Avanti Food & Beverage, a celebrated Denver culinary hotspot, has expanded its innovative concept to Boulder, bringing a unique dining experience to the city. This isn’t your typical food court; Avanti Boulder is a curated collection of distinct restaurant concepts, each helmed by passionate and talented chefs. Instead of focusing on just one culinary star, we’re diving into the vibrant ecosystem of Avanti Boulder, showcasing the six culinary gems that make this food hall a must-visit destination. Get ready to explore the diverse flavors and inspiring stories behind the chefs shaping the Avanti Food And Beverage Boulder experience.
Igor Panasewicz: Bringing Venezuelan Flavors with Quiero Arepas
Born in Maracaibo, Venezuela, Igor Panasewicz’s culinary journey is deeply rooted in his Venezuelan heritage. Raised in Caracas, his passion for food blossomed from a young age. Life took him to Colorado, where he met his wife, Beckie. It was his love for Beckie that inadvertently sparked the Quiero Arepas phenomenon. Packing arepas in her lunches, Igor’s homemade Venezuelan pockets quickly became the envy of Beckie’s coworkers. This local buzz led the couple to launch their first food truck in Denver. Nine years later, Quiero Arepas has become a beloved fixture, now proudly serving at both Avanti locations. “We are passionate about sharing Igor’s childhood memories of Venezuela with Colorado,” explains Beckie. “Arepas were a novelty here, and their incredible reception has been truly amazing.” Their dedication to authentic Venezuelan flavor earned Quiero Arepas a spot on Expedia’s Top 10 Food Truck List globally in 2010. For an authentic taste of Venezuela within Avanti Food and Beverage Boulder, Quiero Arepas is an absolute must-try.
Jerrod Rosen: New York Deli Vibes at Rye Society
A Colorado native, Jerrod Rosen’s culinary journey has taken him from Boulder to the culinary capitals of the US and back. Driven by a passion for food, Rosen pursued formal training at the prestigious French Culinary Institute in NYC, earning a degree in culinary arts and restaurant management. After honing his skills in the competitive New York City restaurant scene, the pull of his home state brought him back to Colorado. He took on the role of General Manager at Colt & Gray in Denver, which quickly earned accolades as Denver’s best new restaurant by 5280 Magazine.
Rosen’s ambition didn’t stop there. He expanded his horizons, gaining experience in San Francisco and Chicago before establishing KG Consulting, and the Kudan Group, focusing on supporting aspiring restaurateurs. Now, Rosen brings a slice of New York City’s iconic deli culture to Avanti Food and Beverage Boulder with Rye Society. With locations in both Denver and Boulder Avanti outposts, Rye Society offers authentic New York-style deli fare, crafted with Colorado heart.
Chase Devitt & Charles Troup: Mediterranean Street Food with Boychik
Chase Devitt and Charles Troup, the duo behind Boychik, share a friendship that began in childhood at a Wisconsin summer camp. Serendipitously, they discovered they were neighbors back home. Years later, Devitt found himself in Boulder attending CU, marking the beginning of his culinary path at The Dark Horse in South Boulder, a job he held throughout college. Post-graduation, Devitt realized his true calling lay in the kitchen. After years of experience in various restaurants, he joined forces with Troup to shape Boychik into the thriving concept it is today. “Charles was looking to launch his first venture, and I was excited to help bring his vision to life. He’s a natural at managing the front-of-house,” Devitt explains.
Troup’s inspiration for Boychik stemmed from an immersive trip to Israel, where he explored vibrant markets and savored the diverse street food. “I was struck by the incredible flavors and knew we needed to bring this back home.” Returning to Colorado, Troup saw the potential in the burgeoning food hall scene. “I have complete confidence in Chase’s cooking. Knowing the food is exceptional allows me to focus on creating a welcoming experience for our guests. It’s a fantastic partnership.” For Devitt, cooking is more than a job; it’s a passion. “Food is my escape, my zen. I hope our guests at Avanti Food and Beverage Boulder find that same sense of enjoyment and escape in our food.” Boychik delivers vibrant Mediterranean street food with heart at Avanti Boulder.
