Tuscany's executive chef, Adam Vickers, was a recipient of the annual's "Governor's Mansion Artist Award."
The Governor's Artist Series was established as a means to raise funds for the Governor's Mansion and to honor outstanding Utah visual, performing and culinary artists.
The criteria state that the culinary-arts winner should have been at the same establishment for at least two years, design the menu, use Utah products, create seasonal menus, contribute to the community and have obtained national recognition. Tuscany is located at 2832 E. 6200 South, Holladay, and is owned by Mark Eaton. (www.Tuscany-SLC.com ).
The Blue Boar Inn & Restaurant in Midway is celebrating its 10-year anniversary with a 10 percent discount on dining and overnight stays through November. Guests should mention the anniversary promotion at the time of billing.
Utah natives John and Marva Warnock purchased the property in 1999 and transformed it into an elegant European-style bed and breakfast chateau. Its 12 rooms are all themed after classic literary authors. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are offered daily (888-650-1400 or www.TheBlueBoarInn.com).
Winder Farms was awarded honors at the recent World Dairy Expo in Madison, Wis. Winder received a medal for the most outstanding low-fat chocolate milk in the western United States, and second best in the world. The company's buttermilk was also deemed most outstanding in the western U. S. and second-best in the world (www.winderfarms.com).
Utah Kernels, 569 N. 1200 West, Orem, is offering $2 off the purchase of tall bags, gift boxes or tins through Oct. 30. If you mention seeing this article, you can also get a free mini bag of popcorn with purchase. (801-224-1081 or www.UtahKernels.com).
The Confluence Literary Festival in Moab is celebrating eating and writing, and local food sustainability. Themed "Eat the West," the event takes place through Oct. 25 and includes intensive writing workshops with Slow Food Inc. authors, local food-tasting events, a farmers market and Mountain Film Festival's films about food. Guests authors from the Slow Food Movement include Gary Paul Nabhan, Deborah Madison, Susan J. Tweit, Ann Vileisis, David Masumoto and Jack Loeffler.
The festival will take place in various venues around Moab. Ticket prices vary from free to $10. Writing workshops are $75-$475 (www.moabconfluence.org).
e-mail: vphillips@desnews.com