Rich in homegrown ingredients, nationally recognized chefs and a thriving maker culture, it's no wonder Bravo set its 15th season of "Top Chef" in breathtaking (and delicious) destinations in Colorado. Experience the highlights for yourself on this flavor-packed tour of the celebrated culinary scenes in Denver, Boulder, Aspen and Telluride. Start your journey in the Mile High City.
There are special places and unique vistas around nearly every Colorado corner. You can help ensure these places exist for generations to come by staying on roads and trails, keeping speeds in check, leaving campsites and picnic spots just as you found them, and following instructional signs while you’re out and about in our state.
Choose a European brew from the extensive beer list at Rhein Haus, where Keegan Gerhard (chef and owner of Denver’s D Bar Restaurant) brought the cheftestants to taste authentic German eats, and play bocce at one of the five indoor courts.
Pick up some mouthwatering, house-made confections at Temper Chocolates and belly up to the bar at Curio for a cocktail (we like the Fancypants, a blend of vodka, lime, bubbles and popping pearls).
Opt for a self-guided tour of the Governor's Residence at Boettcher Mansion, where former Colorado Governor John Hickenlooker and his wife, Robin, hosted a challenge.
Drive to Boulder, where your culinary adventure continues. Pick up a Farm Trail map from Boulder's Convention & Visitors Bureau to discover the county's bounty of local farmers and producers on your own.
Rent a cruiser from one of the more than 40 B-Cycle stations in the city and ride along the Boulder Creek Path, which follows the namesake waterway through town from Boulder Canyon to Valmont Reservoir. “Top Chef” judge Gail Simmons explored some of the city’s trails with Bobby Stuckey, master sommelier/co-owner of Boulder’s Frasca Food & Wine.
Reserve a guided tour of Avery Brewing's massive facility on their website: AveryBrewing.com.
If you have an extra day, make the trip to Estes Park Campground at East Portal near Rocky Mountain National Park or the Stanley Hotel — both sites of "Top Chef: Colorado" cooking challenges.
"Top Chef" season 5 winner Hosea Rosenburg is the chef/owner of Boulder's Santo, which offers breakfast to-go Monday through Friday, 7am–11am — the perfect fuel for your drive from Boulder to Aspen.
Follow in the footsteps of the cheftestants, who were tasked with catching and cooking a fresh catch at T-Lazy-7 Ranch, by embarking on your own fly-fishing adventure at the stunning property.
Those looking for a once-in-a-lifetime wine-tasting experience can book a coveted table at the Little Nell’s Red Light Lounge, hosted in the luxe hotel’s 22,000-bottle wine cellar. Enjoy a private cellar tasting, catered to your every need and hosted by a Little Nell sommelier. Once an invite-only activity, the tasting room is now available to just four to six guests at a time.
Order an espresso and a smoked salmon or prosciutto and mozzarella panini to-go for the scenic drive from Aspen to Telluride.
Order the Dry-Aged Bone-In Bison Ribeye at New Sheridan Chop House. The dish was adored by Bryan and Michael Voltaggio — brothers who competed against each other on "Top Chef: Las Vegas" and served as guest judges on “Top Chef: Colorado.”
The center of mining activity in the Alta-Gold King area from 1877 to the late 1940s, Alta is situated about 10 miles from Telluride. Now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the site includes several original buildings, including cabins, a boarding house and outhouse buildings — all of which look spectacular amid the idyllic high-alpine backdrop.
