Brent Andeck
Audio By Carbonatix
It’s been three years since the Michelin Guide arrived in Colorado, though its famously secretive inspectors were limited to considering restaurants only in certain geographical areas — Denver, Boulder, Aspen and Snowmass Village, the Town of Vail and Beaver Creek Resort — based on which Destination Marketing Organizations chose to contribute financially to the marketing costs associated with establishing the Guide in a new location.
That meant that eateries like James Beard award-winning chef Caroline Glover’s Annette in Aurora have been automatically left out of the mix.
Ahead of the release of this year’s Guide, though, Michelin has announced that its inspectors have now expanded their search for “culinary gems” statewide.
“Since the inaugural selection was announced in 2023, the culinary scene in Colorado has continued to evolve and prove itself worthy of being spotlighted on an international stage,” Gwendal Poullennec, international director of the Michelin Guide, says in the press release announcing the news. “Last year, we awarded the first Two Michelin-Starred restaurant in Colorado, and we look forward to continuing to discover and promote dining establishments across the state, going beyond the main urban areas.”
Jeff Fierberg
Adds Timothy Wolfe, the director of the Colorado Tourism Office, “We are incredibly proud of Colorado’s culinary scene and the role the restaurant industry plays in supporting strong tourism across the state. The Michelin Guide’s expansion will help inspire culinary travelers to discover destinations across every corner of Colorado.”
Michelin says its selection process will continue to follow its traditional methodology “based on five universal criteria: 1) quality products; 2) the harmony of flavors; 3) the mastery of cooking techniques; 4) the voice and personality of the chef as reflected in the cuisine; 5) consistency between each visit and throughout the menu (each restaurant is inspected several times a year).”
So far, Michelin has missed the mark in a number of ways in Colorado, though the restaurants that have earned stars, Bib Gourmands and recommended status have largely seen a positive impact. The new edition of the Guide is typically released in early September. Along with Annette, we hope to see spots like Breckenridge’s Rootstalk from 2024 James Beard award-winner Matt Vawter, chef Theo Adley’s Marigold in Lyons, and Eric Skokan’s Black Cat Farmstead in Longmont among the names included in the mix.
