It was a hot time in chilly weather when the Denver Health Foundation kick-started its annual Hot Rocks Griller Challenge, a sliders and sides chefs’ competition, with a VIP party Tuesday at Elway’s Cherry Creek.
Some of Denver’s top chefs — Tyler Wiard and Aniedra Nichols from Elway’s CC, Sean Yontz of El Diablo, Goose Sorensen from Solera, Matt Selby of Vesta Dipping Grill and Jamey Fader of Lola — served boffo bites, along with Ultimat Vodka and Patron Tequila.
But this was a party with a purpose, to promote the Hot Rocks competition from 6 to 9 p.m. June 13 on the Elway’s patio. The event, which last year featured 15 chefs and hordes of attendees, raises money to support various Denver Health programs and facilities.
Broncos long, tall wide receiver Eric Decker with girlfriend country-pop singer Jessie James on his arm were spotted among the high-profile names at the kickoff party. Decker, who wears No. 87, the number that will always in my mind be attached to former Bronco Ed McCaffrey, paid homage to his “numbersake.”
Decker told me when the No. 87 was given to him, McCaffrey sent the heir one of his old jerseys.
Celebration. Longtime creative director and superstar Denver advertising copywriter Bob Haworth died from a heart attack Saturday. He was 69.
The public is invited to attend a celebration of his life from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Karsh Hagan offices, 2399 Blake St.
Haworth logged more than 40 years in the advertising business, starting as a writer on the Chevrolet account at the Campbell-Ewald Co. in Detroit. He moved to Young & Rubicam/Detroit to work on the Chrysler/Plymouth business, specializing in performance products, including the Plymouth Road Runner and Richard Petty Racing.
He left the automobile business and moved to Chicago where he worked on the United Airlines, Allstate Insurance, Schlitz Beer and Clark Gum accounts.
After a three-year return to Detroit for Chevrolet, Haworth took his first job as creative director with the Clinton E. Frank Agency’s Dallas office.
In 1975, he moved to Denver as creative group supervisor at Frye-Sills/Y&R on the Frontier Airlines account. He moved to Houston for three years but returned to Denver in 1984 as creative director for Barnhart Advertising then Tallant-LaPointe Advertising.
Haworth spent the last 20 years as a freelance writer working on accounts such as airlines, banks, memory chips and computer software.
E Clothing kudos. High-end clothing manufacturer Tommy Bahama, known for its tropical designs, has given a 2012 premier retailers award to Brush Creek Dry Goods of Edwards. Brush Creek, a women’s and men’s clothing store with nearly 15 years in business, is owned by Faith and Raymond Bleesz, who have lived in the Vail Valley since the 1970s.
EavesdroppingTwo cellphone store employees:
“So, how’s it going?”
“Just living the dream one cellphone at a time.”
Penny Parker’s column appears Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Call her at 303-954-5224 or e-mail pparker@denverpost.com; follow her at .
