Julia Rivera
Mukja
Julia Rivera runs her family food truck, Mukja, with her son James and daughter Kayla. (You will occasionally see Julia’s husband Victor taking orders when he is off work from his 9-5.) Mukja means “Let’s Eat” in Korean, and that’s what their family does: share their twists on Korean fusion cuisine, where Julia takes traditional […]
Kona Grill
The Ritz-Carlton, Denver
STK Steakhouse
Manny Barella
Camp Pickle +
Top Chef alum
Born in Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico, Manuel (Manny) Barella took a leap to leave law school and enroll in a culinary program to pursue his true passion. His natural talent and drive led him on a journey that landed him in kitchens including the luxury Sea Island Resort in Georgia; five-star Napa Valley resort Calistoga […]
Byron Gomez
Brutø +
Top Chef alum
Born in Costa Rica, Chef Byron Gomez migrated to the United States when he was eight years old and is a proud DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) recipient. His interest in culinary arts started at a young age and after several years cooking on Long Island, he set his sights on New York City. […]
Bonefish Grill
Hosea Rosenberg
Blackbelly +
Top Chef alum
Hosea Rosenberg is the owner and executive chef of Blackbelly and Santo restaurants in Boulder. His menus highlight local, seasonal ingredients with an emphasis on responsible and sustainable sourcing. Hosea’s culinary path began while earning a degree in Engineering Physics at the University of Colorado. Cooking in restaurants began as a means to pay for […]
Alexander Lopez
Bistro Mariposa
Alexander Lopez was raised in a challenging neighborhood in Southeast Los Angeles, California. Despite the presence of gang activity around him, he was motivated from a young age to avoid that lifestyle and instead pursue his passion for cooking. As a young person, Alexander’s grandmother recognized his love for the culinary arts and taught him […]
Josh Niernberg
Bin707 Foodbar
Josh Niernberg is a fourth-generation Colorado native, chef, snowboarder, and restaurateur. He and his wife/partner Jodi are the owners and operators of Bin 707 Foodbar, Jojo’s Dinette, and Tacoparty in Grand Junction. With his restaurants, Josh’s mission has been to explore, promote, and create regional cuisine unique to the Southwestern United States, Colorado as a […]
