When you can sip on a refreshing Gin Collins and munch on caviar and fresh oysters while sharing a laugh with Gov. Hickenlooper and helping to build gardens in local schools, you’ve had a good night. And a good night was indeed had by all at The Kitchen Denver’s recent first anniversary celebration and fundraiser for The Kitchen [Community].
The Kitchen Denver is just one of four restaurants that make up The Kitchen Community which began when cofounders Hugo Matheson, Kimbal Musk and Jen Lewin first opened The Kitchen Boulder in 2004 with the goal of creating a place where community is created through food. In 2011, this goal was expanded beyond the walls of The Kitchen restaurants with the creation of The Kitchen [Community] nonprofit which builds Learning Gardens in schools and other community areas.More than a place to grow fresh produce, Learning Gardens are an outdoor classroom and experiential play space. Designed by Jen Lewin Studios, each Learning Garden is customizable in size and layout and provides a place where learning, nutrition, community, and play can come together. To date, The Kitchen [Community] has created 67 Learning Gardens in schools nationwide and 30 in Colorado and has over a hundred more slated to be built in the next year.
If you’re interested in contributing to The Kitchen [Community], make a reservation for Community Night. At The Kitchen Denver, Community Night is held every Monday at 7pm around the Community Table in the Wine Room. For $35, diners get to share a meal featuring a varying selection of The Kitchen’s offerings with 20% of all sales going toward Learning Gardens being built in Denver Public Schools.
Helping a good cause never tasted so good with choices like those fresh Oysters, the Wisdom Farm Chicken which gets a little heat from harissa and is served with cumin yogurt, cucumber, couscous and almond salad or the Colorado Lamb Sirloin Oven Roasted served with appaloosa beans, sautéed greens & anchoyade. The only thing that competes with The Kitchen Denver’s food is the bright, open space created by cofounder and local artist Jen Lewin which features eye-catching, handmade chandeliers and, of course, open views into the pristine kitchen.
If you know of a 
school in Denver that could benefit from a Learning Garden, or to just learn more, check out The Kitchen [Community]
The Kitchen Denver is located at 16th and Wazee, a perfect place to eat, sip and people watch.
Photos courtesy of Cheryl Upshaw.