With Women's History Month in full swing, we present to you some very talented Denver women. These chefs, mixologists and restaurant owners have worked hard in the male-dominated culinary world, and it shows. They have very different backgrounds and styles, but one thing they all have in common: they love what they do. Whether you're looking for a great cocktail, a hearty Italian meal, fresh seafood or unique sausages and mustards, these women will cook--or mix--it up for you.
Gallery
Jennifer Jasinski- Rioja, Bisto Vendome and Euclid Hall(01 of04)
Jennifer Jasinski is a culinary superstar. A protege of Wolfgang Puck, she has racked up so many accolades and awards that it's hard to count, and she has been recognized as an outstanding business woman in Denver. Her three restaurants with co-owner Beth Gruitch, Rioja, Bistro Vendome and Euclid Hall, display her dedication to the craft and her popularity in the Mile High City.Jasinski got her start at a young age by cooking for her family and participating in a occupational high school program for aspiring chefs. She had a formal culinary education at Santa Barbara City College in California and the Culinary Institute of America. Working in the famed Rainbow Room honed her talents and got her a chance meeting with Puck.Jaskinski returned to California where she met up with Puck once again and developed a work relationship that took her on a grand culinary tour. She developed and opened restaurants, created menus, managed staffs and and even wore the chef's hat. Her credits with Puck include executive sous chef at Granita in Malibu, Calif., executive sous chef at Spago Chicago and corporate chef at Wolfgang Puck Food Company.Making her way to Denver in 2000, Jasinski was the executive chef at Panzano. In 2003, she left her position to open her own restaurant. A year later, with Gruitch, Jasinski opened Rioja, a fresh approach to Mediterranean cuisine, in Larimer Square. By 2004, she was named the best Colorado Chef and in 2005 she appeared on Food Network's Thanksgiving Challenge. In 2006, the duo bought Bistro Vendome, a classic French bistro, and opened Euclid Hall in 2010, an inspired German beer hall. The latter was named one of 5280 Magazine's best new restaurants of 2010. Jasinski has several awards to her name, including Best Chef of the Year, Best New Chef and Rising Star in Restaurant Hospitality, Nation's Restaurant News, The Denver Post and 5280 Magazine. She was the Jean Yancey award winner in the National Association of Women Business Owners Outstanding Women in Business awards presented by the Denver Business Journal in 2007. In 2010, she was a semi-finalist for the James Beard Foundation best Southwest chef.Even with all the awards and accolades, she still finds so much pleasure simply making a difference through her job."What I love about my job, is making a difference...Making a difference in someone's day because they had a great meal, making a difference with one of my staff because I am teaching them something they did not know, and making a difference in people life through employment and a career."She recently released the cookbook, The Perfect Bite. "It was so hard to do, but I am so proud of how it turned out," Jasinski says.
Anika Zappe- Mixoligst, Root Down(02 of04)
Anika Zappe started her career in your average bar--beer and shots were the norm. She knew there were better drinks out there and craved the cocktails she had in other bars, like Milk and Honey in New York. So, she taught herself. In 2009, Zappe made her training formal by finishing the BAR training program in New York. She came across her position at Root Down while browsing on CraigsList. She knew she was perfect, and so did they. Looking at the cocktail list, it is obvious Zappe puts time and consideration into her cocktails. Many feature local spirits and ingredients not normally found in drinks, like balsamic vinegar and cardamon. Her next stop is Linger, a new spot being opened by Root Down chef and owner Justin Cucci. Until Linger opens, Zappe will continue to manage the bar at Root Down.Zappe loves that she can always learn more things in her profession. She also loves sharing her knowledge and making people happy. So, stop in and talk to Zappe. You might learn a few things and maybe you can get a flip, her favorite drink to make.
Sheila Lucero- Jax Fish House Denver and Boulder(03 of04)
Sheila Lucero is a local girl with a love for food. She was introduced to the culinary world by her father, an avid food-lover and cook. Her culinary journey continued in Florida, where she had a soccer scholarship at Florida International University. She discovered and explored the interesting flavors of southern Florida cuisine. She continued her education at the Colorado Arts Institute with a culinary arts degree. She loved the energy and enthusiasm she found in kitchens, which reminded her of the soccer fields of her past. Lucero worked as a line cook at several Denver restaurants while completing her education and was part of the opening crew of Jax Fish House Denver. She was promoted to sous chef under the guidance of Dave Query and Jamey Fade. In 2002, she was promoted to chef and immediately make her mark on the Denver culinary scene. Several local media outlets dubbed her menu Denver's "Best Seafood." She has appeared on 9News twice and participates in the philanthropic events throughout the city. In 2009, she was named executive chef for both Jax Fish House Denver and Boulder.She loves what she does and that shines through in the cuisine at Jax. "To put it simply, I get to do what I love, and play with people I love, and hopefully that resonates in the whole Jax experience and people love us for what we do."
Elise Wiggins- Panzano(04 of04)
Elise Wiggins had a unique upbringing when it comes to food. Growing up in the South, weekly gatherings included family and food. Gumbo and crawfish graced the tables along with the cuisine of northern Italy. Her mother grew up in New York and spent her summers in Italy, explaining the prevalence of Italian dishes during the family gatherings in the South. Her cooking aspirations came from her family.Wiggins started her career in the front-of-the-house, but knew she needed to be in the kitchen. She attended the Colorado Institute of Arts in Denver and graduated with honors. She found herself in several kitchen jobs around town and as the chef of Bella Ristorante. An extended trip to Central America followed her departure from Denver, where she took classes, sampled street food and visited markets. She got an offer from the Westin Rio Mar Resort in Puerto Rico for their restaurant Palio and it seemed like a perfect fit. While Wiggins was at Palio, it earned a Mobil 4-Diamond rating.Wiggins returned to the United States as the opening chef of Capriccio Restaurant in the Peabody Hotel in Memphis. She desired to return to Denver."When I heard about the Panzano job, I knew it was the job I really wanted and a way to get back to Denver," says Wiggins. Since Wiggins return to Denver and arrival at Panzano, the restaurant was chosen for Four Diamond status by AAA, names the top Italian restaurant in Denver by the Rocky Mountain News and included in the top restaurants in Denver by 5280 Magazine and Zagat's."What I like about the restaurant industry is that I can make a lot of people happy with my food in a short amount of time," says Wiggins.She says her favorite things to make is whatever is in front of her and in her hands at the time. Spoken like a true chef.
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Already contributed? Log in to hide these messages.