Colorado restaurant wins James Beard award

Driving the news: The upscale Italian eatery, led by restaurateur Bobby Stuckey, triumphed against four other restaurants scattered across the country to earn its third James Beard award at the 35th annual ceremony held in Chicago.

• The previous two recognized the restaurant's outstanding service and wine program.

What he's saying: Stuckey took the stage and shouted: "Our industry is frickin' beautiful."

• Like other winners, he emphasized the importance of immigrants to the restaurant world amid federal raids. "If you are new to this country and don't speak the language, the hospitality industry is here for you," he said from the podium.

The big picture: Two restaurants, four chefs and two bar owners from Colorado were named James Beard finalists. The other finalists from Colorado who didn't win included:

• Carolyn Nugent and Alen Ramos, Poulette Bakeshop in Parker, for Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker
• McLain Hedges and Mary Allison Wright, Yacht Club in Denver for Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service
• Josh Niernberg, Bin 707 Foodbar in Grand Junction for Outstanding Chef

• Alma Fonda Fina in Denver for Best New Restaurant
• Penelope Wong, Yuan Wonton for Best Chef: Mountain region

The intrigue: Salvador Alamilla, the chef behind Amano in Caldwell, Idaho, took home the medal for best chef in the mountain region, which includes Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Utah and Wyoming.

Zoom in: First nominated in 2016, Stuckey and chef Lachlan Mackinnon-Patterson opened Frasca in 2004.

• The Boulder restaurant has since collected a variety of national nods, including consecutive Michelin Stars in 2023 and 2024.
• The Frasca Hospitality Group operates several Colorado restaurants, including Pizzeria Alberico, which sits next door to Frasca, and Tavernetta and Sunday Vinyl in Denver.
• Last year, the team opened a second Tavernetta location tucked inside the Four Seasons Resort Vail.