Every January, the James Beard Foundation announces a group of semifinalists for the James Beard Awards, often called “the Oscars of the food world.” Awards are given in 25 categories, including 12 Best Chef selections by U.S. regions as well as top restaurants, restaurateurs, chefs, bakers, pastry chefs, and beverage professionals nationwide. This week, 17 Colorado semifinalists were named; the list will be narrowed down to a smaller group of nominees on March 31 before the winners are announced at a live ceremony on June 15 in Chicago.

Foodies who follow the Centennial State’s restaurant scene are as passionate as Broncos fans who argue referee calls. Which restaurants deserved a nod? which chefs were overlooked? Why did Colorado get completely shut out of the Outstanding Restaurant category (won last year by Frasca Food and Wine)? What we’re most excited about with this year’s batch of semifinalists is the number of establishments representing towns outside of Denver and all of the first-timers, including plant-based Gladys at Edgewater Public Market, cocktail lounge Lady Jane, and chef Toshi Kizaki‘s eponymous chef’s counter in Platt Park. Below, you’ll find this year’s semifinalists to get the conversation rolling, plus every winner since 2008.

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2026 Colorado James Beard Award Semifinalists

Gladys chefs Dave Grant and Rocky Hunter. Photo by Mike Finocchiaro for Starchefs

Outstanding Restaurateur: Tommy Lee, Uncle (LoHi and Speer), Hop Alley (RiNo), and Molino Chido (Aurora)

Outstanding Chef: Josh Niernberg, Bin 707 Foodbar (Grand Junction)

Best New Restaurant: Kizaki (Platt Park)

Outstanding Bakery: Poulette Bakeshop (Parker)

Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker: Emily Thompson of the Wolf’s Tailor (Sunnyside)

Outstanding Hospitality: Restaurant Olivia (Washington Park)

Outstanding Bar: Lady Jane (LoHi)

Best New Bar: Van Atta (Telluride)

Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service: Ryan Fletter of Barolo Grill (Cherry Creek)

Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service: McLain Hedges and Mary Allison Wright, owners of Yacht Club (Cole)

Best Chef: Mountain (which includes Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Utah, and Wyoming):

2025 James Beard Award Winners

Man in blue suit and tie talks to two diners seated at small restsaurnt table with wine shelves in the background.
Bobby Stuckey at his restaurant, Frasca Food and Wine. Photo by Casey Wilson

Outstanding Restaurant: Frasca Food and Wine, Boulder

When Bobby Stuckey, co-founder of Boulder’s Frasca Food and Wine, took the stage to receive the Outstanding Restaurant award at the Lyric Opera in Chicago on June 16, it was the culmination of four decades of dedication to hospitality, wine, and fine dining. Stuckey helped Aspen’s Little Nell earn many wine-based honors in the 1990s and met Frasca co-founder Lachlan Mackinnon-Patterson while the two were working at the French Laundry in Yountville, California, in the early 2000s.

But rather than dwell on his own achievements, Stuckey used the moment to welcome people into the industry and thank the James Beard Foundation. “If you are new to this country and you don’t speak the language, the hospitality industry is here for you,” he said. “If you’re a single parent and you need a flexible schedule, we’re here for you. If you need a second chance because maybe you were incarcerated or just made some mistakes, hospitality is here for you, and I love that the James Beard Foundation gives this beautiful industry this night.”

2025 James Beard Award Nominees

  • Outstanding Chef: Josh Niernberg, Bin 707 Foodbar, Grand Junction
  • Best New Restaurant: Alma Fonda Fina, Denver (LoHi)
  • Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker: Carolyn Nugent and Alen Ramos, Poulette Bakeshop, Parker
  • Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service: McLain Hedges and Mary Allison Wright, Yacht Club, Denver (Cole)
  • Best Chef Mountain: Penelope Wong, Yuan Wonton, Denver (North Park Hill)

2024 James Beard Award Winners

Tasting menu bread course
A bread course at the Wolf’s Tailor. Photo by Ethan Pan

Outstanding Restaurateur: Kelly and Erika Whitaker, Id Est Hospitality (Hey Kiddo, the Wolf’s Tailor, Brutø, Dry Storage, Basta)

The Whitakers have been visionaries in the Denver dining scene since launching Boulder’s Basta in 2010, forging trends in local grains, fermentation, and chef’s tasting menus. At Hey Kiddo and the Wolf’s Tailor, especially, the couple even plays with the notion of a standard menu, taking guests on a build-your-own adventure that results in a unique dining experience.