Darren Chang & Travis Masar: Taiwanese-American Fusion at Pig and Tiger
Darren Chang, a first-generation American, credits his Taiwanese heritage and family recipes as the foundation of his culinary passion. “My mom emphasized keeping our cultural roots alive through food, ensuring my siblings and I learned all the family recipes.” Chang’s impressive culinary resume includes experience working under acclaimed chefs Carrie Baird at Brazen and Kevin Grossi at The Regional.
Colorado native Travis Masar’s culinary journey took an exciting turn when he met Chang in Los Angeles. Their connection sparked a culinary partnership, leading them to develop their first restaurant concept together. Masar brings two decades of culinary experience, with ten years dedicated to mastering Asian cuisines. His adventurous spirit has led him from hunting game to working in butcher shops and exploring global flavors across Thailand, Vietnam, Taiwan, and the Czech Republic, among others. Masar emphasizes a respectful approach to traditional cuisines: “Being of non-Asian descent, I am deeply aware of not appropriating cuisines with rich, centuries-old traditions.” At Pig and Tiger in Avanti Food and Beverage Boulder, Chang and Masar collaborate to serve authentic and heartfelt Taiwanese-American cuisine, blending tradition and innovation.
Nicholas Kayser: Globally Inspired Cuisine at Rooted Craft Kitchen
Nicholas Kayser, originally from Cincinnati but raised in Denver, is a chef with a truly global perspective. After graduating from the International Culinary School at the Art Institute of Colorado, he apprenticed under Master Chef Bryan Nagao at Mai Restaurant. Kayser further refined his skills working with Denver culinary luminaries like Tyler Wiard, Frank Bonanno, Blair Taylor, and Goose Sorensen. His culinary journey then took him to New York City in 2005, where he spent a decade working in fine dining and hotels, eventually collaborating with Richard Sandoval and opening a hotel in Las Vegas. From there, Kayser ventured overseas to Hong Kong, broadening his culinary horizons. After years of international culinary adventures, Kayser returned to Colorado to be closer to family, bringing a wealth of global flavors with him.
“Much of the menu here is inspired by my travels,” Kayser notes. His Hong Kong influence is evident in dishes like the Rooted Wagyu Burger at Rooted Craft Kitchen, located in Avanti Food and Beverage Boulder. Beyond offering diverse and globally-inspired dishes split between his Market and Craft menus, Kayser is also using his platform to raise awareness. “A year ago, I launched the Zero Proof Dinner Series to promote mental health and suicide prevention.” He has developed a range of sophisticated non-alcoholic beverages, catering to those seeking mindful drinking options. Rooted Craft Kitchen offers a unique dining experience with a global touch and a meaningful purpose at Avanti Boulder.
Steven Redzikowski: New York Style Pizza at New Yorkese
Hailing from the Big Apple, Steven Redzikowski is the chef and owner of New Yorkese, perched on the rooftop of Avanti Boulder. Redzikowski boasts an impressive culinary background, starting his career at renowned New York restaurants Le Cirque and Jean-Georges after graduating from culinary school. He honed his expertise in Italian cuisine at Frasca Food & Wine in Boulder.
While at Frasca, Redzikowski formed a partnership with Bryan Dayton. Together, they opened Oak at Fourteenth in 2010, followed by Acorn in 2013, and Brider in 2015, establishing themselves as a dynamic force in the Colorado dining scene. In 2020, Redzikowski reconnected with his New York roots, focusing on pizza. He launched New Yorkese at Avanti Food and Beverage Boulder, located on their rooftop bar. Offering stunning views and exceptional New York-style pizza, New Yorkese is the perfect spot to enjoy a slice and soak in the Boulder atmosphere.
Experience the Culinary Diversity of Avanti Food and Beverage Boulder
Avanti Food & Beverage Boulder is more than just a food hall; it’s a vibrant culinary community showcasing a diverse range of talented chefs and cuisines. From Venezuelan arepas to New York deli classics, Mediterranean street food, Taiwanese-American fusion, globally-inspired dishes, and New York-style pizza, Avanti Boulder offers a flavor for every palate. Visit Avanti Food and Beverage Boulder to embark on a culinary adventure and discover your new favorite chef and dish.
