairy Queen used to be.

Evans said the food at Finca, which means farm/vineyard, will be contemporary Spanish-influenced cuisine that uses seasonal and local ingredients.

The restaurant officia...

Gandolfo's New York Deli at 2641 W. 7800 South, was closed down by the Salt Lake Valley Health Department today for "presenting an imminent health hazard."

According to this notice posted on the department's website, the restaurant was cited for the following violations:

-An employee did not wash hands before putting on gloves.
-The hand sink is not operational because the faucet knobs are missing.
-Potato salad is held out of temperature at 48 degrees...

Two restaurants and a nostalgic toy/candy store — all with Utah County ties — are expected to open in Salt Lake City’s Gateway Mall this summer.

It will be the second locations for La Jolla Groves restaurant, Malawi’s Pizza and Blickenstaff’s.

La Jolla Groves serves soups, salads, sandwiches, pastas and entrees such as lemon roasted chicken and beef tenderloin. Prices from $7 to $17.

Malawi’s serves traditional and speciality pizzas on a thin, crispy crust. The...

Residents in Salt Lake County will be among the first to sample Pepsi NEXT, a new cola with 60 percent less sugar. Free sips will be available at nine area Walmart Supercenters next week Here’s the schedule:

Monday, March 26 • 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., 99 W. 1280 North, Tooele

Monday, March 26 • 3 to 7 p.m. , 3180 S. 5600 West, West Valley City

Tuesday, March 27 • 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., 5675 W. 6200 South, West Valley City

Wednesday, March 28 • 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., 5469 S. Redwood Rd., Tayl...

The new Cheesecake Factory at City Creek Center, which opened today, served more than 600 pieces of cheesecake by 3 p.m., according to a mall spokesperson.

The restaurant, located in the southeast corner of the mall, had more than 100 people in line at 11:30 a.m. and has been at capacity since opening.

Other interesting first day facts:

·

The two main restaurants at the new City Creek Center — The Cheesecake Factory and Texas de Brazil — haven't got me salivating.

But the downtown mall, which opened this morning, has one more large restaurant in the works, said developer Robert Taubmann, on Wednesday during a media tour of the mall.

He wouldn't name the restaurant, but did say it would be located south of the Nordstrom Plaza, putting it on 100 South and west of Main. It's an ideal location near the Salt Palace Convetion Center.

Still, I think I'd rather eat at one of these 13 restaurants that aren't part of the mall.

Ahh Sushi • 22 E. 100 South; 801-359-67...

I had a fun assignment last night, talking to the shoppers who attended the charity gala at the opening of City Creek Center.

I interviewed lots of happy folks in awe that Salt Lake City's downtown has come of age.

I had an especially enjoyable discussion with Janet Healy and her daughter Angela inside the new Macy's store. After I thanked them for their time, I was quickly approached by a Macy's employee.

"Macy's doesn't allow customers to be interviewed inside the store," the associate said with that fake smile they all seem to wear. " We like them t...

Chick-fil-A will give away 2,000 boneless-breast-of-chicken sandwiches on Wednesday, March 21 to celebrate the opening of its new store at City Creek Center.

The free give-a-way takes place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Gallivan Center, 239 S. Main St., Salt Lake City.

City Creek Center officially opens on Thursday, March 22 at...

Tyson John of Logan is one of 25 butchers from the western region who will compete in the Texas Roadhouse National Meat Cutting Challenge.

The event takes place Wednesday, March 21 at the Olympic Oval in West Valley City, with all cutting performed at a chilly 38 degrees.

Each participant receives 30 to 40 pounds of beef to cut, and meat cutters will be judged on quality, yield and speed in the timed “cut-off.” The winner is the butcher who yields the most steaks, with the highest quality cut in the least amount of time.

Adalberto Diaz Labrada, the executive chef and culinary instructor at Harmons Grocery store in downtown Salt Lake City, was named the Western Region’s “Pastry Chef of the Year” by the American Culinary Federation. He earned the award this past weekend at the ACF’s regional conference in Sparks, Nev.

During the timed competition, the Utah chef prepared a warm pineapple upside-down date pudding cake with coconut mascarpone mousse and pineapple/orange sorbet. Diaz Labrada will now compete for the national title and $5,000 at the ACF’s National Convention in Orlando, Fla., July 14-17.

For the first time in its history, The Lion House Pantry is serving breakfast. Specialties include sourdough pancakes made from a starter that dates back to early pioneers and creme brulee French toast made from the popular Lion House dinner rolls.

Breakfast is available weekdays from 7 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Regular lunch and dinner service continues as usual from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

“The pancakes are the same recipe that my family has used,” said Executive Chef David Bench, whose great-great-great-great grandmother, M...

