Utah’s food scene doesn’t slow down in late summer. From creative dinners to community gatherings, this month brings plenty of reasons to eat well, get out, and support local.
WasteLess Solutions’ Second Chance Dance
If you’re interested in great food and drink and want to help reduce food waste in our community, consider attending WasteLess Solutions’ Second Chance Dance on Monday, August 23, 2025 from 6 to 9 pm.
The folks at WasteLess Solutions encourage you to “Mark your calendars! You’re invited to our fourth annual Second Chance Dance, a vibrant celebration of community, sustainability, and the delicious possibilities of upcycled food! Join us for an unforgettable evening in the stunning Grandview Room at Millcreek Common, where six talented local chefs will be serving up creative small bites made entirely from rescued ingredients. This is a foodie event you cannot miss out on! Get ready to sip on wine and beer, groove to a live DJ spinning feel-good tunes, and browse our exciting silent auction featuring sustainable experiences and locally sourced treasures. More than just a party, the Second Chance Dance is a movement to reduce food waste and support vital WasteLess programs in our community. Come dressed in your favorite attire – or better yet, rock a vintage, thrifted, or well-loved outfit – and let’s dance, dine, and make a difference together!”
The 2025 chef lineup includes Brighton Resort’s Jeffrey Sanich, JV Hernandez from Bambara, Manoli Katsaneva of Manoli’s, Franklin Ave. Cocktails & Kitchen’s Matt Crandall, Milo Carrier of Arlo, and Riverhorse on Main’s Shirley Bordas.
For tickets, visit the WasteLess Solutions website and click on the Events tab.
Summer-Fall Food Notes from Brighton
Brighton Resort Executive Chef Jeffrey Sanich reached out to me enthusiastically with some fun and tasty new food and drink events going on at the Resort this summer and fall.
For starters, they cook pancakes outside every Saturday and Sunday during summer at Milly Chalet, while they also host the Big Cottonwood Canyon Flea Market on Sundays. “We serve breakfast and lunch right there under tents with 3 Blackstone Griddles. It is SO much fun,” says Sanich.
Pitmaster Dan heads up a Campfire Cookout on Fridays and Saturdays at Milly Chalet, a chef-led outdoor dinner by the fire with artisan meats, Idaho trout, fireside potatoes and homemade desserts ($109/adults; $79/youth or vegetarian guests). Purveyors include Mary’s Chicken, Niman Ranch, Snake River Farms, and Wasatch Meats.
One Thursday each month, Brighton hosts cooking classes priced at $79 pp. Upcoming classes include Pizza Masterclass (Aug. 14), Pasta From Rome (Sept. 18) and Fall Harvest Flavors (Oct. 16).
And, breakfast and lunch is served at the Blind Miner Coffee Shop with menu items like Great Western Griddled Johnnycakes, Doyle’s All-American Breakfast, grilled ratatouille, Niman Ranch All-American Dawg, Kim’s Classic Polish Dawg, Zach’s Niman Ranch Chicago Dawg, Niman Ranch brats, a smashburger, and more.
On Fridays and Saturdays in October Brighton features Murder on the Mountain at the Wasatch Mountain Lodge, a night of interactive mystery, performance, and a four-course feast in an alpine lodge ($105 per guest for dinner & show).
New Bambara Menu
Fresh from the kitchen, Bambara chef JV Hernandez has launched his latest new menus, “inspired by the season and grounded in what’s local.”
New menu items includes Croissant French Toast, Birria Grilled Cheese Sandwich and Pastrami Salmon Toast on the brunch menu and for dinner, new dishes include Utah Ranch Ribeye with aged koji black garlic, Bison Manhattan Steak with truffle bordelaise, and Scallops with corn cream, blistered peas, and marcona almonds.
