Up NXT DEN
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Last year, a pair of Denver chefs launched a culinary incubator program called Up NXT DEN designed to highlight up-and-coming cooks, new concepts, and act as a catalyst for the next generation of Denver’s dining scene.
The brainchild of Bruto alumni Brandon Soto and Silvino Sanchez, the one-month pop-up series held at Koko Ni played host to such talents as Rema Maaliki (now co-owner and chef de cuisine of Bear Leek), Cheyenne Langis (now CDC of Dio Mio) and Yna Zuniga (Bruto’s former pastry chef, now the head pastry chef instructor at Cook Street School of Culinary Arts).
While Sanchez has since moved on to take the chef de cuisine role at the Michelin-starred Bruto, that hasn’t stopped Up NXT DEN from returning this year with a bigger, longer and leveled-up version 2.0 of the project in which much is the same, but a lot is different.
“The concept has evolved greatly,” says Soto, who’s continuing to lead the effort along with photographer Jeff Fierberg. “We took some time to sit back, let nature take its course, and get a more holistic understanding of people’s needs from both a collaborator and community perspective so we could create the most impact for everyone.”
For starters, the series will now take place in a new space, with Bear Leak replacing the now-closed Koko Ni as the host during its normally closed Sunday hours. More significantly, instead of a month-long effort where each chef had just one night to shine, Up NXT DEN will now be held every Sunday for the next eight months, giving participants four to five weeks each to showcase their vision.
Courtesy of Up NXT DEN
“It really gives them the opportunity to shine their light and have that spotlight individually, as opposed to being part of a cohort,” says Soto. “And some are even going to evolve their concept and showcase different facets of their work.”
Participating chefs bring a wide range of culinary experience to the table (pun fully intended), including pasta, Indian street food, Asian fusion and much more. Prices will vary, and will be announced when tickets drop. Here’s the lineup:
March: Josh Bednar leads off with his popup series The Workbench, combining fine dining with cocktail and wine pairings. @workbench_dining
April: Pradyut Bansal brings the Chaatwala Indian street food stall popular at Denver farmers’ market into the Bear Leek kitchen. @denverchaatwala
May: David Arnold and Freehand Provisions focus on sustainability and local goods, blending eating with education. @freehandprovisions
June: The “pasta omakase” experience that Domi’s Matthew Drazick started in his home kitchen gets the professional kitchen treatment. @domidenver
July: Chinese food meets Southern comfort with Magnolion from Tiffany Leong and Cody James. @magnolion.den
August: Private chef Eric Vollono came to Denver by way of New York, Chicago and New Orleans, and regularly stages at area restaurants. @chefericvollono
September: Bear Leek sous chef Benjamin Carolan gets to take control of the kitchen and put out his own food. @benjamin.carolan
October: Sfoglina’s Jesse Albertini and Mussel Club’s Will Harris will team up for carb-loaded seafood combos. @sfoglinadenver X @denvermusselclub
Aiding these efforts are sponsors including Regular Architecture, Cannolo Family Farms and Soto’s Sun Sun Foods, along with Behind The Apron Media and Fierberg’s Bowery Creative, with others to be announced.
“We’re just trying to make something special for the community and make sure that we can continue to have a sense of relevance regarding those who don’t necessarily have the biggest space or the biggest voice, but certainly deserve it,” Soto says. “Creating a third space that is vitally important for us to share ideas and conversations, our culture, our trials, our tribulations and successes. I think that’s the most important aspect of Up NXT.”
For updates, follow NXT DEN on Instagram or check the Events section of the Bear Leek reservation platform.
