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 […]
Camille Shoemaker
Lady in the Wild
Professionally, Camille Shoemaker’s culinary journey began at Johnson & Wales University in Denver, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Baking and Pastry Arts and Food Service Management in 2012. After graduation, Camille moved to New York City, where, in 2016, she earned an M.A. in Food Studies at NYU Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, […]
Jarod “Roilty” Farina
Dine With Roilty
Jarod Farina, aka Chef Roilty, has trained under some of the top chefs in the world, and is constantly developing and expanding his knowledge and techniques. A French-trained chef with a worldly palate, his love and passion for haute cuisine has taken him around the globe. From spending time in Michelin-starred kitchens to training in […]
Christina Richardson
Chile Con Quesadilla
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 […]
Matthew Casarez
Mc2 Ice Cream
Matt Casarez entered his first commercial kitchen at 14 years old and hasn’t abandoned the industry since. His taste of chef-dom started in Pueblo, Colorado, after which he moved to Denver to attend Johnson & Wales University After working at several Denver hotels and restaurants, he took a gamble on Black Hawk hotel and casino […]
Ty Leon
Restaurant Olivia
Ty Leon was born and raised in Gilbert, Arizona. After high school, he moved to Denver, Colorado to attend Johnson & Wales University and pursue a degree in culinary arts and restaurant management. After graduating in 2011, Ty moved to Saratoga, California, to work in the Michelin-starred restaurant Plumed Horse. After two years of living in […]
Charles Mani
Mile High Tikka Express
Chef Charles Mani was born and trained in Chennai, India, but it was not until his arrival in New York City that he was afforded the opportunity to cook Indian cuisine professionally. Arriving in America with only $100 to his name, Charles worked his way through kitchens in Manhattan until landing a head chef position […]
Ludo Lefebvre
Chez Maggy
James Beard Award finalist and Michelin starred chef Ludo Lefebvre joins Thompson Denver as the culinary visionary behind Chez Maggy— the hotel’s signature restaurant, where French brasserie meets Mile High style. This is the internationally acclaimed chef’s first restaurant outside of Los Angeles, where he currently oversees both locations of Petit Trois. At his new […]
Daniel Mangin
American Elm
Beginning his culinary career in Jacksonville, Florida, chef Daniel developed a passion for the culinary arts at an early age. He left Jacksonville for Chicago, where he learned from and worked with renowned chefs at Willow Room, Fat Rice, and Tortello. In the fall of 2021, Daniel moved to Denver to join the American Elm […]
