Colorado Restaurant Association & Foundation

Congratulations to James Wiggington for finishing the Colorado Restaurant Foundation Kitchen Manager Apprenticeship program at Nocturne in Denver! 👏 We are thrilled for James and can't thank Nocturne enough for their partnership as a certified-apprentice employer. It’s been wonderful to see our apprenticeship program grow this year through our partnership with the National Restaurant Association Education Foundation. This program helps restaurants and hotels grow their teams by creating a fast-track for determined hospitality workers. To learn more about our apprenticeship program, visit this link: https://lnkd.in/g8GMBJh5

Voting is now open for the HOSPYS, the Colorado Restaurant Association's new industry awards. There are 34 finalists statewide in categories such as Food Truck of the Year, Newcomer Restaurant of the Year and Chef of the Year. The HOSPY Awards are meant to elevate and celebrate our restaurant and hospitality community, which represents more than 10 percent of Colorado’s workforce and is a key driver of the state’s economy. The HOSPY Awards Gala will take place on Wednesday, November 6 in the Seawell Ballroom at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. https://lnkd.in/gNRmCqaB

The Colorado ProStart® culinary program in Cherry Creek Schools is finding a new way to get kids out of the classroom and get prepared for future careers! https://lnkd.in/geWK2H_D

The Denver Food + Wine Festival is coming up next weekend!🍴Enjoy a sneak peek of what Fox and the Hen chef/partner — and ‘Top Chef’ alum — Carrie Baird and her team of Colorado ProStart® students are serving during the Grand Tasting on this segment of Colorado & Company! President of the Colorado Restaurant Foundation Laura Shunk also shared what guests can expect during the festival from September 4-7, as well as the good cause that all ticket proceeds go towards. Tune in to watch the segment through the link. https://lnkd.in/gYW-mekW

🚀 Exciting news from the CRF Apprenticeship program: We're launching a new mentorship program! 🎉 Our seasoned apprentices will now have the opportunity to virtually mentor current apprentices, fostering peer-to-peer connections and growth. This initiative is yet another way the CRF is strengthening industry connections and building a brighter future together. Meet the apprentices who have completed their training and are on their way to becoming mentors. All are certified line cooks: Julia Grote - The Butchery Bryant Wright - Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center Owen Kunselman - Panzano (currently employed at Mercantile Dining and Provision) #corestaurants #coloradorestaurants #futureofwork #apprenticeshipcolorado

CRA chapter members: Join us at the table and help your community thrive! Chapter Board of Directors applications are now open! This is a GREAT way to get involved, work with your local restaurant community, and help shape legislation that will affect your business. And, as a board member, you'll be among the first to get legislative updates and learn about compliance issues facing your business. Applications are due on August 31. Visit the link below to learn more and apply. https://lnkd.in/gFzSHdHs #corestaurants #coloradorestaurants #coloradorestaurantassociation

The City of Denver has announced its annual minimum-wage rates for 2025, which will increase the non-tipped wage to $18.81 per hour and the tipped wage to $15.79 per hour, as of January 1. This reflects an increase of $0.52 per hour over the previous minimum wage. How will the increase in Denver’s minimum wage impact your business? Click the link below to take a flash survey and let us know... so we can advocate for your business! https://lnkd.in/gWrXNMgE

The Denver Food + Wine Festival is coming up September 4 - 7! 🍴 Join us for the culinary celebration of the year and our biggest fundraiser. Learn more & view the events taking place over four days at https://lnkd.in/dpembzPF.

We're hiring! Please spread the word and help us find the next member of our rockstar team. https://lnkd.in/gzUbKE2K

Colorado operators: The new DOL Overtime Final Rule began last week, on July 1, raising the standard salary threshold for overtime pay to $43,888 annually. For more information on this rule, visit the link below. Consider becoming a CRA member, too, to receive our info-packed newsletters! Restaurant operators should take the following measures in regard to the Overtime rule: 1. Review job duties to ensure correct classification (exempt vs. non-exempt) 2. Check payroll records to identify exempt employees below the new threshold 3. Consider adjusting salaries or reclassifying employees as non-exempt and tracking hours for overtime pay 4. Seek guidance from a local employment attorney to ensure compliance with the Final Rule and relevant laws #corestaurants #CRA #compliance #restaurantlife https://lnkd.in/eqWdrPUp