Combine your love of food with a trip to either Italy or South Africa, by participating in one of these two new travel programs available in Salt Lake City.

Here are the details:

Italy • The University of Utah is offering a new “study abroad program for adults.” Travel to Rome and Umbria May 5-15 with Giuliana Marple, a U. faculty member and Italian expert. Prior to the trip, participants will attend pre-departure classes to learn about Italian history, cuisine, and to get to know travel companions. Pre-departure classes run April 5 –21. To register or for more ...

Two favorite dining spots in Salt Lake City — Moochie’s Meatballs and Bruge’s Waffles & Frites — will be opening new locations later this spring.

Joanna Rendi and Don MacDonald, owner of Moochie’s, recently signed a lease for the building at 7725 S. State, in Midvale They plan to spend the next few months remodeling before opening sometime in May.

And Pierre Van Damme, owner of Bruge’s (pictured here), also is working on his second store, renovating a building at 2314 S. Highland Dr. Van Damme said the new store will have the same menu as his downtown shop, 336 W. 300 South, but with a few additions. Tentativ...

It’s “Lucky 13” for Hell’s Backbone Grill in Boulder, Utah.

The restaurant will open for its 13th season on Friday, March 16, at 5 p.m. and will stay open seven days a week until Thanksgiving.

To make a reservation for dinner call 435-335-7464. To book a room at Boulder Mountain Lodge, call 435-335-7460)

A hotel restaurant, a downtown taco cart and a Sandy diner were shut down by the Salt Lake Valley Health Department last week for creating "imminent health hazards," according to these notices posted on the agency website.

On Tuesday, March 6, the restaurant inside the Ramada at The Salt Lake City airport, 5575 W. Amelia Earahart Dr., was closed after receiving 22 different health violations from inspectors. Among the most aggregious problems, according to the report, was a walk-in cooler that held food at too high a temperature; bowls used for food scoops and no soap at t...

Now you can have a cupcake and a pie, too, at Mini's bakery in Salt Lake City.

Get a free sample of the shops new line of small pies on Wednesday, March 14, which happens to be National Pie Day. (You'll have to think back to high school geometry and remember the Greek letter pi -- Π --- is equal to 3.14.)

Anyway, real pie samples will be available beginning at 8 a.m. at the downtown Mini's store, 14 E. 800 South in Salt Lake; and starting at 10 a.m. at the Sugarhouse store...

Set your alarm — or your tv recording device — for 7:30 a.m. so you can watch KUTV Channel 2's new Saturday morning show called "Cooking with Bryan."

The 30 minutes program airs at 7:30 a.m. and features the casual recipes and expert cooking techniques from Utah Chef Bryan Woolley.

Woolley has been a culinary TV host for many years working at FOX 13 and later KUTV. Besides the Saturday show, Woolley also hosts Channel 2's "What's for Dinner" segment at 4 p.m.

Learn more or see some of his past recipes at www.chefbryanwoolley.com

The Rico Market in Salt Lake City is on the move. The last day of operation in its current location, 779 S. 500 East, will be Saturday, March 10.

After that, owner Jorge Fierro will sell the Rico brand tamales, tortillas and other Mexican specialties at his warehouse operation, 545 W. 700 South, which also includes Frida Bistro.

A small section of the warehouse will be dedicated to the Rico products, said Fierro, who opened Rico in 1997. He said the plan is to build onto the warehouse in about six months and create a new and improved market.

Closing the 500 East location is "a little sad," he said Thursday morning, but "it will be easier to have everythin...

Ryan Lowder, chef/owner of The Copper Onion and Plum Alley restaurants, needs your vote.

The Salt Lake City native has been nominated for The People's Best New Chef award, sponsored by Food & Wine. Lowder is one of 10 chefs competing in the Southwest Region.

Cast your ballot at http://www.foodandwine.com/peoples-best-new-chef/southwest. Do it soon, voting ends Sunday, March 11.

The world already knows that Utah has some of the best mountains and snow for skiing. Well, we've also got three of the Top 10 ski-resort cafeterias.

According to skiingmag.com, The Snow Park Lodge at Deer Valley has the best cafeteria in the nation. Here's why:

"....for breakfast you can get made-to-order homemade cinnamon challah French toast drizzled with banana butter and Vermont maple syrup or a house-smoked salmon omelet. For lunch, try the house special enchiladas, made with roasted butternut squash, shiitake mushroom, anasazi beans and corn or chicken, cheese ...

The cakebites from The Sweet Tooth Fairy bakery in Utah will be the official “snack of the day” on the “Rachael Ray” show this Thursday, March 8.

