The Culinary Creative Group

Möet Hennessy

Ginger & Baker

Makers Mark

Snarf’s

Sawatch Artisan Foods

Serendipity Catering

Nimrod Wines

Elevation 5003 Distillery

Foley Family Wines

Pernod Ricard USA: Valerie Alvarado, Agave National Brand Ambassador

All About Agave: Let’s Talk Tequila and Mezcal 1:30pm

Whether you’re a big fan of tequila, mezcal, both or have yet to explore these Mexican agave spirits, Valerie will take you on a journey to learn all about them. What makes tequila and mezcal different, alike, and why you should be looking forward to your next sip!

A long-time agave enthusiast and skilled bartender, Valerie brings her passion and appreciation for Mexican culture and spirits to the forefront of her work with Altos and Avion tequilas, and Del Maguey mezcal. Adding an artful touch of mysticism, adventure, and humor to all she does, Valerie creates memorable, illuminating experiences for trade and consumer alike.

James Beard Award Winning Author Adrian Miller

Sistahs are grilling it for themselves 3:30pm

Learn about the history of African American women in BBQ from The Soulfood Scholar himself.

James Beard Award winning author Adrian Miller will share stories revealing the deep and wonderful barbecue legacy of African American women. These stories will be drawn from his latest book, Black Smoke: African Americans and the United States of Barbecue.

Hospitality Leader – Fathima Dickerson, Co-Owner, Welton Street Cafe

Fathima is a co-owner of her family’s iconic Denver restaurant, Welton Street Café, where she oversees the front of the house, along with many other behind-the-scenes duties and public relations. Fathima, along with her siblings, worked at Welton Street Café from a young age, learning her trade from her parents. Thanks to her contagiously positive personality, Fathima has since become the face of the business.

Fathima’s entrepreneurship is driven by her long-held philosophy: “Every day is Monday.” To her, that means that there are no days off in entrepreneurship. Thinking of every day as Monday allows her to see each day as a fresh start. If every day is Monday, then every day is an opportunity to plan, prosper, achieve, and exceed her goals.

Agriculture Leader – Sally A. Herbert, Founder and CEO, Altius Farms Inc.

Before joining GS1, Sally held COO and senior leadership roles with the Worldwide Retail Exchange, IBM, and MCI Worldcom. Sally served as an officer in the U.S. Air Force Reserve for over 13 years, including service during Desert Shield and Desert Storm Gulf War operations.

Sally’s current role as CEO of Altius Farms underscores her passion for shifting the local food scene in Colorado through delivery of high-quality, non-GMO, pesticide-free leafy greens and herbs. Altius Farms launched its flagship farm at the Denver S*Park development in 2018; it is the largest vertical aeroponic rooftop tower farm in the nation. Providing community education and job training and employment for our nation’s veterans is a key part of Sally’s envisioned legacy.

Sally serves on the Board of Veterans to Farmers and is a member of the Denver Southeast Rotary Club.

Bar Leader – Nicole Mattson, Co-Founder, Nocturne and Noble Riot

Bakery Leader – Aminata Dia, Chef Owner, Le French Bakery & Café

Food Retail Leader – Barbara MacFarlane, Co-Founder, Marzyck Fine Foods

After she and Russell divorced, Barbara left the Wynkoop, becoming a co-founder of LoDo Brewfest, serving as president of Colorado Preservation Inc., and working with the Historic Denver Guild.

She married the love of her life, Peter Marczyk, in 1997, and together, they started raising money and designing their gourmet grocery store, Marczyk Fine Foods. Three months before the birth of their son, Barbara and Pete opened their first store. Today, there are two Marczyk Fine Foods in Denver and Barbara’s current position is Communications Director Emeritus. She also serves on the board of the Colfax/Mayfair Business Improvement District.

Food Manufacturing Leader – Jolene Collins, CEO, JoJo’s Sriracha

Jojo’s Sriracha was incorporated in Brooklyn, New York, in 2012 but has been produced for the last four seasons in Pueblo, Colorado, using locally sourced ingredients. Jojo is also a member of the Pueblo Food Project, a community coalition dedicated to developing a vibrant, sustainable, nutritious, and equitable local food system that supports all Puebloans in living healthy, happy lives. Most recently, Jojo wrote and developed the curriculum for Pueblo Food Project’s first Startup Entrepreneur Development Program, which seeks to educate, cultivate, and advocate for aspiring food, beverage, and farm businesses. 

Alcohol Beverage Leader – Tiffany Fixter, Founder, Brewability Lab

Tiffany Fixter is an educator-turned-entrepreneur who is passionate about creating life-changing careers for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Born in Lincoln, Nebraska, to entrepreneurial parents, Tiffany was constantly exposed to business balanced with helping others in the community. Tiffany’s education includes a bachelor’s degree in Special Education and Elementary Education from Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, Missouri. After graduating and teaching in Kansas City for a few years, Tiffany earned a master’s degree in Education from the University of Kansas, with an emphasis on autism spectrum disorders. Tiffany was a teacher for 11 years in the inner-city Kansas City Missouri Schools where she taught neurodiverse students.  

When Tiffany moved to Denver and accepted a position as a day program director, she became of the employment crisis that many adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) face. She decided to enter Denver’s popular craft beer scene by employing adults with I/DD to brew and serve beer through Brewability Lab. Her brewery has employed seven people with I/DD since October 2016, and in 2018, Tiffany opened a pizzeria, Pizzability, as well. The pizzeria, which was originally located in Cherry Creek, employs 25 adults with I/DD by creating a workspace with research-based supports, such as a mirror with a “ready-to-work” checklist, a visual menu, and a visual point-of-sales system. Both businesses are now located in the same building in Englewood.

Community Leader – Julie Stone, Executive Director, Work Options

Julie began working at Work Options in 2010 as Director of Operations. In 2016, Julie was promoted to Executive Director and has overseen the growth and development of the organization’s programs, including the innovative Mobile Culinary Classroom which provides culinary training specifically directed towards the justice-involved and re-entry community; the Helping Hen food truck, which provides paid internships for students with the most complicated backgrounds; the opening of a third training center in the Adams County Human Service Center; and, most recently, the opening of a production and advanced training facility on the Park Hill Campus (formerly Johnson & Wales University) in Denver.

Prior to joining Work Options, Julie was the Manager of the Ohio Governor’s Residence, where she developed and directed an innovative hospitality program for incarcerated individuals.

Chef Leader – Lisa Wong, Chef Owner, Wong Way Veg

Lisa Wong comes from a family of restaurateurs, so it is natural that she would become a food truck entrepreneur. Lisa’s love of street food, animals, and her passion for feeding people is what drives her little vegan food truck, which she started in 2015. Inspired by seasonal and local produce, Lisa takes cuisines from around the world and adds her own plant-based twists. Lisa has worked in every aspect of the food service industry and is a life-long cook. Lisa and her business partner Natalie have plans to grow their business and thrive, filling hungry bellies and supporting their community along the way.