Chef Biography | KEVIN TAYLOR

ationally reputed for his creative, unpretentious approach to American cuisine, Kevin Taylor is a Colorado native who burst on the Denver dining scene in 1985, opening Zenith at the age of 25. Zenith garnered culinary acclaim, locally and nationally, including the prestigious Mobil Travel Guide Four Star rating.

In 1998, Taylor opened his eponymous Restaurant Kevin Taylor in the luxury, boutique Hotel Teatro. This intimate and luxurious space set standards previously unseen in Denver and Taylor has successfully raised culinary and service standards. Restaurant Kevin Taylor offers refined, seasonal menus of contemporary French cuisine. For eight consecutive years, Restaurant Kevin Taylor has received the AAA Four Diamond award, the Mobil Travel Guide Four Star award, and the Wine Spectator “Best of Award of Excellence.” Other major awards include: Nation Restaurant News’ Fine Dining Hall of Fame Recipient and Travel + Leisure’s “50 Best Hotel Restaurants,” Taylor continues to call this restaurant, “my pride and joy.”

Also in Hotel Teatro, adjacent to the flagship of Taylor’s fleet, is the stylish Prima Ristorante, voted one of Denver’s Top Ten New Restaurants of 2005 by 5280 Magazine. Taylor has created his own vision of contemporary Italian fare with a light, fresh take on Italian classics. Prima has been warmly received by Denver patrons and food critics alike, and has earned the Wine Spectator’s “Award of Excellence.”

Kevin Taylor’s at the Opera House and Kevin Taylor Catering offer guests a sophisticated and opulent dining experience in the Ellie Caulkins Opera House at the Denver Performing Arts Complex. Taylor creates seasonal menus with unparalleled presentations, using the freshest ingredients available from around the world.

In historic Central City, Rouge and The Face Restaurant are two restaurants in one of Colorado’s most prominent preserved historic spaces, the Teller House. Offering lighter fare in The Face and steaks, chops and seafood at Rouge - Central City Opera’s patrons have unique dining options just steps from the Opera.

A second Prima Ristorante location in downtown Boulder has also earned critical praise; Prima Ristorante Boulder serves a modern Italian menu for lunch and dinner.

Since 1997, Taylor and partner Denise Mease have been serving contemporary cuisine at the Denver Art Museum at Palettes, and recently have added a full service catering operation for museum events with Palettes Catering. In 2006 Palettes underwent a complete makeover for the anticipated Frederic C. Hamilton building opening. The new Palettes is modern, bright and artistic and the trend among leading art museums to incorporate a high profile dining experience lives on at Palettes.

November 2007, Taylor and team are always seeking ways to accommodate Denver’s theater patrons and will open Limelight Supper Club and Lounge. Guests will dine on creative American cuisine served in a casual lounge setting or a contemporary and sleek main dining room in the Denver Performing Arts Complex.