The show, which airs at 10 a.m. on KSL Channel 5, also will include a short segment about bakery owner Meagan Faulkner-Brown.

The cakebites were featured on the Rachel Ray show in 2009. The publicity help launch the tiny bakery business, which today has nine Utah stores. Two more are expected to open in Arizona.

In case you haven’t tried a cake bites. They are...

On Saturday, March 3, Cheese Bread Mania will introduce two new flavors of Brazilian cheese bread to customers.

Owner Deborah Hammond is especially excited about the new Romeo and Juliet, which contains cojita cheese from Snowy Mountain Sheep’s Creamery in Eden and guava jam made by Butcher’s Bunches preserves in Logan.

The new offerings will be available from 10 a.m. to about 2 p.m. at Caputo’s Deli, 314 W. 300 South, Salt Lake City.

Guava and cheese are a traditional dessert pairing in Brazil and other South American countries, Hammond said...

There’s a new place to tempt your palate in Salt Lake City.

Pallet, a contemporary American-style bistro, opened Tuesday, Feb. 28, in the historic brick building at 237 S. 400 West, where Big City Pizza once resided. The menu includes casual classics including steaks, short ribs, scallops and meatballs. All items are priced under $30.

Executive chef is Zachary “Buzz” Willey.

The name pays homage to the history of the building, constructed in 1901. For many years it served as a loading dock for Salt Lake Valley’s first creamery. The interior desig...

National honors keep rolling in for Bowman Brown and Viet Pham, chef/owners of Forage.

On Wednesday, the Salt Lake City restaurant received the Diner's Choice Award for best service from Open Table Inc., a national online restaurant reservations service.

Forage is one of 100 restaurants from 29 states and the District of Columbia to receive the honor. These awards reflect the combined opinions of nearly 5 million reviews submitted by diners between February 2011 and January 2012.

Here's the full list in alphabetical order

Acqua Restaurant & Wine Bar – White Bear Lake, Minnesota
Acquer...

There are plenty of Leap Day sales for funiture, cars, and plastic surgery going on today in honor of Leap Day.

But for those who love gourmet food, the best deals will likely be found at Liberty Heights Fresh Market, 1290 S. 1100 East, Salt Lake City

Owner Steve Rosenburg is have a 60 percent off sale today only, clearing the shelves to make way for new gems. Not sure what's discounted but the shop carries many lovely imported vinegars, condiments, sauces, pastas, jams, honeys, nut butters and cookies that might be a steal.

The store is open until ...

Celiacs raise your glass!

In early March, Epic Brewing Co. in Salt Lake City will launch the Glutenator, a gluten-free beer made with millet, brown rice, sweet potato puree and molasses along with plenty of American hops.

Epic brewmaster Kevin Crompton said it took about four months of testing to come up with the final recipe, making the Glutenator the most difficult beer he has formulated.

"It was hard to make gluten-free substances taste like a normal beer," he said on Tuesday, noting that initial batches had a apple cider taste and reminiscent of a wine or sake.

"We tried to get away from the cider-y flav...

I just got back from lunch at Lucky 13 Bar and Grill in downtown Salt Lake City. My colleagues and I had delicious burgers — but a little too much garlic on the French Fries.

We also had a long wait. That's because James Pierce and Tim Pruss (see photo) ordered "Big Benny" burgers that stand about a foot high and are made with six patties (as well as house-smoked bacon, ham, cheese and sauted onions)

"They filled up the grill," said our apologetic waitress.

I was actually excited to see the burgers delivered to their table. But then, I wondered, how do you eat something so huge and not be comatose a few hours later?

"I'm always up for a challen...

I hope Drew Brunson likes coleslaw.

Brunson, a student at Cedar Ridge Elementary, in Cedar Hills, was recently named the state winner of the National Bonnie Plants Colossal Cabbage Contest . His giant cruciferous vegetable weighed 25.7 pounds and earned him a $1,000 education savings bond.

More than 1.5 million third graders in 48 states — 13,862 from Utah — participated in this free program, sponsored by Bonnie Plants, the largest producer of vegetable and herb plants in North America.

Since 2002, the company has sent free “oversized,” cabbage plants — the O.S. Cross variety — to third grade classrooms. When nurt...

Learn more about biodynamic wines during a special dinner on Friday, Feb. 24, at Faustina, 454 E. 300 South, Salt Lake City. It begins at 6:30 p.m. and costs $35 per person. Optional wine pairings are an additional $20.

Katrina Fetzer, from Ceago Biodynamic Wines, will talk about the self-sustaining vineyard in Clear Lake, Calif. Everything needed to sustain the farm comes from the property. There are animals to provide fertilizer; and orchards and other crops to help control insects. The method improves the soil and plants and ultimately grows better grapes for wine.

