The 2014 Colorado Roots Restaurant Challenge invited locally owned Colorado restaurants to share their finest menus, advertising, displays, marketing, and decor that features and promotes Colorado's urban and rural culinary experiences. The goal of the challenge was to discover and spotlight hidden culinary gems that feature local products, are green-minded and sustainable, incorporate the history, heritage or farming lineage of the area, and/or utilize farm-to-table sourcing. From over 40 entries from around the state, El Moro Spirits & Tavern was selected as the winner.
“We set out to discover restaurants that embrace Colorado’s culinary ‘roots’ and we received a robust response from restaurants all across the state,” said Al White, Director of the Colorado Tourism Office. “Colorado is rich in heritage, local pride, sustainable practices and regional specialties and this contest provided us an avenue to unearth and honor some of our culinary charms.”
The 2014 Roots Restaurant Challenge winners were honored at the Taste of Colorado reception at the Governor’s Tourism Conference in Westminster, Colorado on October 30. The winners are:
1st Place: El Moro Spirits and Tavern located in Durango, Colorado
2nd Place: Farm Bistro located in Cortez, Colorado
3rd Place: 626 on Rood located in Grand Junction, Colorado
Special recognition award: The Fort in Morrison, Colorado
The first place award included a Champion Juicer and upgraded advertising on Colorado.com. Second and third place winners also received a Champion Juicer and Colorado.com advertising upgrades. All entrants received a free upgraded business listing on Colorado.com.
"Our team is honored to have been chosen as the first place winner of the Roots Restaurant Challenge,” says Kris Oyler, CEO of Steamworks Brewing Co. and El Moro Spirits & Tavern in Durango. “Starting a new restaurant that formerly housed a saloon at the turn of the century was inspiring. Now, El Moro allows us to chase our passion for creative cuisine and fine beverage pairings in a sustainable fashion. We want to thank the Colorado Tourism Office for the recognition.”
A panel of five culinary and hospitality professionals served on the judging committee. Judging criteria included how well the business conveyed their history and local heritage through their menu/web/social/advertisement/or PR efforts.
“Judging the Colorado Roots Challenge was a wonderful experience because I learned so much about local food sourcing among restaurants all over Colorado,” said Diane B. Gaede, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Recreation and Tourism, University of Northern Colorado. “There were creative menus to review, local sourcing of many menu ingredients, and engaging community partnerships that I discovered. I left the judging process hungry and ready to try a new place to eat!”
The Colorado Tourism Office Heritage and Agritourism Program, Colorado Restaurant Association, Colorado Proud, Slow Food and Champion Juicer sponsored the 2014 Roots Restaurant Challenge.
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