Ryan Crafts
King of Coffee | Culinary Crafts
Ryan Crafts developed his family’s catering business into a premier culinary enterprise while pioneering an ethical approach to hospitality that extends far beyond exceptional food and service. Under his leadership, Culinary Crafts has earned an unprecedented 27 Best of State awards — 25 more than its nearest competitor — while establishing a new standard for employee care in an industry notorious for high turnover and minimal benefits.
Ryan has implemented an extraordinary benefits package that stands as an anomaly in the catering industry: full health insurance coverage, company-matched 401(k) plans, PTO, paid parental leave, generous wages (including a $15/hour minimum), educational scholarships, wellness programs and end-of-year bonuses. These initiatives reflect his conviction that genuine hospitality begins with how you treat your own people.
This people-first approach was tested during the pandemic when the catering industry faced catastrophic losses. While competitors closed their doors, Ryan made the counterintuitive decision to maintain his core team’s employment and benefits — absorbing significant financial losses to preserve the company’s human capital. His forward-looking strategy included reorganizing the company and promoting key employees to managerial positions, preparing Culinary Crafts to capitalize on the industry’s eventual recovery.
The results speak for themselves: In 2023, the company exceeded $10 million in annual revenue for the first time. In 2024, Culinary Crafts became the only catering company worldwide to win multiple CATIE awards from the International Caterers Association, securing both “Best Catered Wedding of the Year” and “Best Catered Event of the Year.”
Ryan’s commitment to people extends beyond business operations. His philanthropic support extends to numerous community organizations, including the Utah Food Bank, Utah Open Lands, the National Ability Center and Child’s Hope.
Through his unique blend of business acumen and ethical leadership, Ryan demonstrates that exceptional hospitality isn’t just about serving guests — it’s about creating a culture where every interaction, whether with clients, team members or the community, reflects a genuine commitment to bringing joy to others.
