Name: 2026 Utah Book Awards
Start: 2026-10-03
End: 2026-10-03

My wine career started at a hot dog stand. I worked the grill during the humid summers in Western New York rolling dogs over charcoal. I greeted customers as they arrived, shouting, “Whatcha want? Whatcha got?”— and the banter between the ‘grill man’ and customers began. I traded the grill in for fine dining when I moved to Salt Lake City. I loved the fast-paced environment on the floors of Utah’s top-rated restaurants, and made the decision to continue my training. I found I was especially motivated by the power of wine to enhance the dining experience for both the guests and myself. This passion has been greatly enhanced by my decision to become a certified Sommelier, and then an Educator with an internationally recognized program. I am pleased to take the enthusiasm that has its roots ‘behind the grill’ to the floor of bustling restaurants. As a Sommelier, I seek out epic experiences with food and wine for guests, and as the Founder and Educator of the Wine Academy of Utah, I introduce the intricacies of wine to enthusiasts and professionals alike in a fun environment. My banter of “How many dogs?” has transformed into “How about little ‘splishy splash’ to get you started tonight?”

[Schedule a Corporate or On-Site Tasting Event](https://www.wineacademyofutah.com/inhome-events)

[Certification Classes](https://www.wineacademyofutah.com/classes)

[Listen to Podcasts](https://x96.com/life/have-another-drink/)

[Whiskey & History Tour](https://www.airbnb.com/experiences/280900)

Wine Academy of Utah

Repeal is a downtown Salt Lake City restaurant, cocktail bar, and live jazz speakeasy beneath the historic Walker Center. Enjoy lunch Tuesday through Friday from 11:30 AM to 2:00 PM, then return for dinner, craft cocktails, rare whiskey, and live jazz in an intimate setting unlike anywhere else downtown.

Whether you're joining us for a business lunch, date night, cocktails at the bar, or an evening of live music, Repeal offers a distinctive experience built around hospitality, atmosphere, and thoughtfully prepared food.

[View Lunch Menu](https://www.repealutah.com/lunch)

[View Dinner Menu](https://www.repealutah.com/dinner-menu)

Live jazz anchors the experience with multiple sets throughout the evening, Tuesday through Saturday beginning at 6 PM.

[View Live Jazz Schedule](https://www.repealutah.com/jazz-bar-salt-lake-city)

Repeal

In the search for a masterfully prepared dining experience? Look no further than your Salt Lake City, Utah Capital Grille. Located near the Salt Palace Convention Center between Main St. and State St., we promise to deliver delicious dry-aged steaks and entrees made with the highest quality ingredients. We feature over 350 new and old world wines curated by our Sommelier and classic cocktails with our own twist. Make a reservation at our restaurant on 40 East 100 South today where an unforgettable experience awaits you.

The Capital Grille

The Janet Quinney Lawson Capitol Theatre has been at the center of the Salt Lake arts community since 1913. Its rich architectural features and more than 100 years of exceptional theater, dance, opera, music, vaudeville and film performances have made the Capitol Theatre a treasured historic landmark. With recent renovations including improved seating, a remodeled lobby, and a newly installed orchestra pit, the Capitol Theatre building is now joined with the Jessie Eccles Quinney Ballet Centre. [Upcoming Events at Capitol Theatre](https://artsaltlake.org/events/capitol-theatre/)

Capitol Theatre

New Trailhead on the Southwest Canyon Trails Network - over 2,500 acres in Rose, Yellow Fork and Butterfield Canyons. This regional park is 17 acres made possible by a lease agreement between Salt Lake County and Rio Tinto Kennecott. There are 16 miles of multi-use trails for hikers, equestrians, trail runners, and mountain bikers. Use of Butterfield Trailhead Regional Park is specific to trails only and can accommodate adaptive bikes. Motorized vehicles are prohibited. Trailhead and park are scheduled for completion in Fall 2023.

