Well-deserved awards

Last week, the Colorado Restaurant Association (CRA) hosted their food hospitality awards. Called the “HOSPYs,” these awards go to outstanding people and food businesses around the state. The CRA does a lot of important work supporting and protecting the food and beverage industry.

According to their press release, “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.”

At the ceremony in downtown Denver’s Seawell Ballroom, the winners were announced live during the dinner. Gov.

Jared Polis started the night off with a congratulatory greeting during the formal cocktail hour and then the delightful food historian and award-winning author, Adrian Miller, was the emcee for the evening. I had such fun at this wonderful event and the ballroom was abuzz with nervous energy as people awaited Miller’s opening of the envelopes.

It was like Colorado’s very own food Academy Awards ceremony!

One of the first awards of the evening was for “Manager of the Year.”

Grand Junction’s Angelina Allen won! Allen is the warm and welcoming assistant general manager of 626 on Rood. She always makes sure everyone has a great time at this delicious restaurant. I loved seeing how stunned she was when Miller announced her name as the winner and she went up on stage. The crowd cheered loudly for her as she received a beautiful statue, said words of gratitude, and then joined her husband for photos and champagne.

Later in the evening, the award for best “Food Truck of the Year” was announced. And Palisade’s terrific Pali-Thai food truck was the winner! Again, lots of loud cheering and the beaming husband and wife team, Chiranut (Pam) and Mike Johnson, took the stage to accept it. Pam is from Thailand and makes heart-felt Thai food. They are a lovely couple and I delighted in seeing their happiness. They have a fun slogan “East meets West” and you can find their rotating schedule online at www.pali-thai. com.

I was seated at a table that included the vivacious Kip Wilson; founder of the Stoned Appetit podcast.

He particularly cracked me up with his exuberant enthusiasm when Carolyn Nugent and Alen Ramos of Poulette Bakeshop in Parker won for best “Pastry Chef/ Baker of the Year.”

I look forward to checking it, and all the others, out in the future!

We are so fortunate to live in a community and state with wonderful foods and hospitality.

I’m pleased the Western Slope continues to receive statewide recognition and I encourage you to visit all the nominees and honorees from this year’s HOSPYS awards. Join me in wishing them all a heartfelt congratulations!

The 2024 HOSPY Award honorees are:

¦ Front-of-House Employee of the Year: Jenne Harris, Maître d’, Stone Cellar Bistro (Arvada)

¦ Back-of-House Employee of the Year: Ricardo Tyrell, Line Cook, Salt & Lime (Steamboat Springs)

¦ Bartender of the Year: Keith Webber, Mountain Standard (Vail)

¦ Manager of the Year: Angelina Allen, Assistant General Manager, 626 on Rood (Grand Junction)

¦ Food Truck of the Year: Pali Thai (Palisade)

¦ Operator of the Year: Chris Schmidt, Craftsman Brew Co., Bird Craft, and Il Mago (Edwards, Frisco)

¦ Newcomer Restaurant of the Year: S_p S_a (Denver)

¦ Pastry Chef/Baker of the Year: Carolyn Nugent and Alen Ramos, Poulette Bakeshop (Parker)

¦ Chef of the Year: Penelope Wong, Yuan Wonton (Denver)

¦ Restaurant of the Year: Annette (Aurora)

¦ Legacy Employee of the Year: Miranda McFarlan-Garcia, Richard Sandoval Hospitality (Denver, Snowmass)

¦ Community Partner of the Year: US Foods (Centennial)

¦ Philanthropists of the Year: Jessica and Richard Fierro, Atrevida Beer Co. (Colorado Springs)

¦ Richard P. Ayers Award for Distinguished Service: Catherine Cooney, Cooney Consulting and Recruiting (Denver) List courtesy of the Colorado Restaurant Association.

If you have any food and beverage-related events or information you want readers to know about, please email me at AllThingsFoodChristine@ gmail. com.

Angelina Allen from 626 on Rood poses for photos after being named Manager of the Year at the annual Colorado Restaurant Association food hospitality awards. (Christine Gallagher photo).

Nominees for Food Truck of the Year. (Christine Gallagher photo).

Husband and wife team, Chiranut (Pam) and Mike Johnson accept the award for Food Truck of the Year (Photo by Christine Gallagher).

FOOD NEWS

ALLAGHER