Molly Martin
Audio By Carbonatix
In 2024, the Colorado Restaurant Association revamped its longtime annual Industry Spotlight awards as the HOSPYs, introducing changes that include public nominations and voting in categories that span from Restaurant of the Year to Front- and Back-of-House Employees of the Year.
This year’s finalists were announced in September, and on November 10, the winners were honored at a ritzy gala at the Seawell Ballroom at the Denver Performing Arts Complex. “The HOSPYs celebrate achievement at every level of the hospitality workforce — from dishwashers, cooks and service teams to food truck operators, restaurateurs, chefs, and beverage professionals,” the CRA explains.
Spirits were high as finalists gathered for an upbeat evening that kicked off with a welcome from Mayor Mike Johnston before James Beard award-winning author Adrian Miller took the stage as host for the night.
During the evening, the CRA also inducted three members of Colorado’s hospitality community into the Colorado Foodservice Hall of Fame, which was established in 1978 and includes Westword editor-in-chief Patricia Calhoun.
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This year’s inductees are Nick Ault, owner of the Duffeyroll Bakery & Café in Denver; Sheila Lucero, culinary director for the Big Red F Restaurant Group in Denver and Boulder; and restaurateur Kevin Taylor, founder of the Kevin Taylor Restaurant Group in Denver and Broomfield.
Bin 707
Here are all of the 2025 HOSPY winners, which span from Grand Junction to Steamboat Springs, Denver and beyond:
Front-of-House Employee of the Year
Laine Droski, FOH Team Member, Leven Deli Co. (Denver)
Back-of-House Employee of the Year
Alondra Ramos, Lead Line Cook, Restaurant Olivia (Denver)
Bartender of the Year
Scott Hanley, Bartender, The Candlelight Tavern (Denver)
Beverage Professional of the Year
Gavin Bistodeau, Owner/Founder, Melrose Spirit Co. (Grand Junction)
Manager of the Year
Jenny Knickerbocker, Regional VP of Operations, Destination Hospitality (Steamboat Springs)
Food Truck of the Year
Sunny Sky Pies (Fort Collins)
Operator of the Year
Mary Nguyen, Olive & Finch Collective (Denver, Aurora)
Newcomer Restaurant of the Year
Champagne Tiger (Denver)
Pastry Chef/Baker of the Year
Ismael de Sousa, Reunion Bread Co (Denver)
Chef of the Year
An Nguyen, Dân Dã (Aurora)
Restaurant of the Year
Bin 707 (Grand Junction)
Two additional HOSPY Awards were given in categories not voted on by the public:
Legacy Employee of the Year
Chris Seres, Assistant General Manager, The Fort (Morrison)
Community Partner of the Year
Kind Therapy, Inc. (Edgewater)