Butterfield Trailhead Regional Park

Since 1995 Christopher's Prime has been providing the finest USDA and Wagyu beef, the freshest seafood, and authentic, friendly service. Sonoma Wine Bar + Grill was introduced in 2018 as a complement to our wonderful steak house. Sonoma is more casual and pays homage to a melting pot of flavors that can be found throughout the iconic Northern California Wine Country. Both restaurants can be found in a uniquely upscale industrial space located adjacent to the Historic Peery Hotel.

Christopher's Prime + Sonoma Wine Bar & Grill

STRADA is now open 77 West 200 South, Suite 100 Salt Lake City, UT 84101

STRADA

You'll find German meats and cheeses, imported gourmet food items, magazines, and delicious prepared foods. Homemade bratwurst, wiener schnitzel, sauerkraut, and spaetzle with rich brown gravy.

Siegfried's Delicatessen, Inc.

Drink Good, Do Good!

Alpha Coffee is locally owned and operated. We offer delicious craft coffee, single origin cocoa, organic teas/chai/matcha drinks, plant based energy drinks, and a variety of freshly baked local pastries, breakfast burritos, croissant sandwiches, overnight oats, yogurt parfaits, and more. We also offer a variety of lunch items including grab and go salads, chicken and tofu protein bowls, a variety of wraps, and more.

We are committed to giving back through our Grounds for Good program as well. We donate a minimum of 10% of profits to organizations improving the quality of life in Utah and beyond. As a woman and veteran co-owned business, we support causes helping veterans and women focused causes. We have donated over $150K and sent over 24k bags of coffee to deployed troops to date.

We offer a 10% discount to those serving our community - veterans, first responders, educators and nurses.

We pride ourselves on the smooth premium quality of our coffee, our balanced drink recipes, our wide offering of other local business products, our team members positive smiles and service, our high Google and Yelp reviews and our give back program.

Please come taste the Alpha Difference!

Alpha Coffee Downtown

Established 1965, representing regional art in traditional to contemporary styles, in all media. For a taste of local culture a visit to this downtown gallery is a great way to spend an afternoon. 3 floors of exhibit space & a good selection of restaurants near by make this a destination.

Phillips Gallery

Visit Salt Lake

Salt Lake is the place where the Wasatch mountain peaks frame city streets. Sure, Salt Lake's famed for our winter powder ([four legendary ski resorts](https://www.visitsaltlake.com/things-to-do/skiing-snowboarding/) just 30 minutes from downtown), but that's just one season's story. Summer brings families [hiking through wildflower meadows](https://www.visitsaltlake.com/things-to-do/outdoor-recreation/) before cooling off at a Jazz game or the Gateway fountains. Autumn paints our mountain canyons in gold, perfect for morning strolls that end at local coffee shops. Spring? That's when you might spot baby bison on Antelope Island before heading to the Eccles Theater for a Broadway show. Our soaring Wasatch Mountains rise dramatically from downtown Salt Lake, creating a place where every day offers both natural wonders and urban energy. And while we sit perfectly between the [national parks](https://www.visitsaltlake.com/things-to-do/outdoor-recreation/state-national-parks/) with Yellowstone's geysers and Utah's red rock country, the real magic happens right here, where everyone can [discover the history](https://www.visitsaltlake.com/plan-your-visit/about-salt-lake/) of the city as they find their own rhythm between mountain adventure and city life.

Sports Salt Lake

The Utah Book Awards honor works of outstanding literary merit by Utah authors. Awards are given based on the strength of the publication’s literary merit, lasting importance, and overall quality. The program seeks to recognize exceptional writing that makes a meaningful contribution to Utah’s literary culture.The Utah Book Awards are a project of The Utah Center for the Book at Utah Humanities (an affiliate of The Library of Congress Center) and The League of Utah Writers.This calendar listing is brought to you by NowPlayingUtah.com, Utah's one-stop, online website for arts and entertainment events, powered by the Utah Cultural Alliance.

2026 Utah Book Awards

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