Shining local light on the outstanding talent and achievements of the Colorado restaurant and hospitality community

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2024

THE HOSPYS

Colorado Restaurant Association Hospitality Awards

Voting for the 2024 HOSPY awards is OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

voting closes
Thursday, October 24, 2024
One vote per email

The HOSPY Awards recognize team members, restaurants, food trucks, vendors, philanthropists, and other Colorado hospitality professionals who serve as leaders and mentors; who have significantly contributed to their businesses and their communities; and who have pushed our state’s great industry forward.

Winners will be announced live at the HOSPY Awards Gala on November 6, 2024.

Held at the Seawell Ballroom at the Denver Performing Arts Complex on Wednesday, November 6, the HOSPY Awards Gala is an opportunity to recognize the extraordinary talents of the Colorado hospitality community and gather together to celebrate the positive impact of our industry across the Centennial State.

2024 HOSPY AWARD FINALISTS:

Front-of-House Employee of the Year:

An individual in a non-management, front-of-house role with regular customer contact who demonstrates outstanding professionalism and significantly contributes to the positive image of the hospitality industry in Colorado

  • Jenne Harris
    Jenne Harris

    Maître d'
    Stone Cellar Bistro, Arvada

  • Keith Yoder
    Keith Yoder

    Beer-Wall Ambassador
    The Golden Mill, Golden

Bartender of the Year:

An individual in a non-management role who demonstrates outstanding professionalism and significantly contributes to the positive image of the hospitality industry in Colorado through excellence in cocktail, spirits, beer, wine, and other beverage service

  • Celeste Rangel Ruiz
    Celeste Rangel Ruiz

    Middleman, Denver

  • Coleman Sisk
    Coleman Sisk

    Yacht Club and Frenemies Pop-Up Bar

  • Keith Webber
    Keith Webber

    Mountain Standard, Vail

Back-of-House Employee of the Year:

An individual in a non-management, back-of-house role without regular customer contact who demonstrates outstanding professionalism and significantly contributes to the positive image of the hospitality industry in Colorado

  • Francisco Contreras
    Francisco Contreras

    Dishwasher
    Pindustry,
    Greenwood Village

  • Brandon Shirley
    Brandon Shirley

    Line Cook
    Rupert’s Durango, Durango

  • Ricardo Tyrell
    Ricardo Tyrell

    Line Cook
    Salt & Lime,
    Steamboat Springs

Manager of the Year:

An individual in a management role who demonstrates outstanding professionalism and significantly contributes to the positive image of the hospitality industry in Colorado through excellence in team building and mentorship, customer service, and industry operations.

  • Angelina Allen
    Angelina Allen

    Assistant General Manager
    626 on Rood,
    Grand Junction

  • Jessica Cram
    Jessica Cram

    General Manager
    City, O’City, Denver

  • Irving Mares
    Irving Mares

    General Manager
    Santo, Boulder

  • Jason Sutton
    Jason Sutton

    Director of Operations
    Footers Catering, Arvada

Food Truck of the Year:

A mobile food service business that demonstrates the highest standards for hospitality and culinary excellence

  • Chiri’s Momo Delight
    Chiri’s Momo Delight

    Boulder

  • Mukja
    Mukja

    Denver

  • Pali Thai
    Pali Thai

    Palisade

Newcomer Restaurant of the Year:

A “new on the scene” restaurant making extraordinary contributions to the industry and Colorado dining scene through leadership and excellence in food, beverage, and hospitality. The restaurant must have opened by July 1 of the current awards year and cannot have been open for more than two years

  • Alma Fonda Fina
    Alma Fonda Fina

    Denver

  • Marigold
    Marigold

    Lyons

  • Sắp Sửa
    Sắp Sửa

    Denver

Pastry Chef/Baker of the Year:

An individual working as a pastry chef or baker in Colorado who demonstrates outstanding professionalism and significantly contributes to the positive image of the hospitality industry through culinary excellence and innovation, hospitality, and leadership in their community

  • Hannah Lavoy
    Hannah Lavoy

    Lucina Eatery & Bar and Xiquita Restaurante y Bar, Denver

  • Thoa Nguyen
    Thoa Nguyen

    Bánh & Butter Bakery Café, Aurora

  • Carolyn Nugent & Alen Ramos
    Carolyn Nugent & Alen Ramos

    Poulette Bakeshop, Parker

Chef of the Year:

An individual working as a chef in Colorado who demonstrates outstanding professionalism and significantly contributes to the positive image of the hospitality industry through culinary excellence and innovation, hospitality, and leadership in their community

  • Eric Brenner
    Eric Brenner

    Red Gravy,
    Colorado Springs

  • Ian Palazzola
    Ian Palazzola

    Frasca Food and Wine, Boulder

  • Bo Porytko
    Bo Porytko

    Molotov Kitschen & Cocktails and Misfit Snackbar, Denver

  • Kenneth Wan
    Kenneth Wan

    MAKFam, Denver

  • Penelope Wong
    Penelope Wong

    Yuan Wonton, Denver

Operator of the Year:

An owner or operator who demonstrates outstanding professionalism and significantly contributes to the positive image of the Colorado hospitality industry through excellence in operations, hospitality, and team leadership

  • Brent Jackson & Dan Smalheiser
    Brent Jackson & Dan Smalheiser

    Little, Avery Eatery,
    Fort Collins

  • Christopher Schmidt
    Christopher Schmidt

    Craftsman Brewing Co., Bird Craft, Il Mago, Edwards and Frisco

  • Alena Windedehl-Simms & Manny Sena
    Alena Windedehl-Simms & Manny Sena

    A&M Creations on Main, Delta

Restaurant of the Year:

A restaurant that demonstrates outstanding professionalism and significantly contributes to the positive image of the Colorado hospitality industry through culinary excellence and innovation, hospitality, and leadership in their community

  • Annette
    Annette

    Aurora

  • Bin 707
    Bin 707

    Grand Junction

  • Lucina Eatery<br>& Bar
    Lucina Eatery
    & Bar

    Denver

  • Restaurant Olivia
    Restaurant Olivia

    Denver

  • Rootstalk
    Rootstalk

    Breckenridge

ANNOUNCING: 2024 HOSPY AWARD HONOREES

Legacy Employee of the Year

  • Miranda McFarlan-Garcia
    Miranda McFarlan-Garcia

    Colorado General Manager
    Richard Sandoval Hospitality,
    Denver & Snowmass

Community Partner of the Year

  • US Foods
    US Foods

    Centennial

Philanthropist of the Year

  • Richard & Jessica Fierro
    Richard & Jessica Fierro

    Atrevida Beer Co., Colorado Springs

Our Sponsors

Thanks to the CRA and CRF Preferred Providers

Thanks to the CRA and CRF Corporate Sponsors

Subscribe to the Colorado Restaurant Foundation (CRF) Party List to get the scoop on all CRF events, including access to discounted tickets!

By filling out this form, you agree to receive marketing emails and texts from the Colorado Restaurant Association & Foundation. You’ll get insider info about our events, special offers, and a whole lot more! You can unsubscribe at any time, we promise.