Events
Here is a list of the major Annual Events hosted by the CRA and CRF each year. If you are interested in participating or sponsoring in any of these events, click here.
Check out our Calendar for a listing of all our events
Blue Ribbon Reception
Held every year on the opening day of the Colorado Legislative Session, this is an evening to spend time with your legislators and tell them what is important to you while enjoying a hosted bar and hors-d'oeuvres compliments of some of Colorado's fantastic restaurants.
Denver Restaurant Week with Mile High Chapter
This annual event run by our friends at Visit Denver is supported by a full advertising and public relations campaign, including newspaper, magazine, radio, online, press activity and social media. Participating restaurants offer a multi-course dinner for the fixed price of $25, $35, or $45 per person (not including tax or gratuity).
Hockey Night Out with Northern Colorado Chapter
Join us for a great evening of socializing with members of the Colorado Restaurant Association Northern Colorado Chapter. We begin the night with dinner and drinks at the Budweiser Event Center, then stick around for a hockey game.
Colorado ProStart® Student Invitational and Sysco Denver Hospitality Cup
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.
Drink Red Wear Red Industry Party
This annual party raises funds to support hard-working individuals who work in the restaurant and hospitality industry. The proceeds from the Drink Red Wear Red event benefit the CRA Mile High Chapter “Hardship Fund”, and the Colorado Restaurant Foundation Angel Relief Fund that provides emergency assistance grants to employees in need. DRWR features signature wine & spirits from Republic National Distributing, Colorado craft beer, heavy hors-d'oeuvres from prominent local restaurants, great entertainment, and silent auction.
Taste of Pikes Peak
70+ of Southern Colorado’s finest restaurants, caterers and vendors are gathering at the Broadmoor World Arena for the biggest culinary show in Southern Colorado. Sample food from local restaurants and enjoy special tastings of beer, wine, and spirits from local purveyors. Watch the Media / Chef Competition, Craft Cocktail Competition, bid on the Silent Auction, vote for your favorite food, and spin the Wheel of Good Taste for gift certificates to local restaurants and more. For event information, click here.
CRF Scholarship Awards Event
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.
Taste of Durango
The premier food festival and the best summer kick-off party in Durango, CO! Featuring local craft breweries, artisan cocktails, and countless samples of the world-class cuisine that Durango's restaurants offer. Always complimented by a fantastic selection of music, dancing, fun, and friends. For event information, click here.
RAF Rocky Mountain Golf Classic
Enjoy the beautiful Broadmoor golf course with fellow restaurateurs while benefiting the Restaurant Advocacy Fund (RAF) for the National Restaurant Association. For event information, click here.
Tailgate with the Mile High Chapter
This is one great party!! Beer, Burgers, live music and then the Rockies game!! What more could you ask for? All for just $30!! For event information, click here.
NRA Restaurant PAC Dinner
Enjoy a lavish evening of amazing food with fellow restaurateurs while supporting the National Restaurant Association PAC. You will enjoy a 4-course meal with wine pairing and have the opportunity to hear about how the Restaurant PAC is helping the hospitality industry. For event information, click here.
Denver Food + Wine Festival
This is the signature event of the CRF, it is a multi-day extravaganza of food and wine education, promotion and tastings. Yearly events include a Riedel glass seminar, an intimate wine pairing dinner, a cocktail competition, a brunch festival, and the primary event, the Grand Tasting combining 40+ restaurants and more than 800 wines and spirits. Additional Grand Tasting elements include a VIP Lounge, a culinary stage with chef demonstrations, a silent auction, and more. The event is a partnership between the CRF, Metropolitan State University of Denver, and The Denver Post Community Foundation and draws more than 6,000 attendees. For event information, click here.
Industry Spotlight Awards
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. This evening that celebrates the industry takes place during the Colorado Restaurant & Bar Show.
Colorado Restaurant & Bar Show
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.
Pikes Peak Restaurant Week
The Pikes Peak Chapter of the Colorado Restaurant Association will be running the Pikes Peak Restaurant Week this fall! The purpose of this event is to get our community excited about supporting local establishments in the Southern Colorado area.
Lifetime Achievement Awards
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.
Breckenridge Craft Spirits Festival
Join the CRA Breckenridge Chapter as they participate in this annual fall festival highlighting the talents of local and national specialty craft spirits distillers. The three-day festival includes the STILL ON THE HILL, a Grand Tasting of handcrafted spirits on Saturday at 4 pm. Admission provides complimentary tasting glass, delicious craft spirits tasting, craft cocktails, people's choice voting, artisanal snacks, and live music! For event information, click here.
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