Tyler Nemkov has left Mateo

When Tyler Nemkov joined Cafe Society as a twenty-year-old intern from Johnson & Wales three years ago, he knew he wanted to pursue both a journalism and a culinary career. He opted to keep working in kitchens while he earned his degree at the University of Colorado -- right before...

By Patricia Calhoun

April 16, 2012

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When Tyler Nemkov joined Cafe Society as a twenty-year-old intern from Johnson & Wales three years ago, he knew he wanted to pursue both a journalism and a culinary career.

He opted to keep working in kitchens while he earned his degree at the University of Colorado -- right before it closed its journalism school. And now he's found that life in the kitchen is no more permanent: Just a month after having been named executive chef at Mateo Restaurant Provencal, the 23-year-old has left that gig.

"We didn't see eye to eye," Nemkov offers as his reason for leaving so soon after owner Matthew Jansen had moved him into the top slot after it was vacated by Kelly Kingsford. "Making this decision was extremely difficult. But I'm proud to say I'm leaving on my own terms with my head held high. I appreciate dearly the time spent growing and learning and am excited for the future."

And at least Nemkov, who's also worked at Cured, Boulder's new specialty cheese shop, as well as Mateo, now has time to focus on school: He's slated to graduate CU in two weeks.

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Patricia Calhoun is editor-in-chief of Westword, the alt-weekly she co-founded in September 1977. She’s been inducted into the Colorado Press Association Hall of Fame, the Association of Alternative Newsmedia Hall of Fame and the Colorado Restaurant Association Hall of Fame. She’s also received dozens of local, state and national awards for writing, including first place for feature writing and first place for column writing with the Society of Professional Journalists. Patricia is a weekly commentator on Colorado Inside Out, PBS 12's public affairs roundtable, which has won two Emmys.

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