11/07/2024
The folks at the event last night were asking to hear the speech I would have written had I won.
So, here it is, as I jotted it down on my phone…
“I need to thank the Colorado Restaurant Association for the nomination, the entire city of Colorado Springs, my staff, contemporaries and culinarians from all over the country for voting.
I chose to move to COS after about ten years of consulting and helping many businesses open, grow, expand, flip concepts or simply freshen their menus. After working to help others, I wanted to return to cooking my favorite food, staying mostly in my kitchen and attempted to keep a low profile.
Among other things, COVID called me to engage the community and help as many businesses, first responders and employees as I could. That work still continues in new ways. I wake each day hoping to use my time and energy to inspire and for the stability, growth and expansion of the culinary landscape of the Pikes Peak region and especially the partnership of downtown COS businesses.
I need to thank my personal board room: my family, friends, mentors and of course my wife, who supports all of my selfless acts with understanding. I trust my business will always thrive as long as I pour my energy into every person I come into contact with and shield myself with optimism and hope in the face of uncertainty and outright negativity.
I want everyone in our industry to hear this:
“Surviving an apocalyptic event such that we have, and witnessing the love and support of each community which we provide sustenance and hospitality to: we should accept that we are all invincible!”
We are stronger as an industry than we usually accept and should feel massively empowered by the connections we have all made to our staff and our guests every single service.
I truly appreciate this nomination as it doesn’t mean I am the best chef or the best restauranteur or even the best cook in this space. Yet, in the spirit of caring for others, for connecting to my community and for ensuring I provide leadership and light every day and in any way required, I do accept this with deep humility and gratitude.”
