On Sunday night at the brand new Ste. Ellie, Eater Denver celebrated the 2013 Eater Awards winners and nominees in an intimate setting packed with concentrated flavors of chefs, restaurateurs, bartenders, and more. On the bar, freshly arrived from New York City, custom cans of Eater Awards-brand signature Italian Peeled Tomatoes were stacked, emblazoned with the names of the Denver Eater Award winners. Winners took home their cans, nominees were congratulated, all guests drank, ate, and enjoyed each other's company.
Peruse the party pictures and check out some hangover observations below.
Small world: Chef Kyle Foster who transitioned from Colt & Gray to the downstairs Viande and Ste. Ellie got a chance to chat with chef Amos Watts of Acorn. The two cooked together years ago at a restaurant called Tallulah in Miami.
Holiday plans: Bartender Sean Kenyon of Williams & Graham and his wife Heather are spending Thanksgiving here in town with friends. The host: Julie MacKissock, chef Max MacKissock's sister.
First bites: Chef Jorel Pierce of Euclid Hall shared that his first restaurant experience at a very early age was at Sushi Den. A toddling Jorel was taken to the iconic sushi restaurant by his father, a big fan of the eatery. One of the two owners, Toshi Kizaki, make Jorel an origami gift from a one dollar bill; he still has it.
Crafty bartenders: Allison Widdecombe of Williams & Graham is on an apron-making tear. The foxy bartender shared that she wants to craft some aprons herself. Tips on must-have features of an apron are welcome.
Punch lists: Ste. Ellie looks fabulous but bar manager Kevin Burke says he still has a punch list to go through for the space. We could not tell!
A chef's life: Chef Chris Cina who now serves as culinary director for the Wynkoop-Breckenridge group will spend Christmas at home with his three daughters for the first time this year. The chef, who just opened Session Kitchen and MainLine, has not had the holidays off in ...decades.
Research: Restaurateur Robert Thompson of Punch Bowl Social and Le Grand Bistro and Oyster Bar and chef John Broening are in the planning stages of Argyll Whisky Beer. The gastro pub will open next year in the Las Margaritas space at 1035 E 17th Avenue. In the meantime, Thompson and Broening are choosing a destination for a research trip. Chicago and Montreal are possible destinations.
Ready to launch: restaurateur Troy Guard is knee-deep in preparations for the launch of two new ventures. Guard snuck out to attend the party and returned to work after. His sweet (for real) venture, Sugar Mill, opens on Friday at 4 p.m. and his Mexican-inspired restaurant, Los Chingones, follows next week.
Country dropping: Missing from the party were chef Jennifer Jasinski, winner of the Chef of the Year award. Jasinksi did have a good excuse: she is in Thailand on a trip with her husband, chef Max MacKissock, and friends. Chef Jorel Pierce of Euclid Hall - and the upcoming S&G Fish- accepted the award on Jasinski's behalf.
Special thanks to Ste. Ellie for being spectacular hosts.
· Ste. Ellie, Sexy Sister Bar and Eatery to Colt & Gray, Starts Pouring Drinks [EDen]
· Announcing the 2013 Eater Awards for Denver [EDen]
· HANGOVER OBSERVATIONS
Denver Eater Awards 2012 Celebration at Colt & Gray [EDen]