Denver's Best Food Events: Burger Week, Guest Chef Dinners and More

Westword's Burger Week is in full swing, with plenty of $7 burger specials from participating restaurants. Find more info on these delicious deals below, along with details on several notable guest chef dinners.

The first, on Monday, features acclaimed sustainable food systems pioneer, restaurateur and author William Dissen, who is doing a kitchen takeover at Coperta. Later this month, you can catch celebrity chef Rocco DiSpirito at Guard and Grace and Deuki Hong at Hey Kiddo.

And don't forget that Mother's Day is Sunday, May 12; now's the time to book a reservation for a memorable meal this year.

Be sure to bookmark this page — we update it weekly with the best food and drink events in metro Denver. Check out the highlights for the next seven days, as well as upcoming dates to put on your calendar, including the return of Westword's Out to Brunch in June and Tacolandia in July.
Through May 12
You've got until the end of this weekend to eat your way through Westword's Burger Week. Score some of the city's best burgers for just $7 at spots like Fat Sully's, Jim's Burger Haven, 5 on Lawrence, Carm & Gia, Hopdoddy and more. Sign up for the Burger Week app for a chance to win prizes along the way. Learn more here.

Participating restaurants like the Golden Mill, Tavernetta, Noisette, Leven Deli and MAKfam are donating $1 from a select cocktail to Benevolent Spirits, a fundraiser developed to show solidarity with World Central Kitchen after seven of its team members were killed in Gaza. For the full list of local restaurants involved, visit donate.wck.org/team/574658.

Wednesday, May 8, and Thursday, May 9
Civic Center EATS returns for another season, bringing a food truck rally to Civic Center Park from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays through October 16. Learn more at civiccenterpark.org.

Wednesday, May 8
The Brown Palace is hosting its first Bridgerton-inspired dinner at Ellyngton’s from 5 to 8 p.m. It includes a four-course dinner and wine pairings, a harpist playing modern pop music in the style of the show, photo opportunities, gossip card prompts to entice alluring conversations, an award for the lord or lady deemed best dressed, a surprise visit from Queen Charlotte and more. Tickets are $250 per person.
Friday, May 10
The annual Tortillas for Tepeyac rolling competition is back. The event supports the Tepeyac Community Health Center and takes place at the Denver Art Museum from 11:20 a.m. to 1 p.m. as local community leaders and celebrities roll up their sleeves, grab their rolling pins and showcase their tortilla-making talents. Contestants include Mayor Mike Johnston, Kyle Clark, Lisa Hidalgo, Michelle Griego and more. Tickets start at $80.

Friday, May 10 and Saturday, May 11
Taste of Iceland is a cultural festival that includes events hosted at Coohills, Globe Hall and Invisible City. Most events are free and open to the public, but tickets are required. Guests interested in attending the prix fixe Icelandic dinner at Coohills on May 10 must make a reservation.

Saturday, May 11
Wine Spectator’s annual Grand Tour is coming to Denver for the first time. Sample over 230 wines at this event, which takes place at the Sheraton Denver Downtown from 7 to 10 p.m., with a VIP hour from 6 to 7 p.m. Tickets start at $275.

Saturday, May 11, and Sunday, May 12
Sip bottomless mimosas while you shop at the Sloan's Lake Spring Bazaar from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event takes place one block from the lake at 1611 Raleigh Street. There will also be craft cocktails, beer, a live DJ and more. RSVP for free entry, and purchase beverage options via Eventbrite.

Monday, May 13
Chef William Dissen, an acclaimed sustainable food systems pioneer, restaurateur and author, is kicking off his book tour in celebration of his debut cookbook, Thoughtful Cooking: Recipes Rooted in the New South, at Coperta for a kitchen takeover. Tickets for the four-course meal are $110 and include a signed copy of the book. Reservations are available from 6:45 to 8:15 p.m. and can be made on OpenTable.

Monday, May 13, through Sunday, May 19
Check out the $20 deals for Belmar's Restaurant Week. Participating eateries include GQue Barbeque, Little India, Mason's Dumpling Shop, Mono Gogo and more.

