“I’m just a girl from Utah who wanted to offer something delicious to the community - something I didn’t feel like we had, especially at the time.”  In the heart of Salt Lake City’s Maven District, Passion Flour Patisserie stands as a beacon of culinary innovation, offering a unique blend of artistry and sustainability. Opened by Jessica Davies in 2015, this vegan pastry shop was born from a passion for exquisite desserts and a deep commitment to ethical and environmentally friendly practice.

“Sugar runs in my veins,” Felicia (Fee) Hanson said with a smile, as she looked around the warm, whimsical space she has built. “I just love making people happy - with candy, with food, with community.” Sweet Hazel, Fee’s vegan bakery, market, and café, is tucked into a cozy strip that includes Leavity Bread and Star of India. Named after her beloved cat, Hazel, Fee said that “She was my soul cat. When I started this adventure, I didn’t know what to name it, and my sister-in-law said, ‘What about Sweet Hazel?’ It just felt right.”

“The address was 666 South State Street. I said, ‘Let’s go first thing in the morning.’ That’s too good to pass up.” When Andrew Earley stumbled upon the now-iconic location of Mark of the Beastro, it was the address that first grabbed him. The tongue-in-cheek name followed soon after, a nod to the playful spirit he wanted to cultivate - one part punk rock, one part art haven. What began as a full-service vegan restaurant in 2019 has since transformed into a cozy and welcoming café - one that shares its walls, and soul, with a vibrant performance venue known as The Beehive.

“My grandma Rosa made everything with love. Watching her cook was like watching someone do magic with their hands - and it stuck with me.” Chris Blatchford, owner of Blatch’s BBQ, might not have realized it at the time, but those early years in San Diego watching his grandmother create Mexican dishes from scratch left a lasting impression.

“It has been a twenty-six-year revolution of veganism. I have seen it through my eyes in my own business.” Ian Brandt reflected on his journey from operating a food cart to owning one of Salt Lake City’s beloved vegan establishments, Vertical Diner. Ian’s love for culinary gems was nurtured by his parents who favored lesser-known restaurants.