Utah chef Pham kicked off 'Food Network Star'

Viet Pham was booted off the reality-competition show "Food Network Star" on Sunday night. Blame the missing peppers.

Pham, co-owner of Forage restaurant in Salt Lake City, was one of 12 contestants on the ninth season of the show.

On episode 5, the remaining eight contestants were tested on their ability to cook live. In the first challenge, they made a sausage-and-pepper sandwich within a couple minutes as if they were on live TV — but with surprises, like a fire alarm or the lights going out. For Pham, the pan of peppers disappeared. He eventually shrugged it off and suggested making a salad. But not before asking several times, "Where are the peppers?"

After the second challenge — making parts of a 4th of July picnic live — the judges praised Pham for his charm and great cooking, but said he loses confidence when the cameras roll.

He has a chance to make it back on the show by winning a web series called "Star Salvation."

Pham was gracious in losing. He tweeted, "Those damn phantom peppers — they're here one moment and gone the next!" and "I had the time of life on @FoodNetwork Star. I learned so much and made friends for a life time. It was my destiny and I'm content with that."

While he no longer cooks at Forage, he will be opening his own restaurant in Park City this summer, Fire and Water.

Copper Onion among 100 best for wine

The Copper Onion restaurant in Salt Lake City was named one of America's 100 Best Wine Restaurants for 2013 by Wine Enthusiast magazine.

The restaurant, at 111 E. 300 South in downtown Salt Lake City, was the only Utah restaurant to make the list.

The magazine said the restaurant's destination bottles were Orin Swift 2009 D66 Grenache, David Phinney 2011 E-1 Red, and Sea Smoke 2010 Ten Pinot Noir.

In the accompanying write-up, the restaurant owners said "wine drives the food by offering versatility to the guest with more than 18 wines available by the glass and quartino to pair with regional American fare."

The Copper Onion restaurant has just launched its "summer of Rosés," offering a selection of Rosé wines through Labor Day to complement the seasonal cuisine and celebrate the freshness of summer.

The wine is available by the glass, quartino or bottle, with prices by the glass ranging from $8 to $11 and for the bottle from $38 to $56. One type, 2011 Mouton Noir Love Drunk from Willamette Valley in Oregon, is only served at The Copper Onion.

The Copper Onion is open Monday-Saturday, 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. for lunch; Sunday-Thursday, 5-10 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 5-11 p.m.; and Sunday brunch, 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m.

Fourth of July brunch

Oasis Cafe, 151 S. 500 East, Salt Lake City, will be open for an Independence Day brunch, Thursday, July 4, from 8 a.m.-3 p.m.

The standard menu will be available, including eggs Benedict Florentine, German buttermilk pancakes and a breakfast burrito.

Reservations are suggested; call 801-322-0404.

Food & Wine Classic coming to Park City

The 9th annual Park City Food & Wine Classic will be held Wednesday, July 10, to Sunday, July 14, at various locations in Park City.

The festival offers classes and tastings on the mountain — think mountain bike rides and hikes followed by food and drink — and in restaurants and classrooms around town.

Prices range from $55 to $175. Go to http://www.parkcityfoodandwineclassic.com/ for a schedule of events and to purchase tickets.

Learn art of grilling

Get ready to take on the summer weekends with new grilling recipes. Prepare food in the cooking school and grill it outside with the class.

When • Saturday, July 5, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Where • Harmons Station Park, 200 N. Station Parkway, Farmington

Cost • $35.

Register • http://www.harmonsgrocery.com/cooking-school/

Taste of Cache County

Visit Rockhill Creamery, Crumb Brothers and Slide Ridge Honey in this University of Utah Lifelong Learning class.

When • Saturday, July 13, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Cost • $74.

Register • http://continue.utah.edu/lifelong/class/llfw_456_a_taste_of_utah_cache_county

It'Sugar opening in Utah

A 2,000-square-foot candy shop, featuring over 1,000 goodies, opened at Station Park in Farmington.

It'Sugar offers candy from every variety — chocolate, gummy, sour — along with fashion, beauty and novelty items. The chain has 70 retail locations nationwide, but this is the first in Utah.

Where • Station Park, 42 N. 650 West, Suite B100, Farmington, 801-451-4871

Open • Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sunday, noon-6 p.m.

hmay@sltrib.com