VIP Leadership Awards Ceremony were held at Tavern (Tivoli Turnhalle) on the Auraria Campus on April 29, 2023

Members of the Colorado Chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier selected 10 local culinary-industry leaders to honor in a VIP award ceremony prior to the Big Stir festival.

AGRICULTURE LEADER
Beverly Grant, Founder – Mo’ Betta Green MarketPlace

ALCOHOL BEVERAGE LEADER
Betsy Lay, Co-Founder – Lady Justice Brewing

BAKERY LEADER
Kristy Greenwood Bortz, Chef/Co-Owner – Victory Love + Cookies

BAR LEADER
Kristy Wygmans, Co-Owner – Pour Brothers Community Tavern

CHEF LEADER
Penelope Wong, Executive Chef/Owner – Yuan Wonton

COMMUNITY LEADER
The Women of Comal Heritage Food Incubator

FOOD MANUFACTURING LEADER
Mara Trager Tcheunou, Co-Founder – Bibamba Artisan Chocolate

FOOD RETAIL LEADER
Michelle Lasnier, Founder – Ruby’s Market

HOSPITALITY LEADER
Cindhura Reddy, Co-Owner – Spuntino

NON-ALCOHOL BEVERAGE LEADER
Sara Lemmon, Founder – 3rd Bird Kombucha