Real Good Denver Podcast with Denise from Denver Food and Wine Festival Location: Tivoli Quad, Auraria Campus Dates: September 3–6 Format: Week of tastings and competitions culminating in the Grand Tasting

What you will learn

• How Denver Food and Wine Festival funds the Colorado Restaurant Foundation and why that matters for local workers

• The full schedule for festival week including the Riedel glass seminar, Shake and Break Showdown, and the Grand Tasting

• VIP benefits including lounge access, dedicated restrooms, exclusive restaurants, and tasting seminars

• How ProStart gives 2,300 Colorado high school students real event experience

• Who should attend and important policy notes including 21 plus entry

Who this episode is for

• Denver locals who love restaurants, chefs, wine, and craft cocktails

• Food and drink fans planning a downtown weekend

• Supporters of the hospitality community who want to invest in scholarships, mental health resources, and emergency grants for workers

• VIP seekers who want elevated access and seminars

Festival week schedule

• Wednesday Sept 3, 6 pm Riedel wine glass seminar with guided tasting and a take-home glassware set. Learn how glass shape changes aroma and flavor.

• Thursday Sept 4, 7 pm Shake and Break Showdown. Eight food trucks and twelve bartenders. Taste and vote for your favorites. Music and games on the Tivoli Quad.

• Saturday Sept 6, noon–4 pm Grand Tasting. Approximately 2,500 attendees. About 50 restaurants. Hundreds of pours. Photo activations, music, games, and swag.

Note: 21 plus only. No exceptions including infants in carriers.

VIP perks

• VIP lounge presented with 5280 Magazine

• Dedicated restrooms

• Four VIP-only tasting seminars

• Access to an additional set of restaurants exclusive to VIP

Key takeaways

• Denver Food and Wine is the signature annual fundraiser for the Colorado Restaurant Foundation supporting scholarships, training, apprenticeships, emergency assistance, and mental health resources

• ProStart students work alongside chefs and teams during the festival which builds the future talent pipeline

• Expect top Denver restaurants plus statewide representation from Breckenridge, Vail, and Aspen

• Full service dining remains challenged which makes community support and attendance more important

Resources and links

• Tickets and details: https://denverfoodandwine.com

• Colorado Restaurant Foundation: search for Colorado Restaurant Foundation

• Colorado Restaurant Association and Hospi Awards information: search for Colorado Restaurant Association

• 5280 Magazine: https://www.5280.com

• Real Good Denver newsletter and podcast: https://realgooddenver.com