Tuesday, May 14
Snarf’s is holding its Day of Giving, during which 100 percent of profits from all Snarf’s Sandwiches and Snarfburger locations will be donated to local food banks.
Save the date:

May 18: Tickets are on sale now for Stranahan’s 2024 Cask Thief, during which you can taste whiskey from rare barrels. General admission starts at $75, and the event includes a catered barbecue lunch, live music, a photo op station and a chance to purchase bottles. For more information and to get tickets, visit stranahans.com.

May 18: Lotería, an annual fundraising event for Focus Points, is back at Comal. This year, it's partnering with Michelin-starred Frasca Hospitality Group for a reception starting at 5 p.m. The main event includes a multicultural feast prepared and served by Comal program participants, live music from Los Mocochetes, custom-made cocktails, dancing, a silent auction with prizes from top local restaurants, and the namesake lotería, a Mexican game of chance. Tickets start at $100.

May 19: Wings & Whiskey returns to Ace Eat Serve. This year's event benefits the Denver Housing Authority's Youth Employment Academy and features top chefs from eight Denver restaurants competing for the title of tastiest wings.  Admission, which starts at $70, includes two drink tickets for whiskey cocktails, unlimited beer from WeldWerks, access to a whiskey-tasting booth, and plenty of wings.

May 21: Cocina Libre is a collection of recipes gathered as part of the University of Denver's Immigrant Resistance Recipes initiative that will be available on Amazon starting May 16. On May 21, there will be a book launch party from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Raíces Brewing, complete with food, a raffle, music and a viewing of a mini-documentary. All proceeds from the sale of Cocina Libre will directly support the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition (CIRC). The event is free, but advance registration is requested.

May 22: Chef Troy Guard is welcoming celebrity chef Rocco DiSpirito for a cocktail-style gathering at Guard and Grace starting at 5 p.m. Guests will enjoy drinks and appetizers while mingling with the chefs. Admission is $85 and includes a signed edition of DiSpirito's new cookbook, Everyday Delicious: 30-Minute(ish) Home-Cooked Meals Made Simple.

May 28: Chef Deuki Hong is returning to Hey Kiddo as part of his national KOREAWORLD cookbook tour. He'll be taking over the restaurant's “Trust Us” tasting menu with recipes from the book for one night only. Reserve your spot for $115 per person via Tock.

May 30: The Colorado Restaurant Association's annual summer bash, Drink Red Wear Red, will once again take place at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science. Early-bird tickets are on sale now.

June 1-4: The nation’s top thirty bartenders will compete for the title of U.S. Bartender of the Year at the twelfth United States Bartenders’ Guild (USBG) Presents World Class Sponsored by Diageo. Visit worldclassdenver24.com for the full schedule, which includes competitions and the World Class Denver Cocktail Festival, taking place at various venues around town.
June 8: Westword's Out to Brunch returns for its second year, with unlimited drinks, bites and entertainment at York Street Yards. Tickets start at $50 and are on sale now.

June 18: To commemorate Frasca Food and Wine's milestone twentieth anniversary in August, it's hosting a guest chef series. This special night features Bobby Stuckey's long-time mentor, Thomas Keller, chef/proprietor of three-star Michelin restaurants the French Laundry and Per Se. The evening includes a collaborative menu and a discussion of wine, hospitality and the longevity of the profession. Tickets are $595 per person and include wine pairings.

June 20: Rare, the Denver steak competition, returns to the Tivoli Quad, with restaurants serving entries in both the traditional and creative steak categories. Tickets for general admission with entry at 7 p.m. start at $99; there are also First Bite and VIP options with earlier entry available.

July 13: Westword's seventh Tacolandia will be back at Civic Center Park from 4 to 7 p.m. (3 p.m. for VIP), offering unlimited tacos, boozy beverages, entertainment and more. Tickets start at $35, but prices will go up as the date gets closer.

Know of an event that belongs on this calendar? Send information to [email protected].