“If you can envision it, we’ll make it happen.” Deb Holbrook smiled as she said this, and she meant it. Since 2022, she and her husband Chris have been the proud owners of the Salt Lake Institute of Culinary Education (SLICE), a thriving, hands-on culinary school and event space that has become a haven for aspiring chefs, curious home cooks, and anyone who simply wants to share a great meal and learn something new in the process.

“The two things that bring people together, no matter who they are, are sports and food. And that’s what we built this place on.” Frank and Jovanna Henry, owners of Creole & Sliders Cafe, did not move to Salt Lake City with the intention of opening a restaurant. They came to retire.

“If you walk in and we say hello, and you leave with nothing, that’s still enough for us. That’s the culture we’ve built here.” Zallzo may be a made-up name, but the business behind it is as real and rooted as they come.

“There is a difference between eating and dining,” said Marco Stevanoni. “Dining is an art that is being lost, but it is an experience that brings people together.” This philosophy is at the heart of VENETO, the Italian restaurant he and his wife, Amy, opened in 2016 in Salt Lake City. Born out of a desire to create the kind of culinary journey they longed for but could not find locally, VENETO is more than just a restaurant; it is a deeply personal expression of their shared passions, backgrounds, and values.

“I have been doing this since I was eighteen. I am sixty now. We just keep going because we love it, and because this is our fate.” Anna Tran, owner of Oh Mai, never set out to become a restaurateur, but food has always been central to her family’s story.

“Books are the repositories of human hopes and dreams and learning," proclaimed Tony Weller, owner of Weller Book Works. Walking into this shop is like stepping into a world of literary discovery. With its vast collection of new, used, and rare books, the store is an oasis for book lovers, a place where stories of the past and present converge. But behind the shelves lined with countless volumes, the story of Weller Book Works is itself an epic one, spanning multiple generations.

“We’ve carved out a little niche. It’s not flashy. But it’s ours. And there’s meaning in that.” Phil Sherburne, owner of Signed & Numbered, grew up building things. Raised in the Salt Lake City suburbs when they were still open fields and construction sites, he remembers gathering leftover scraps and hammering them into forts, boxes, and chairs. “I think I was five when I made a little chair for my sisters,” he said. “Building just became a part of who I am.” That instinct, passed down through generations - his family came to Utah to work the railroads around the turn of the last century - has guided Phil’s entire life.

“I get here at two in the morning, start baking, and by five, there’s already a line. But every day, I feel grateful. I see the same smiling faces, and they make me smile, too.” Brenda Le’s joy behind the counter at Fresh Donuts & Deli is unmistakable.

“We want to be a positive influence on people. We are open to sharing our story with all kinds of groups because if someone is stuck, maybe it will inspire them to change. That is what we live for now,” shared Robyn, co-owner of an unusually named motorcycle shop; the name came to Robyn one day and she simply blurted it out, “Sims Motorcycle Monkeys.” It was “unique, quirky and cute,” Matthew admitted, as she used to jokingly call her husband and their dog “my little monkeys.” But the moment she said it aloud, Matthew looked at her and nodded. That was it. After six months of thinking through name after name, they had landed on the one that felt right.

“We’re named after Kings Peak - the tallest mountain in Utah. It’s a fitting name because this journey has been all about reaching new heights.” Garland Ledbetter leans back, reflecting on the growth of Kings Peak Coffee Roasters. From opening their first shop in 2018 to a second location opened at the end of 2024, Kings Peak has become a beloved part of Salt Lake City’s coffee scene.

"My entire family is all about food. It's what our family revolves around." Manoli Katsanevas, owner of the eponymous Manoli’s as well as the less formal Paréa, was born and raised in the world of food. When he turned eighteen, he knew that he wanted to pursue a career in this field. Today, he has woven his Greek heritage into the culinary fabric of Salt Lake City, creating dining experiences that celebrate family, tradition, and exceptional cuisine.

“When we took over in January 2020, it was a bit of a risk,” Kara Leigh admits. “But almost five years in, we’re still excited to wake up every day and do what we do. This is a unique, magical life, and we’re grateful to be able to share it with our guests.”

“Our goal was to create something where we would want to work together,” Chris and Tricia Malstrom, the dynamic duo behind Malstrom Salon, stated. There is no doubt that they have succeeded in creating a haven for their clients, blending artistry and dedication. Their journey together began as teenagers when they met on the back steps of Jordan High School in the late 1980s. Their bond, forged in those early years, has only grown stronger over the decades, both personally and professionally.