
Meet the Talent
Rooted in collaboration, the Festival pairs admired talent with each other. Guests are fully engaged in the energy that emerges from this culinary fusion and become captivated by the surprise of each great moment.

Chef
Alex Seidel
Events participating in:
Friday: The Tables That Connect Us Dinner
Alex Seidel
Alex was recognized as Food & Wine’s “Best New Chef” in 2010, he was a finalist for James Beard’s “Best Chef, Southwest,” and earned “Chef of the Year” titles from local media, including Denver Magazine and 5280. Alex cooked at the 20th Anniversary of “Dinners Across America” and was an opening chef of Aspen’s Chefs Club by Food & Wine.

Chef
Collin Kelley
Events participating in:
Thursday: Trending Toward the Exotic Dinner
Collin Kelley

Chef
Joe Campbell
Events participating in:
Friday: Traditional Innovation
Joe Campbell
In 2016, the Colorado Tourism Board selected Joe to represent Steamboat at a food show in Los Angeles. Bésame has been featured in publications such as Mountain Living, TimeOut, Honest Cooking and Good Taste Denver.

Chef
Jon-Claude “JC” Stevens
Events participating in:
Friday: Wagyu, Whiskey & Wine Lunch
Jon-Claude JC Stevens

Chef
Matt Vawter
Events participating in:
Thursday: Cooking with Fire Dinner
Saturday: Grand Tasting
Matt Vawter
He received national recognition in Zagat’s “30 Under 30” list in 2014 and was a semifinalist for Eater’s Young Gun list. In 2015, Vawter and the rest of the Mercantile team were recognized by Westworld as the Best New Restaurant, as well as Best New Restaurant and third Best Restaurant in Denver by 5280 Magazine.

Chef
Nicole Brisson
Events participating in:
Friday: Ancient Innovation
Nicole Brisson
Over the years, Chef Brisson has won multiple accolades including Desert Companion’s 2022 “Restaurant of the Year” and “Chef of the Year,” Eater’s 2021 “Restaurant of the Year,” Silver State Awards’ “Best Chef 2021” award, Food & Wine’s “Best Steak in the US” award for CarneVino, the National Restaurant Association’s “Best New Restaurant” award, VEGAS INC.’s 40 under 40 and Wine Spectator’s coveted Award of Excellence. She has been nominated as a semifinalist for the 2020 James Beard Best Chef: Southwest Award, and competed and appeared on several popular reality TV shows including “Chopped,” “Late Night Chef Fight,” Action Bronson’s “MUNCHIES” and “Beat Bobby Flay.”.

Chef
Lamar Moore
Events participating in:
Friday: The Tables That Connect Us
Saturday: Grand Tasting
Lamar Moore
After graduating from Le Cordon Bleu in 2003, Moore worked at McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurants and then moved back to Chicago to become the sous chef for the Chicago Bears. He has since cooked for Super Bowls, NBA Finals, and even Barack and Michelle Obama on multiple occasions.
Moore has appeared on Bravo TV’s “Welcome To Waverly” and Food Network’s “Chopped”, “Beat Bobby Flay” and “Vegas Chef Prizefight.” During the latter, he won head chef of the all-new $10 million steakhouse, Bugsy & Meyer’s Steakhouse at Flamingo Las Vegas. Today, Moore is the Executive Chef at Bronzeville Winery in Chicago where he infuses his menu with the authentic southern influences he learned from his grandmother.

Chef
Alberto Collarte
Events participating in:
Friday: Cooking with Fire
Alberto Collarte

Chef
Cesar Pita
Events participating in:
Friday: The Tables That Connect Us
Saturday: Grand Tasting
Cesar Pita

Chef
Roberto Arturo Rivero Posada
Events participating in:
Friday: The Tables That Connect Us
Arturo Rivero

Chef
Paul C. Reilly
Events participating in:
Friday: Creative Influences Dinner
Paul C. Reilly
Paul’s creative use of whole animals and local ingredients has earned accolades such as Best Restaurant for many publications including Denver’s Westword and James Beard Foundation’s 2022 Smart Catch Leader.

Chef
Dana Rodriguez
Events participating in:
Thursday: Trending Toward the Exotic
Dana Rodriguez
She opened Cantina Loca in Denver as a culmination of over two decades of experience in all areas of hospitality, as well as creating the Doña Loca brand of premium agave spirits.
Winemakers and Mixologists

Winemaker
Jon Schlegel
Events Participating in:
Saturday: Cast & Sip Fly Fishing Experience
Jon Schlegel
Attimo has been featured in Wine & Spirits for their Year’s Best Barolo & Barbaresco. Jon has been featured in City Lifestyle, Westword, 5280 and 303 Magazine.

Mixologist
Mark Stanford
Events Participating in:
Friday: There’s Always Amaro Seminar, Old Fashioned: A Style Beyond the Cocktail Seminar
Saturday: Tequila, Agave and Mezcal 101 Seminar,
Sunday: Yampa Street Brunch
Mark Stanford
Mark’s passion for the world of craft cocktails, mixology, spirits, and how to elevate the guest experience has drawn the attention of multiple publications, loyal guests, and the spirits world as a whole. Mark’s captivating presentations have become a mainstay in the Steamboat Food & Wine Festival repertoire. Mark also founded BellRinger Consulting, a hospitality-based consultancy focusing primarily on special events, business governance, beverage program development, and services centered around enhancing beverage program efficiency. His reputation has also earned him invitations to compete in regional, national, and international cocktail competitions.

Sommelier
Scott Thomas
Events participating in:
Friday: Bollicine! Italian Sparkling Seminar, Alps to Dolomites Wine Seminar
Scott Thomas
Given his time in Italy, coupled with the recent achievement of Italian Wine Ambassador and Italian Wine Educator, he is considered an authority on Italian wine, plus holds accreditations as a Certified Wine Educator, Certified Sommelier, and teaches regularly at MSU Denver’s School of Hospitality.
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