5 Denver chefs you should know for Hispanic Heritage Month
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Chef Erasmo Casiano. Photo: Courtesy of Xiquita
Denver's culinary scene is gaining a national reputation for its award-winning options, and local Hispanic chefs are among those responsible for raising the city's profile.
The big picture: For National Hispanic Heritage Month, we've picked five local Latino chefs you should know and whose food you should try ... if you can get a table.
Chef Jose Avila
Restaurants: La Diabla Pozole y Mezcal, El Borrego Negro
Avila is a two-time James Beard Foundation semifinalist for Best Chef in the Mountain Region. His restaurant, La Diabla Pozole y Mezcal, makes some of the best pozole this side of Mexico City, where he grew up.
Chef Erasmo Casiano
Casiano, another James Beard Foundation semifinalist, uses his Mexican heritage to make dishes at Xiquita that honor the country's culinary history, while Lucina offers fare with European and Caribbean influences.
Chef Johnny Curiel
Restaurants: Alma Fonda Fina, Cozobi Fonda Fina
Curiel's debut restaurant, Alma Fonda Fina, was the latest and only local eatery to earn a Michelin star this year. Raised in Colorado, Curiel, who was born and raised in Mexico, has crafted an upscale operation with homemade touches.
Chef Brian DeSouza
Restaurant: The Regular
DeSouza, who was born in Peru, opened his restaurant last year after a successful run of a private dinner service called The Guest. You can find Peruvian influences in his many plates, including seafood items like mussels and ceviche.
Chef Dana Rodriguez
Restaurants: Carne RiNo, Casa Bonita, Super Mega Bien, Work & Class
Rodriguez made headlines when she was announced as the chef behind Casa Bonita's new menu. Her stellar culinary pedigree has earned her three James Beard nominations for her beloved local restaurants.
Editor's note: This story has been corrected to reflect that it is not only chef Curiel's family who is from Mexico — he was also born there.