Frank Bonanno is the chef and proprietor of Bonanno Concepts, his Denver based group that has launched some of Colorado’s most celebrated restaurants and bars. In the more than 20 years since flagship eatery Mizuna opened, Frank’s rolled pasta at Luca d’Italia, explored the underground speakeasy world through iconic Green Russell; spun pizzas at Osteria Marco, curated the largest tap cocktail program in the country at divey little Vesper Lounge, and (I’m skipping a few venues here for the sake of space) started folding and crimping at Dumplin’ just this November.

Frank’s a double graduate of the University of Denver Daniels College of Business and the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park. He has authored two cookbooks, received multiple James Beard Foundation Award semifinalist nominations, and was the host of the widely popular PBS show Chef Driven. More than 20 of Frank’s former executive chefs have moved on to open restaurants of their own. Frank has figuratively and literally shaped the Colorado culinary landscape.