This week, the breakneck culinary scene in Denver witnessed chef shuffles, a new concept announcement and a finalist nomination for acclaimed LoHi speakeasy. Sounds like just another week in the Mile High City. Below, the best of food news in Denver.

Ryan Witcher Joins Sugarmill

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Pavlova Honeycomb at Sugarmill. Photo by Brittany Werges.

Troy Guard and the team at Sugarmill have brought in chef-partner Ryan Witcher to helm the kitchen. Witcher started his culinary career at a small family-run restaurant in Michigan before landing a pastry position with chef Daniel Boulud at acclaimed Restaurant Daniel in New York City. Since then, he worked in high-end hotels across the world and most recently served as executive pastry chef and chef de cuisine at Tavern on the Green in New York City.

Chef Witcher is launching a summer-centric menu at Sugarmill that is inspired by both international flavors and Sugarmill’s casual space. Sugarmill is located at 2461 Larimer Street and is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner during the week and brunch and dinner on the weekends.

Williams & Graham Nominated as Best American Bar Team 

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Sean Kenyon shows of Williams & Graham’s Best American Bar award from last year. Image courtesy of Williams & Graham.

The team at Williams & Graham, the award-winning cocktail bar at 3160 Tejon Street, was named a finalist in the Best American Bar Team category of the Spirited Awards—the nation’s premier bar award program that has been around since 2007. Last year, the LoHi speakeasy won Best American Bar, while two years ago, owner and bartender Sean Kenyon won American Bartender of the Year.

The winner will be announced on Saturday, July 23 in New Orleans as an event for Tales of the Cocktail.

Annette to Join Stanley Marketplace

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Stanley Marketplace. Photo by Kim Baker.

Annette, a brand new concept from former Acorn sous chef Caroline Glover, will join Stanley Marketplace when it opens in Aurora later this year. The restaurant will focus on locally sourced dishes that highlight purveyors and emphasize creativity and rustic simplicity. Serving lunch, dinner and weekend brunch, in addition to a full bar program, Annette will focus on scratch-to-table, wood-fired food.

Glover joined the Acorn team in 2014 as sous chef, where she stayed for two years. Prior to her stint in the Source, Glover worked for April Bloomfield at The Spotted Pig in New York City; Fresh and Wyld, a bed and breakfast in Paonia, Colorado; and a monthly supper club in Carbondale, Colorado.

Annette will occupy a southeast space adjacent to the main entrance in Stanley Marketplace, when it opens at 2501 Dallas Street.

La Loma Delays Move

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Tacos at La Loma. Photo courtesy of La Loma.

Following a string of setbacks, La Loma Mexican Kitchen will remain at their current 2527 W 26th Ave. address until the end of August, due to construction delays. The team is planning to reopen in September downtown at 18th and Broadway streets.

Owned and operated by the Brinkerhoff family since 1981, La Loma has been a Denver favorite for Tex-Mex and Mexican fare. In the meantime, guests can enjoy the patio and character of the original Jefferson Park location