Below is a list of upcoming events hosted by the Colorado Restaurant Association and the Colorado Restaurant Foundation. If you are interested in participating or sponsoring in any of these events, click here.
At this annual event, scholarship award recipients from post-secondary and ProStart high school hospitality education programs are recognized for their outstanding achievement in academics and their commitment to careers in the foodservice and hospitality industry. The event includes a presentation of the ProStart Student, Teacher, and Industry Mentor of the Year awards, and the awarding of secondary and posts secondary scholarships. Since its inception in 1987, the Colorado Restaurant Foundation has awarded more than $750,000 in scholarships funds to students who plan to enter the hospitality industry.
Drink Red Wear Red (DRWR) celebrates the hospitality industry while raising funds to support Colorado's hard-working restaurant employees. Proceeds benefit the Colorado Restaurant Association Mile High Chapter Hardship Fund and the Colorado Restaurant Foundation, both of which provide emergency grants to industry workers in need.
The party is open to the restaurant industry and the public; all are welcome! Drink Red Wear Red showcases signature wines and spirits from Republic National Distributing, ample hors d’oeuvres from prominent local restaurants, great entertainment, a silent auction, private access to the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, and for VIP attendees, one of the most striking views in Denver!
Tickets are now on sale!
General Admission
7:30 to 11 p.m.
Early Bird (through May 26): $45
After May 26: $65
On-site (if available): $85
VIP
6:30 to 8:30 p.m. (then join the main event until 11 p.m.)
Early Bird (through May 26): $125
After May 26: $150
On-site (if available): $200
Purchase Tickets
The Denver Food + Wine Festival is a multi-day extravaganza of food, wine, and spirits events presented by the Colorado Restaurant Foundation and Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits. The annual event benefits the Colorado Restaurant Foundation, which supports worker education, training, and Colorado ProStart, the state’s high school culinary and entrepreneurship program; mental health and wellness resources; and the Angel Relief Fund, which provides grants for hospitality employees experiencing hardship. Festival events feature the best of Colorado’s restaurant community, the finest wine and spirits, educational events, and the culminating signature Grand Tasting.
For event information, click here.
This prestigious awards program celebrates individuals who are devoted to the idea of hospitality and practice it in their daily lives. They are recognized throughout the industry for the significant contributions they made through their leadership, service and dedication to the foodservice industry and community. Awards presented include the Hall of Fame Awards, The Noel & Tammy Cunningham Humanitarian Award, and the Richard P. Ayers Award for Distinguished Service.
Celebrating Colorado’s restaurant industry, this awards program recognizes those who have been mentors, contributed to the community and have pushed our industry to the level that it is today.
The Blue Ribbon Reception (BRR) is a CRA MEMBER-ONLY event and is typically the most popular reception of the season among legislators. It always draws a large and lively crowd. Kicking of the State Legislative Session, BRR is your chance to forge meaningful relationships with Colorado legislators and communicate the needs of our industry.
This annual event showcases more than 250 ProStart® students from 30 Colorado high schools who demonstrate a mastery of culinary and academic skills as they compete in the Annual ProStart® Student Invitational & Sysco Denver Hospitality Cup Competition. Teams compete for more than $750,000 in scholarships through both a Culinary Competition and Hospitality Management Competition. The school that accumulates the most points at the end of the contest will take home the "Sysco Denver Hospitality Cup." The winning teams from the state competition represents Colorado at the National ProStart® Invitational event with the opportunity to win even more scholarships.
The Colorado Restaurant & Bar Show is the premier and largest Rocky Mountain Region foodservice show. It is about bringing together industry leaders and suppliers and presenting absolute excellence. It provides the opportunity to learn about the newest trends and products in the industry.