Tonight the James Beard Foundation announced its 2026 restaurant and chef award winners at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. For 36 years the prestigious awards ceremony has taken place, and we’re happy to announce one Colorado chef took home top honors.
Congrats to the astounding Penelope Wong of Yuan Wonton in Denver for receiving Best Chef Mountain. It was the second year the chef made it to the finals in this category, and we’re so happy the country now recognizes the talent we always knew was there.
Known for turning simple street food like dumplings into a high-quality and freshly-made treat, Wong opened the stand-alone version of Yuan Wonton at 2878 Fairfax St., in Denver in 2023, after running her popular food truck for four years. Since then her dedication to quality ingredients and time-honored techniques has brought customers in again and again. But it’s not just the food, her loyalty to the staff that supports the restaurant remains strong.
With every accolade she is quick to point fingers at the others that make Yuan Wonton a success, showing us it’s not just the food presented, but the person behind it that makes something truly special. e
Of course not everyone could win, but we at DiningOut are so proud of all the chefs, sommeliers, bartenders, and hospitality pros that make the Mile High a top destination.
The last chef to take home Best Chef Mountain was Breckenridge’s Matt Vawter of Rootstalk and Radicato in 2024. Last year, the team at Frasca Food & Wine brought home the award for Outstanding Restaurant. Read more about this year’s finalists here, and let’s keep rooting for Colorado talent.
