The top award — and the only one not announced in advance — was the Richard P. Ayers Award for Distinguished Service, which went to Derek Figueroa, chief operating officer of the Seattle Fish Co., which has been bringing fresh seafood to Denver since 1918.
Here's a list of the other recipients:
Outstanding Media Professional Signature Dish Award: Amanda Faison of 5280 magazine.
Philanthropist Signature Dish Award: Jennifer Jasinski co-owner of Rioja, Bistro Vendôme, Euclid Hall and Stoic & Genuine.
Noel & Tammy Cunningham Humanitarian Award: Walter and Christie Isenberg of Sage Hospitality.
Colorado Homes & Lifestyles Best Restaurant Design Award: Black Eye Coffee.
Pinnacol Assurance Safety Award: The Tavern Hospitality Group.
Reaching for the Stars Knoebel Award: The Weil Family Foundation.
Exceptional Newcomer Signature Dish Awards: Leanne Adamson and Royce Oliveira of To the Wind Bistro and Kelly Morrison and Pariza Mehta of Ambli.
Regional Outstanding Professional Signature Dish Awards: Mark Havens of Cafe Vino (Fort Collins) and Greg Howard of McCabe's Tavern (Colorado Springs).
Outstanding Professional Signature Dish Awards: Frank Bonanno of Bonanno Concepts and Cathy Cooney of Palm Restaurant.
Colorado Foodservice Hall of Fame Inductees:
Penny Parker (accepted posthumously by Devany McNeill and Patricia Calhoun); Craig Reed of the Broadmoor Hotel; Lee Goodfriend, David Racine and Dixon Staples (posthumously) of Racines, Goodfriends and Dixons; and Tom Walls of the Castle Cafe, Next Door and Trinity Grille.
While "Signature Dish" recipients received blown-glass awards, guests of the event were treated to rounds of dishes created by chefs Jenna Johansen of Epicurean Catering, Sheila Lucero of the Jax Fish House group, Liz Farrall of Sarto's, Andrea Knight of the Noshery and Serena Romeo of Comida.