Best Chef Mountain: Matt Vawter, Rootstalk

Matt Vawter helped open Denver’s Mercantile as chef de cuisine before heading back to his hometown of Breckenridge to launch Rootstalk in 2020. Vawter’s blend of Mediterranean elements and Colorado ingredients helped Rootstalk stand out at high altitude, where seasonality can be challenging. In our interview with the chef after his 2024 win, Vawter gave a nod to his staff, saying, “We’ve been able to build really great teams that enjoy where they live and enjoy where they work.”

2022 James Beard Award Winners

James Beard Award winner Caroline Glover, chef-owner of Annette, in 2019. Photo by Rebecca Stumpf

Best Chef Mountain: Caroline Glover, Annette

Caroline Glover chose Aurora’s Stanley Marketplace to debut her first restaurant, Annette, in 2017, gaining early recognition from local media before attracting national attention with simply presented but slyly creative dishes (we always return for the grilled beef tongue on marrow toast). After weathering the pandemic with greenhouse dining and takeout packages, Glover was rewarded with this deserving honor.

2020 James Beard Award Winners

El Taco De Mexico’s smothered chile relleno burrito gives Colo-Mex cooking a good name. Food styling by Victoria Escalle, photo by Sarah Banks

America’s Classics: El Taco De Mexico

Every year, the James Beard Foundation selects a few establishments “beloved in their region for food that reflects the character and cultural traditions of their community.” Lincoln Park’s El Taco De Mexico, founded in 1985 by Maria Luisa Zanabria and now run by her daughter, Sasha Zanabria, earned its award for not only great tacos, burritos, and breakfast plates, but for its all-are-welcome atmosphere and tireless, all-woman kitchen staff.

2019 James Beard Award Winners

Outstanding Service: Frasca Food and Wine

Noticing a trend here? James Beard judges seem to focus on Frasca’s excellence every five or six years. Those who frequent the Boulder destination know that every need will be attended to and every element of dinner will be perfect, from the host’s welcome when you arrive to the amaro cart to top off your night.

2018 James Beard Award Winners

An example of the kind of food that won Alex Seidel Best Chef Southwest. Photo by Denise Mickelsen

Best Chef Southwest (Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, and Utah): Alex Seidel, Mercantile

Alex Seidel was the last chef to win this award before it was reconfigured to Best Chef Mountain (with a shuffling of the states included in the region), and it felt as much a recognition for his years of excellence at the now-closed Fruition as it did for his leadership of the posh and spacious Mercantile, which opened in 2014 as part of a complete overhaul of Union Station.

2013 James Beard Award Winners

Chef Jennifer Jasinski at Rioja. Photo courtesy of Colorado Restaurant Response

Best Chef Southwest: Jennifer Jasinski, Rioja

Jennifer Jasinski opened Rioja in 2004, so locals knew how good it was for years before the James Beard judges bestowed their blessing in 2013. Rioja continues to be the crown jewel of Larimer Square after more than twenty years pioneering the local food movement by championing Colorado lamb and farm-grown produce.

Outstanding Wine Program, Frasca Food and Wine

Bobby Stuckey belongs to a rare club: Master Sommelier certification from the Court of Master Sommeliers. Of course, Frasca guests reap the benefits when they enjoy only the best Italian wines selected by Stuckey and his staff, but this certification paid off for the the restaurant, too, in the form of the JBF’s highest wine-based award.

2008 James Beard Award Winners

Best Chef Southwest: Lachlan Mackinnon-Patterson, Frasca

It makes sense that Lachlan Mackinnon-Patterson and Frasca were first to the James Beard table from the Centennial State. The chef’s commitment to the little-known (at least at the time) Italian region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia and his artistic platings, subtle flavor combinations, and stellar ingredients could not be denied recognition beyond Colorado borders.