Faustina's Exe...

Five food carts were shut down earlier this week by the The Salt Lake Valley Health Department for creating “imminent health hazards.”

According to these notices on the agency's website, the violations ranged from lack of running water and improper hand washing procedures to holding food at incorrect temperatures and failing to use a proper commercial kitchen.

The carts in violation include 3 Brothers, Tacos Don Martin, Tacos Don Rafa, Chuvi Duvi and El Jaripeo. Here are the specifics on each cart:

Three chefs and a distillery from Utah have been named semifinalists for the 2012 James Beard Foundation Awards, the nation's most prestigious recognition program for professionals in the food and beverage industry.

Bowman Brown and Viet Pham, chef/owners of Forage restaurant in Salt Lake City, and John Murcko, chef at Talisker on Main, in Park City are among 21 semifinalist in the foundation's "Best Chef: Southwest" category.

The High West Distillery & Saloon, Park City, is one of 26 semifinalists in the "Outstanding Bar Program." This is a new category for 2012, which recognizes a restaurant or bar for excellence in cocktail, spirits, and/or beer service....

I'm a big fan of slow cookers, but I don't like a lot of the recipes I see for them. So many of them contain packaged and processed ingredients that may make a fast dinner, but not necessarily a healthy one.

Which is why I'm excited about the launch today of a new site called Slow Cooker from Scratch.

It is written by Utah cook/food blogger Kalyn Denny and is "dedicated to sharing recipes from Kalyn's Kitchen and other fantastic food blogs who use the slow cooker to make tasty "from-scratch" meals."

Denny, has already found a successful second career (she used to be an elementary school teacher) writing ...

Just a reminder to Utah restaurant owners, managers and wait staff: when The Salt Lake Tribune restaurant reviewers come to dine, you'll never know it. They won't tell you who they are and they'll definitely pay for their food and leave you a tip.

And, I guarantee they won't be rude and draw attention to themselves. (Even though it's a myth that films like Disney's "Ratatouille" likes to perpetuate)

I'm saying this because every few months imposters dine at Utah restaurants, claiming to work for The Tribune. Sometimes they demand free food, often times they are rude.

According to an email we received yesterday, it happened again on Feb....

On Wednesday, Feb. 15, Salt Lake City will introduce a one-of-a-kind digital tool that may encourage residents to grow more of their own food.

The Community Food Production Mapping Tool – the first of its kind in the nation – will allow residents to access a City map, click on their property and find out how much food they could grow.

The purpose of the mapping tool is to provide residents with an estimation of how much they could supplement the produce they buy with food grown in their gardens. The tool was developed by Salt Lake City GIS Coordinator Kevin Bell and University of Utah Department of City and Metropolitan Planning students.

Also on...

The new City Creek grocerty store opens at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 15, with 70,000 square feet of produce, meat and bakery departments. But the urban Harmons will also offer some more surprising features, such as a wok bar, salt display, and healthy check-out line. We list 17 here: http://bit.ly/AtZ0bl.

-- Kathy Stephenson

Several top-rated Italian wines — available only through special order in Utah — will be served Sunday, Feb. 12 at Lugano, 3364 S. 2300 East, Salt Lake City.

Michele Gianazza and Diego Bosoni with Cantine Lunae Bosoni, a winery in Liguria, are hosting the "couples dinner" along with Lugano chef/owner Greg Neville. The event begins at 6:30 p.m. and will features six courses, each one paired with one of the Lunae wines.

Neville, who met the winemakers during a recent trip to Italy, said their wines are made almost exclusively from grapes grown on the Lunae estate where...

Tom Call, who is the new chef for the Trio Restaurant Group, has been quietly working behind the scenes for several months.

But he hit my radar last week as one of the contestants in a local culinary competition called 'Chef War." He won the event by creatively using bacon in a salad; a basil pesto over salmon and with pork loin.

A graduate of the California Culinary Academy, Call interned in Italy and has worked the past 10 years in some of San Francisco’s top-rated restaurants including Campton Place, Aqua, One Market and Coi.

In his new position, the 29-year-old will divide his time between the Trio restaurants in Salt Lake City and Cot...

When Jean-Louis Montecot’s Park City restaurant closed a few months ago, I wondered where this outspoken French chef would land.

Looks like Jean-Louis has found his way into the Salt Lake valley where he is launching a new upscale French restaurant called Caterina.

It will be located in the old Sugarhouse Post Office at 2155 S. Highland Dr. Most recently, the building has been the Cucina Nassi banquet/special event hall.

To introduce diners to Caterina, Montecot is offering a five-course Valentine’s day dinner with live music and dancing on Tuesday, Feb....