The Grand Finale round is here and it brings: Kyle Foster of Colt & Gray, Stephen McCary of Mizuna, Peter Weber of Osteria Marco, Joanna Powell of Cafe Aion, and Steve Redzikowski of Oak at Fourteenth. Voting is open until 6 p.m.
This morning, five polls pitted 26 reader-nominated local chefs against each other for the title of Hottest Chef in Denver. The first poll included Danika Batcher of Mizuna, Kyle Foster of Colt & Gray, Jenna Johansen (soon to announce a new project!), Kelly Whitaker of Basta, Jensen Cummings of Slotted Spoon, and Sable Wentwoord of Z Cuisine. The winner of that was Kyle Foster of Colt & Gray who got 29 % of the popular vote.
In the second poll, readers chose among Bob Blair of Fuel Cafe, Stephen McCary of Mizuna, Eric Cimino of Luca d'Italia, Burton Koelliker of Osteria Marco, and Max MacKissock of the Squeaky Bean. With 27 % of the votes and a four vote margin, Stephen McCary took the win.
Chefs Peter Weber of Osteria Marco, Jen Bush of Lucky's Bakehouse, Robin Bar On of Udi's, Kevin Morrison of Pinche Taqueria, and Gerard Strong of Central Bistro and Bar faced off in the third poll, which was won by Peter Weber with nearly 38 % of the votes.
The fourth poll brought chefs Matt Selby of Corner House, Nadine Donovan of Old Major, Hosea Rosenberg of Blackbelly Catering, Dakota Soifer and Joanna Powell - both of Cafe Aion face to face in a competition that was won by Joanna Powell with 33% of the votes.
The fifth and last poll was won by Steve Redzikowski from Oak at Fourteenth who overtook Tyler Wiard of Elway's, Mark DeNittis of Cook's Street Cooking School, Darrell Truett of Barolo Grill, and Troy Guard of TAG, TAG Raw Bar, and TAG Burger Bar. Redzikowski got nearly 29% of the votes.