Sean Lauer is a busy guy, Chef at A Notte Denver, Lead Production at Hop Alley and Consultant with Thrice, all in Denver, CO. He geeks out on Korean cuisine and Iron Chef. We discuss his mentors Matt Selby, Brandon Foster and Jesse Vega. Sean opens up about challenges he's faced and the #UnsungHospitalityHeroes who inspire him with their dedication to the industry. We chat with Jesse Vega about Sean's 'can do' 'whatever it takes' attitude. 

Instagram - @SpillClinton303

Where were you born / raised?

Born in Aurora, CO, raised in Elizabeth and Sedgwick, CO

First job in the industry?

Papous Connecticut style pizzeria, but Vesta was where I really got my first real kitchen knowledge. I didn't start cooking professionally until I was 23.

3 pivotal jobs throughout your career

Vesta Dipping Grill Denver - Intern  2012-2014

Central bistro & Bar - Sous Chef  2014- 2016 

Hop Alley - Lead Production  2016- present

Proudest moment of your career? 

Honestly,  the feeling after a 450 cover brunch including some family on a Sunday watching my really good friends (fellow line cooks) fry a 3 ft breakfast chimichanga for my family was the sense of comradery and love you come to feel in the kitchen.

Food and/or drinks staples in your house? 

Tomago no gohan, a simple Japanese rice dish I never get sick of. Tequila.  Marquis Theater pizza

Two things most people don't know about you?

I graduated from a high school with only 50 students in the whole high school

Words to live by? 

Respect the old search for the new

Growing up on farms , going to rodeos, raising Pigs and cattle.  Mixed with paintballing and playing sports helped grow my appreciation  for everything involved in the food service industry. Discipline, and comradery from athletics.  Appreciation for produce and animals. My first instances cooking included family gatherings, Thanksgiving, Christmas, weekends breakfasts.  I learned to love making my family happy with food.  After high school, I  got a job in property preservation,  (electrical,  plumbing,  carpentry,  landscaping) reselling foreclosed homes for the bank.  I attended Johnson and whales very briefly until I got a job at vesta dipping grill and realized I'd learn more there than school.  After leaving Vesta i followed Matt Selby to central bistro. Where my creativity really blossomed.  Then found my love for Chinese food and went immediately to hop alley to learn. Now I have done a bunch of events with thrice,  and A Notte Denver.  Falling in love with Korean food and culture I just recently returned from Korea and I am hoping to move there to reach English and discover more about the culture and eat non-stop.