The much-lauded James Beard Foundation has announced the semifinalists for the 2010 Restaurant and Chef Awards, and Colorado comes up on the sweet side with six chefs (out of 20) nominated for Best Chef: Southwest.
Nominees in that category are: Bertrand Bouquin, Summit at the Broadmoor, Colorado Springs; Mark Fischer, Six89, Carbondale; Ryan Hardy, Montagna at the Little Nell, Aspen; Jennifer Jasinski, Rioja, Denver; Kelly Liken, Kelly Liken, Vail and Alex Seidel, Fruition, Denver.
“We dominated the Southwest category, which has never happened,” said Denver restaurant consultant John Imbergamo, who represents chef/restaurant owner Jasinski. “It’s a clear indication of Colorado’s increased culinary visibility throughout the U.S. Perhaps this is a bit of the fruits of our labor, so to speak.”
Making it onto the Outstanding Restaurateur list are Frank Bonanno (Bones, Luca d’Italia, Mizuna, Osteria Marco) and Steve Ells, founder of Denver-based Chipotle Mexican Grill.
James Rugile from Venue Bistro in Denver was the sole Colorado nominee for Rising Star Chef of the Year, and an Outstanding Pastry Chef nomination nod went to Yasmin Lozada-Hissom from Duo and Olivea. The Penrose Room at the Broadmoor was nominated for Outstanding Service.
Finalists (each category will be narrowed down to five or six entrants) will be announced March 22 in New Orleans, with the awards gala taking place May 3 in New York City.
