The James Beard Foundation states a mission to "celebrate, nurture, and honor America's diverse culinary heritage." On Saturday, September 10, the foundation brought that mission to the streets of Boulder with a dinner organized by chef/farmer Eric Skokan of Black Cat Farm, Black Cat Bistro and Bramble & Hare. Colorado's summer harvest was the theme that brought together eleven top chefs, mixologists and bakers from Denver and Boulder for a multi-course dinner under the clear Colorado sky.
Participating chefs included Daniel Asher (River & Woods), Jessica Emich (Shine), Will and Coral Frischkorn (Cured and Cured West), Bradford Heap (Wild Standard, Salt and Colterra), Jennifer Jasinski (Rioja and several others), Mark Monette (Flagstaff House), Dave Query (Big Red F Restaurant Group), Alex Seidel (Fruition and Mercantile Dining & Provision), and Jennifer Bush of Lucky's Bakehouse. Joining them were Bryan Dayton of Oak at Fourteenth, Acorn and Brider as mixologist and Master Sommelier Brett Zimmerman, who paired wine and cocktails with each of the plated dishes.
Here's a look at the evening, which took place on a fenced-off block of Thirteenth Street just south of the Pearl Street Mall.