September/October 2022 Edition

HISPANIC RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCES KEY DATES

HISPANIC RESTAURANT WEEK AND HISPANIC TOP CHEF EVENTS

T he Hispanic Restaurant Association (HRA), a Denver-based non-profit that advocates on behalf of and educates the Hispanic restaurateur, announced the launch of its Hispanic Restaurant Week from Thursday, September 22 – Monday, October 3 and its second annual Hispanic Top Chef ticketed event on Saturday, October

Hispanic Top Chef is the Latin fine foods’ culinary event of the year and features chefs from across the U.S. who compete. The judges include Pablo Aya, once the Executive Chef of Master Chef Mexico; Manny Barella, James Beard Award nominee, 5280 Magazine Editor’s Choice Top of the Town Chef for 2022, and Executive Chef at Denver’s Bellota

which is located at the Source Hotel; and Dana Rodriguez, James Beard Award nominee and Denver-based restaurant owner/ executive chef. Betty Vazquez of Master Chef Mexico fame and one of the most well-known judges in Latin America participates as an honorary judge. The event features fine cuisine and food tastings from other Hispanic

15 at the CSU-Spur Terra Building from 11:30am – 5:00pm. The events are held in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, September 15 through October 15.

Hispanic Restaurant Week was created this year to encourage the public to visit their favorite Latin restaurant during the week. Guests are asked to simply take a picture of the Hispanic/Latin food/drink they are enjoying, tag the restaurant and tag/follow @hra_ national and @coloradofoodmagazine. The HRA, along with OCN Eats, kicked off the week with a Food Truck Festival on Thursday, September 22 from 5:00-8:00pm at 6200 S. Syracuse Way in Greenwood Village. Luchador, Mi Rey Social, Tulas Tapas, Bits N Pieces, Cilantro and Perejil and The Road Runner are participating. “We are excited to launch Hispanic Restaurant Week to benefit small, independent restaurant owners with zero cost to the owners. You don’t have to be a member of HRA or purchase a ticket to enjoy this week; it was created to raise awareness and to encourage the public to visit their favorite Hispanic/Latin eatery,” said Selene Nestor, co-founder of the HRA.

Top chefs, along with wine, mezcal, and tequila. Tickets are $65 per person. VIP tickets are $125 per person and include a special meet and greet with some of the chefs on the roof overlooking the Denver skyline with some special tapas and cocktails. There is also a silent auction to benefit the HRA. This is the second year HRA has hosted this event. “Both of these events provide a platform for the Hispanic chef and for us to educate the public about their talents,” said John Jaramillo, co-founder of the HRA. “Latinos make up a majority of the restaurant community and are considered to be the backbone of the food service industry, particularly the labor or back of the house. We are here to give them a voice and get them out of the shadows and into leadership roles.” n

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