Vail locals recognized by Colorado Restaurant Association with hospitality awards
Inaugural HOSPYS awarded to leaders and mentors in the industry
Nikki A. Rae Photography/Courtesy photo
The spotlight was on the best and brightest stars of the restaurant industry in Colorado on Nov. 6 as the Colorado Restaurant Association announced its inaugural HOSPY Award honorees, and two Vail locals were on that list.
Chris Schmidt, executive chef and owner-operator of Craftsman Brew Co. and Il Mago in Edwards and Bird Craft in Frisco, was awarded Operator of the Year. Keith Webber of Mountain Standard in Vail Village was given the title of Best Bartender.
The Colorado Restaurant Association honored hospitality professionals and businesses across 14 award categories including Best Front-of-House and Back-of-House awards, Food Truck and Newcomer of the Year. At a gala held at the Seawell Ballroom at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, the event opened with remarks from Colorado Governor Jared Polis and was led by emcee and award-winning author and culinary historian Adrian Miller. This recognition continues in the tradition of the Colorado Restaurant Association’s historic Industry Spotlight Awards, celebrating the exceptional talent and accomplishments of Colorado’s restaurant and hospitality community, at all levels of the industry.
“Honestly, when I found out I won, I was completely blown away. It’s a huge honor and I couldn’t believe it at first,” Schmidt said. “There’s so much talent and so many amazing people in this industry, so to be recognized like that felt really special. It’s definitely a win for the whole team 鈥� everything we’ve been working toward at Craftsman, Il Mago and Bird Craft is reflected in this award. I’m just proud to be part of it.”
“I feel so fortunate to have found such a good home behind the bar at Mountain Standard,” Webber said. “I couldn’t have been in any position to get this award without the entire team around me, including ownership and office management, the kitchen and everyone else on the floor.”
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“The Colorado Restaurant Association has had employee recognition awards for a number of years now, and we have been fortunate to have a few of our employees as winners in various categories previously. This is the first year with the new HOSPY format, where employees can be nominated, then the finalists are put out to a public vote statewide. That format builds excitement and suspense as the winners are announced at the gala,” said Matt Morgan, owner of Sweet Basil and Mountain Standard. “We are grateful to have people like Keith Webber on our team.”
Nominations started coming in after the Colorado Restaurant Association asked the public for their input via online submissions in July. At the end of September, a nominating committee comprised of statewide media and industry professionals made the selections for finalists and awardees. The public submitted more than 4,200 votes across 10 awards categories in October, and the full roster of 2024 HOSPY Award honorees were selected based on those public votes and those of the awards committee.
The Colorado Restaurant Association is the champion for the state’s restaurant and hospitality community. Founded in 1933, the association protects, promotes and serves an $18-plus billion industry comprised of more than 13,000 eating and drinking establishments and more than 303,000 workers, representing 11% of the state’s workforce.
“Being recognized by the Colorado Restaurant Association is really meaningful to me. It’s not just about me as an individual, it’s about the work we’ve all put in as a team. I’m involved in every part of the business, from managing day-to-day operations to making decisions about the food, the drinks, the atmosphere 鈥� all of it. But being an operator also comes with its challenges. It’s a balancing act. Whether it’s making sure the kitchens are running smoothly, working with staff to keep morale high, or making tough decisions about the direction of the restaurants, it can be a lot. But it’s also incredibly rewarding,” Schmidt said. “Seeing our team thrive, watching guests enjoy what we do and knowing we’re making a difference in the community is what keeps me going.”
Webber said he has worked happily at Mountain Standard for over eleven years and always believes that using proper technique and execution is crucial.
“I try to get a sense of the base spirit and style of drink that a customer is looking for and not get too fancy with the first round. It’s rewarding to be given free rein and coming through with something new and enjoyable for a guest,” Webber said.
The restaurant industry is an important part of the Colorado economy and tourism industry.
“Whether it’s keeping us up-to-date on regulations, offering professional development or just creating a sense of community, the CRA is a huge asset,” Schmidt said. “The CRA helps make sure we’re all operating in a way that keeps that success going, not just for individual businesses, but for the state as a whole.”
To see the list of HOSPY winners go to .
