Colorado Restaurant Foundation and Its Impact on the Community
As a pillar of the Colorado community, the Colorado Restaurant Association (CRA) takes pride in supporting initiatives that strengthen our local fabric. One such initiative is the Colorado Restaurant Foundation (CRF), an organization dedicated to enhancing the restaurant industry’s training, education, career development, and overall well-being.
The Colorado Restaurant Foundation Apprentice Program: A Pathway to Culinary Excellence
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCkfXWSDldA&t=1s Introduction The Colorado Restaurant Foundation (CRF) has been a pivotal part of Colorado’s dynamic culinary scene, providing programming and resources to help restaurant workers advance and thrive. Through its innovative Apprentice Program, the CRF is nurturing the next generation of culinary talent while enriching Denver’s dining experiences. Dive into the details of this program, […]
Yoon Terry
Wild Taco
Wild Taco is a culinary-driven concept that originated from a professional friendship between the COO, Yoon Terry and the CEO, Rico Aragon years ago in Vail, when the two worked together at various Vail restaurants. The friends’ culinary paths would cross again in 2022 when they realized they shared a vision to bring a unique […]
Natalie Thiede
Teachers’ Lounge Food + Drink
As Executive Chef at The Slate Denver, Natalie Thiede oversees all food and beverage operations for the 251-room hotel, located inside the historic Emily Griffith Opportunity School in downtown Denver, including the on-site restaurant – Teachers’ Lounge Food + Drink – and the banquet and catering space. Natalie found her interest in food at a […]
Dave Hadley
Samosa Shop
A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, chef Dave Hadley draws inspiration from the Southern Indian and global fare grew up eating. Hadley has worked at Bangkok’s two- Michelin star GAGGAN, noted as the best restaurant in Asia and the fourth best in the world in the 2019 list of the World’s 50 Best […]
Tajahi Cooke
Ms. Betty’s Cooking
After years of touring and traveling the world, Tajahi Cooke moved to Denver and started cooking; he spent time on the line at Mesa Verde, The Kitchen, and Next Door American Eatery, building technique and learning the importance of details. He continued to work his way through the Denver casual-dining industry, becoming a lead cook […]
Kenneth Wan
MAKfam
Helmed by the husband-and-wife team Chef Kenneth Wan and Doris Yuen that brought us META Asian Kitchen, MAKfam, represents America’s new Asian culinary movement that is reimagining tradition- and family-inspired Chinese recipes through a modern lens. Whether it’s Hong Kong-Style French Toast, hand-made dumplings inspired by visits to Chinatown in NYC, or stir fry dishes […]
Aminata Dia
Le French
Chef Aminata Dia was born in Senegal, before moving to France at a young age. Growing up just outside of Paris, she discovered a passion for food when she was quite young. She moved to the United States 24 years ago and has been in Denver for 21 years. Once in Colorado, Aminata followed her […]
Christina Richardson
Chile Con Quesadilla
2025 FOOD TRUCK JUDGE
Mother. Wife. Chef. Business Woman. Entrepreneur. Christina has been in the food service industry for nearly 20 years and is known for creative menu ideas and recipes, large-scale catering, and specialty Mexican/American fusion dishes. In each position that she held, she was always striving for more, and after a 15-year career, she took a leap […]
Frank Bonanno
Mizuna
Frank Bonanno is the chef and proprietor of Bonanno Concepts, a Denver-based restaurant group behind some of Colorado’s most celebrated dining destinations. Over 20+ years, he’s launched flagship Mizuna, Italian favorite Luca d’Italia, Salita, Osteria Marco, Vesper Lounge with the country’s largest tap cocktail program, and most recently Dumplin’. A graduate of both the University […]
