Denver chef Penelope Wong wins James Beard Award
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Chef Penelope Wong speaks onstage during the 2026 James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards yesterday in Chicago. Photo by Daniel Boczarski/Getty Images for the James Beard Foundation
The chef who built a cult following for the dumplings she served from a Denver food truck is now a James Beard winner.
Why it matters: Penelope Wong's journey from street-food sensation to award-winning restaurateur culminated Monday with a James Beard Award for Best Chef: Mountain.
State of play: Wong, who opened Yuan Wonton's North Park Hill restaurant in 2023, ended her acceptance speech Monday by thanking women in the industry.
- "It's always been a priority of mine especially to help uplift other women, because I know that they're not always seen in the kitchen," Wong told us.
- She also thanked her friend and mentor, fellow James Beard Award winner Caroline Glover, adding she was proud to follow in her footsteps.
What they're saying: "You all believed in me, even more so than myself, and I can't thank you enough," Wong told Axios from the ceremony in Chicago, stressing her gratitude to the Denver community.
- "It's the most incredible feeling," she told us after her win.
Wong had received three previous nominations before Monday's win.
Between the lines: Wong beat fellow Denver chef and finalist Johnny Curiel (Alma Fonda Fina) for the award covering Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Utah and Wyoming.
- She referenced Curiel in her acceptance speech, joking about the competition: "It's a running joke. I love Johnny," she told us.
Zoom out: Colorado was well represented among Monday's James Beard finalists:
- Josh Niernberg of Grand Junction's Bin 707 Foodbar.
- McLain Hedges and Mary Allison Wright of Denver's Yacht Club.
- Ryan Fletter of Denver's Barolo Grill.
If you go: Yuan Wonton is located at 2878 Fairfax St.