What to know about the 2025 Food + Wine Festival

• The Colorado Restaurant Foundation (CRF) plays host to the bash.

The vibe: Participating restaurants include concepts from celebrated local chefs, hometown favorites and a handful of Top Chef alums.

We picked six notable names whose dishes are not to be missed during Saturday's Grand Tasting:

• Jose Avila, who's built a local Mexican restaurant empire with savory tacos, pozole and seafood.
• Carrie Baird, the brains behind Fox and the Hen, a popular breakfast spot known for its fancy creations.
• Beth Ginsberg, of Trompeau Bakery, which recently celebrated more than 20 years of delectable treats.
• Jamie Lynch, who made his Denver debut last year with Church and Union, a New American restaurant.
• Alon Shaya, a New Orleans-based chef best known locally for Safta, which specializes in Israeli food.

• Kenneth Wan, the mastermind behind the traditional Chinese cuisine at MAKfam.

What to expect: Besides introducing you to some of the best food and drinks from across Colorado, the festival raises money for CFR programs.

• These include employee training, health and wellness, and apprenticeships, plus money for the Angel Relief Fund, which is available for hospitality workers across the state.

Stop by: Tickets for the Grand Tasting at the Auraria Campus (1000 Larimer St.) start at $150.