Molino Chido
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Between the attention sparked by the Michelin Guide and more and more local spots being highlighted by national publications, the state’s culinary scene is on the rise.
Which is why it’s not a surprise to see seventeen local names among this year’s James Beard semifinalists, which were announced on January 21.
The semifinalists span eleven categories, including Outstanding Restaurateur, in which Uncle, Hop Alley and Molino Chido owner Tommy Lee is among the honorees. Josh Niernberg, chef and owner of Bin 707 Foodbar in Grand Junction, is a semifinalist in the Outstanding Chef category, while Toshi Kizaki’s Michelin-Starred Kizaki is vying for Best New Restaurant.
Seven Colorado chefs are among the twenty semifinalists in the Best Chef: Mountain category, which includes Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Utah and Wyoming. That list includes Alma Fonda Fina owner Johnny Curiel, who has been racking up accolades, alongside first-time James Beard semifinalists Dave Grant and Rocky Hunter of Gladys in Edgewater, and Miles Odell of Odell’s Bagel.
In both 2023 and 2024, there were thirteen Colorado semifinalists; last year, that number increased to fourteen. Only one of those went on to win: Boulder’s Frasca was named Outstanding Restaurant for 2025.
Other notable recent winners include chef Matt Vawter of Rootstalk and Radicato in Breckenridge, who nabbed Best Chef: Mountain Region in 2024, the same year Id Est Hospitality Group founders Kelly and Erika Whitaker were named Outstanding Restaurateur; and Annette chef/owner Caroline Glover’s Best Chef: Mountain Region honor in 2022. (Colorado was shut out of the awards in 2023.)
This year, the restaurant and chef finalists will be announced on Tuesday, March 31; the awards ceremony will be held in Chicago on Monday, June 15.
Here is the complete list of the 2026 James Beard semifinalists from Colorado:
Sarah Banks
Outstanding Restaurateur
- Tommy Lee: Uncle, Hop Alley and Molino Chido, Denver
Outstanding Chef
- Josh Niernberg: Bin 707 Foodbar, Grand Junction
Best New Restaurant
- Kizaki, Denver
Outstanding Bakery
- Poulette Bakeshop, Parker
Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker
- Emily Thompson, The Wolf’s Tailor, Denver
Outstanding Hospitality
- Restaurant Olivia, Denver
Outstanding Bar
- Lady Jane, Denver
Best New Bar
- Van Atta, Telluride
Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service
- Ryan Fletter, Barolo Grill, Denver
Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service
- McLain Hedges and Mary Allison Wright, Yacht Club, Denver
Best Chef: Mountain (CO, ID, MT, UT, WY)
- Theo Adley: Marigold, Lyons
- Johnny Curiel: Alma Fonda Fina, Denver
- Dave Grant and Rocky Hunter: Gladys, Edgewater
- Miles Odell: Odell’s Bagel, Denver
- Bo Porytko: Molotov Kitschen + Cocktails, Denver
- Kenneth Wan: MAKFam, Denver
- Penelope Wong: Yuan Wonton, Denver
