The annual James Beard Foundation Awards are given out for excellence in cuisine, culinary writing, and culinary education in America. They’re known as ‘The Oscars of Food,’ and two chefs from the Denver area are up for ‘Best Chef!'

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One of two chefs from the Denver area could be joining the ranks of well-known chefs such as Emeril Lagasse, Anthony Bourdain, and Mario Batali; all of which are James Beard Foundation Award-winning chefs.  The two woman chefs are among 20 overall Southwest semifinalists for the big awards given out in May.

One of the Southwest Region Semifinalists is Caroline Glover.  Trained at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York, Caroline is the Executive Chef and owner of Annette, located at the newer development called Stanley Marketplace, in Aurora. Stanley Marketplace used to be a place where they made aircraft parts, so the whole area still has that aviation feel. Annette gets a soaring rating, specializing in wood-fired ‘scratch-to-table’ fare. Her Pork Cheek Disco Fries sound great!

Another of the 20 Southwest Region Semifinalists is Dana Rodriguez. Dana is the Executive Chef and co-owner of Work & Class in LoDo. Dana’s story is one for the [cook]books. She came to Denver on vacation from her home in Mexico. She ended up staying after getting a job as a dishwasher at a well-known Denver restaurant. The woman chef there mentored her, and she climbed her way up through the ranks and is now up for a James Beard Award!

The finalists for the 2018 James Beard Foundation Awards will be announced in mid-March, with the big awards ceremony-gala happening on May 7, 2018, in Chicago. It's there that either Caroline or Dana could win 'Best Chef Southwest!'

Good Luck, Ladies! Go, Denver!

Get more on the awards and Colorado connections from The Denver Post - HERE!

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