Colorado restaurants were finalists across 22 categories for the culinary world’s equivalent of the Oscars which can bring wide recognition and boost business.
CHICAGO — Three Coloradans were awarded coveted James Beard Awards at an awards ceremony in Chicago Monday night.
Colorado chefs Erika and Kelly Whitaker received the award for outstanding restaurateur and Matt Vawter of Breckenridge was named best chef in the mountain region.
The Whitakers are known for their Id Est Hospitality Group which runs several Colorado restaurants including The Wolf’s Tailor in Denver, Basta in Boulder, BRUTØ in Denver, and others.
“We don’t particularly chase these awards,” Kelly Whitaker said. “But we definitely chase the platform this brings.”
Vawter’s restaurant Rootstalk opened in December 2020 in a historic Breckenridge home on North Main Street. Vawter was named best chef in the mountain region that includes Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Idaho and Montana.
Colorado James Beard Award winners
- Erika Whitaker and Kelly Whitaker, Id Est Hospitality Group, Boulder
- Matt Vawter, Rootstalk, Breckenridge
The culinary world’s equivalent of the Oscars, more than 100 restaurants were finalists across 22 categories across a range of cuisine and chef experience.
Just being a finalist can bring wide recognition and boost business. The most anticipated categories included awards for outstanding restaurateur, chef and restaurant.
“These remarkable individuals embody the very essence of our Good Food for Good ethos, showcasing exceptional talent, unwavering dedication to their craft, and a steadfast commitment to elevating the industry,” said Clare Reichenbach, CEO of the James Beard Foundation. “With their passion, skill, and leadership, they are shaping our nation’s dining landscape and setting a new standard for culinary excellence.”
“The James Beard Awards present an invaluable opportunity to acknowledge the work of our industry,” said Tanya Holland, Chair of the James Beard Awards Committee. “I am so proud to be part of the work that the Foundation is doing, and I’m excited to continue celebrating the best of the best in our industry.”
2024 James Beard Award winners
- Michael Rafidi, Albi, Washington, D.C.
- Langbaan, Portland, Oregon
- Erika Whitaker and Kelly Whitaker, Id Est Hospitality Group, Boulder, Colorado
- Dakar NOLA, New Orleans
- Lula Cafe, Chicago
- Masako Morishita, Perry’s, Washington, D.C.
- Atsuko Fujimoto, Norimoto Bakery, Portland, Maine
- ZU Bakery, Portland, Maine
- Lula Drake Wine Parlour, Columbia, South Carolina
- Jewel of the South, New Orleans
- Charlie Mitchell, Cloverhill, Brooklyn, New York
- Harley Peet, Bas Rouge, Easton, Maryland
- Valerie Chang, Maty’s, Miami
- Gregory Gourdet, Kann, Portland, Oregon
- David Standridge, The Shipwright’s Daughter, Mystic, Connecticut
- Christina Nguyen, Hai Hai, Minneapolis
- Lord Maynard Llera, Kuya Lord, Los Angeles
- Matt Vawter, Rootstalk, Breckenridge, Colorado
- Rene Andrade, Bacanora, Phoenix
- Paul Smith, 1010 Bridge, Charleston, West Virginia
- Hajime Sato, Sozai, Clawson, Michigan
- Ana Liz Pulido, Ana Liz Taqueria, Mission, Texas
The Associated Press contributed to this article.
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