CHICAGO — Three Coloradans were awarded coveted James Beard Awards at an awards ceremony in Chicago Monday night. Colorado chefs Erika and Kelly Whitaker received the award for outstanding restaurateur and Matt Vawter of Breckenridge was named best chef in the mountain region. The Whitakers are known for their Id Est Hospitality Group which runs several Colorado restaurants including The Wolf’s Tailor in Denver, Basta in Boulder, BRUTØ in Denver, and others.
"We don't particularly chase these awards," Kelly Whitaker said . "But we definitely chase the platform this brings." Vawter's restaurant Rootstalk opened in December 2020 in a historic Breckenridge home on North Main Street.
Vawter was named best chef in the mountain region that includes Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Idaho and Montana. Colorado James Beard Award winners Erika Whitaker and Kelly Whitaker, Id Est Hospitality Group, Boulder Matt Vawter, Rootstalk, Breckenridge The culinary world's equivalent of the Oscars, more than 100 restaurants were finalists across 22 categories across a range of cuisine and chef experience. Just being a finalist can bring wide recognition and boost business.
The most anticipated categories included awards for outstanding restaurateur, chef and restaurant. PREVIOUS: Here are Colorado's 3 James Beard Awards finalists "These remarkable individuals embody the very essence of our Good Food for Good ethos, showcasing exceptional talent, unwavering dedication to their craft, and a steadfast .
