“We’re trying to save a legacy,” says Fathima Dickerson, one of the Welton Street Cafe’s five co-owners. For more than two decades, the restaurant at 2736 Welton Street has been a hub for the Black community in the Five Points neighborhood and the source of great fried chicken. In fact, it just won the Best Southern/Soul Restaurant award in the Best of Denver 2021.
But now it’s in danger of closing because of a broken HVAC system, which controls the building s heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems. Without air conditioning, the kitchen can reach temperatures above 100 degrees, causing appliances to fail and creating unworkable conditions. The cost to repair the system and deal with additional maintenance issues is estimated at $50,000, and the restaurant just doesn t have money to cover the cost.
Claire Duncombe
Alongside a detailed description of how to make chorizo, Benita Salas writes:
“My grandfather, Benito de la Torre, who emigrated from Spain to Mexico, created this recipe. Every Sunday I went to my grandparents’ for a breakfast of chorizo, eggs, beans and homemade tortillas. I was named after my grandfather; the feminine of Benito is Benita. This recipe has been passed down to two generations and always enjoyed it during our breakfast meal!” Shirlaine Castellino introduces her chicken adobo recipe like this:
“I am originally from the Philippines. I came to the United States as a student many years ago. This main dish is one of my favorite Filipino dishes. For some unknown reason, I can’t cook Filipino dishes well, but I do know how to make this one my mother, bless her soul, would be proud! I’ve never met anyone who doesn’t like chicken adobo. Try it for yourself!”
The big news in boba is that there isn t much of it right now. But there’s not so much a boba shortage as there is a boba delay, according to Victoria Lam, co-owner of Tea Street, at 4090 East Mississippi Avenue, and ASA Foods, a food distribution service, along with her brother Patrick. She says this as national headlines are warning that the rest of the country is experiencing a boba crisis. It’s been aggravated as customers have come in with the intention of buying the chewy tapioca balls in bulk before supplies run out.
“Let’s not do the whole toilet paper thing again,” says Victoria. “Order what you need. There will be more.”
The new Lady Boss Festival celebrates women in the food, beverage and hospitality industries those who take charge and rise up within their professions. The Colorado chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier International created the event in order to honor twelve female professionals in the state who are leaders in restaurants, agriculture, food retail and other fields. And while the inaugural event was virtual this year for approximately 45 members and sponsors, Les Dames already has the date planned for next year’s in-person event.
“We want to do something fun but also educational,” says Lori Tieszen, chair of the Lady Boss committee. The 2022 in-person festival will be a time to teach and honor women making an impact within the culinary world. And it will also be a moment to raise funds for scholarships aimed at supporting young women in pursuing education in culinary-related fields.
The Table Urban Farm has a simple mission: to create community through growing and donating food. And the nonprofit organization has recently built a home to further carry out that mission. The Table Public House, at 2190 South Platte River Drive, is a family-oriented cafe and taproom that just opened the first week of April.
The Table Urban Farm was founded by husband-and-wife team Craig Broek and Jeanine Kopaska Broek in 2012. The organization grows produce on donated plots of land in the Platt Park and University Hills neighborhoods to distribute for free to neighbors in hopes of addressing food insecurity while also fostering connections between neighborhood residents. The Table Public House is an outgrowth of that dream and the first time there will be actual tables to match the organization s name.