A Culinary Journey: The Denver Food + Wine Festival
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.
Jessica Biederman
Water Grill
Jessica Biederman is the executive chef at Water Grill in Denver, an elevated setting for seasonally-driven dining in the Lower Downtown (LoDo) neighborhood. Water Grill – family-owned and operated by King’s Seafood Company – strives to be a good steward of the ocean, offering first-of-season seafood and the broadest selection of fish, shellfish, lobster, crab, […]
Shanahan’s Steakhouse
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 […]
Bill Taibe
Kawa Ni
Chef Bill Taibe is a James Beard nominated Chef and owner of Kawa Ni, a lively izakaya in a historic firehouse located in the heart of LoHi. Kawa Ni provides a warm welcoming space to enjoy creative cocktails, a broad whisky selection and shareable plates like dumplings, onigiri, tofu pockets, raw fish and seasonal vegetables. […]
Chris Royster
The Flagstaff House
Executive Chef and co-owner Chris Royster of The Flagstaff House is celebrated as a Zagat “30 Under 30” awardee and a Food Network Chopped Champion. His culinary journey is a testament to a family deeply rooted in an appreciation for exceptional cuisine. Chris’s childhood in Hyde Park, New York, was infused with culinary influences from […]
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 […]
Darrel Truett
Barolo Grill
Darrel Truett has been working in kitchens for twenty-seven years. He initially started as a dishwasher, but was soon drawn to the line, and once he began cooking, his talent and skills were quickly recognized. Darrel was part of the inaugural class of the Denver campus of Johnson & Wales University. He has worked at […]
