Salt Lake Culinary Education Wins ‘Best Culinary School In Utah 2025’ Award From Salt Lake City Weekly

There is something incredibly special about being recognized by your own neighbors. While professional credentials matter (and we work hard for them) nothing compares to knowing that the community we love has chosen us as their favorite place to learn, cook, and gather.

We are excited to announce that Salt Lake Culinary Education (SLICE) has been named the “Best Culinary School in Utah” in the City Weekly 36th Annual Best of Utah Awards.

This isn’t just a win for our chefs; it is a win for every student who has walked through our doors, whether you came to launch a professional career or just to learn how to chop an onion without crying.

The People’s Choice: Why This Award Matters

If you are new to the local scene, the City Weekly Best of Utah Awards are the gold standard for local recognition. This isn’t an award you buy; it is an award earned through the voices of the community.

For the 36th year, the publication asked residents and readers to cast votes for their favorite local establishments across over 400 categories. From the best burger to the best mechanic, it serves as a comprehensive guide to the best of local culture. The voting process is rigorous, often involving multiple stages of nominations and final voting.

To be chosen as the #1 Best Culinary School in Utah is a humbling reminder that our philosophy of “edutainment” is resonating with you.

A Shared Vision

When we, Chris and Deb Holbrook, acquired SLICE in the Spring of 2022, we knew we were taking on a legacy. Chris, having spent a lifetime in the food industry and even attending SLICE as a student to “fill in the knowledge gaps,” understood the magic of this kitchen firsthand.

Our goal was never to be just a rigid instructional facility. We wanted to be the “knowledgeable friend” who went to culinary school, an approachable expert who invites you into the kitchen rather than intimidating you out of it.

We wanted to get people back around the dinner table for civil conversations and community building; brining people together with good food.

Winning this award validates that vision. It tells us that Salt Lake City values connection just as much as it values cuisine.

More Than Just Cooking Classes

We believe this award highlights the unique position SLICE holds in Utah. We are one of the few places where an aspiring chef can earn an American Culinary Federation (ACF) recognized certificate in our 12-week professional program, while in the next room, a group of friends is laughing over a “Marvelous Mediterranean” recreational class.

We take pride in our “Test Kitchen mindset”—acknowledging that cooking can be tough, mistakes happen, and the goal is progress, not perfection. Whether we are hosting a private corporate event where the boss wears an apron, or teaching a teenager knife skills in our Junior Chef program, we are dedicated to the idea that the kitchen belongs to everyone.

Come Celebrate With Us

If you voted for us, thank you. You are the reason we fire up the ovens every morning.

If you haven’t visited us yet, we invite you to come see what the “Best of Utah” excitement is all about. Whether you are looking to master a beef tenderloin or just want a fun night out where we handle the cleanup, there is a seat waiting for you at the counter.

Let’s get cooking!