As the month comes to a close, the culinary landscape in Salt Lake City is buzzing with news, updates, and exciting developments across various establishments.
Chef transitions are notably shaping the dining scene.
Logen Crew has made his way back to Current Fish & Oyster, where he will take on the role of Executive Chef.
Having originally crafted the restaurant’s menu in 2015, Crew brings a wealth of experience from kitchen powerhouses in the area, including Fresco Italian Café, Log Haven, and Trio Restaurant Group.
The restaurant expressed excitement over his return, highlighting his exceptional talent and dedication to the culinary arts.
In a similar vein, downtown Salt Lake City welcomes Joey Ferran as the new chef at the newly opened Repeal.
Ferran is well known from his time at Cucina in the Avenues, where he garnered a loyal following for his flavorful offerings.
It’s clear that his reputation is set to add much value to the dining experience at Repeal.
Meanwhile, at Spencer’s For Steaks & Chops, Jon DuBois has transitioned from his former position at Pago.
Officially joining the team on January 27th, DuBois is eager to utilize his extensive experience and his Court of Master Sommelier Certification to elevate the already notable menu at Spencer’s.
He shared his passion for cooking that began with culinary school and flourished under mentor Chef Shawn McClain in Chicago, where he gained invaluable expertise at Michelin Award-winning restaurants.
Additionally, Chef Justin Field, the creative force behind the launch menu at Bewilder Brewing, has taken on a new challenge at Eaglewood Golf Course in North Salt Lake City.
While golf course dining is typically expected to be standard fare, Field assures patrons that his approach focuses on from-scratch offerings intended to surprise and delight.
In a notable milestone, Bitters Lab celebrates its 10th anniversary.
Starting from humble beginnings in 2015, the company has grown significantly, now boasting nearly 20 flavors and various national distribution channels alongside exciting new offerings like the anniversary flavor, Decade Orange.
They have successfully launched a subscription box service—Bitters Lab Club™—and offer cocktail courses both online and in-person.
The team expressed gratitude for a decade of support and excitement for what lies ahead in the future.
In another exciting update, the popular South Asian restaurant, Himalayan Kitchen, has announced plans to expand its footprint with the help of a $350,000 Economic Development Loan Fund loan.
Set in downtown Salt Lake City for almost two decades, the new location will be established in the Ballpark neighborhood, specifically in the historic Enging Block building.
Switching gears to a delightful confection, Caputo’s Market & Deli has launched the Caputo’s Wild Criollo Chocolate Bar, the finale of their Wild Chocolate trilogy collection.
This unique chocolate is crafted from the rare wild Criollo cacao, which has recently been rediscovered in Belize, thanks to collaboration with the Belize Foundation for Research & Environmental Education and the renowned Chocolate Naive.
Highlighting a commitment to sustainability, all revenue from this chocolate bar goes back into preserving the environment and cultural heritage associated with this exceptional cacao.
The final exciting news comes from Dendric Estate, which is preparing for the launch of sparkling cider next month.
Conducting bench trials as a crucial step in their production, the estate is fine-tuning its inaugural blend, aiming for a bright and crisp profile with natural carbonation achieved through the Charmat method.
They are targeting a launch of their first ciders in Utah in June 2025.
In a different sector, Mountain West Commercial Real Estate (MWCRE) has reported a sharp rise in retail store closures in 2024.
This trend indicates a significant shift in brand strategies towards focusing on e-commerce and more profitable operations.
While closures have increased by 32.7% from the previous year, the vacancy rate in the Intermountain West has remarkably remained stable.
This information underscores the evolving retail landscape, as businesses adapt to changing consumer behavior and priorities.
With such a dynamic culinary and retail environment in Salt Lake City, there’s much to keep an eye on as we move into the upcoming months.
image source from：https://gastronomicslc.com/2025/05/26/a-quartet-of-noted-slc-chefs-making-their-move/
