Creating an Elevated Yet Sustainable Culinary Experience

Successful planners know that food is so much more than just a meal. It enriches connection and collaboration, and it transcends culture to bring people together.  

As associations increasingly prioritize sustainability, planning a meeting with locally sourced and environmentally conscious dining options has become a must. Not only does it ensure attendees are treated to culinary delights that honor the local and global communities, but it also fosters a sense of shared values that enhances that overall meeting experience.  

Denver is making a name for itself with a diverse culinary scene bound to create memorable dining experiences for those who visit the Mile High City. From intimate dinners at newly honored Michelin Green Star restaurants to the Colorado Convention Center’s dedication to farm-to-table catering, the city’s commitment to sustainability enhances its appeal. 

The culinary renaissance in Denver is led by local favorites that highlight the best of neighborhoods around the city, multiple new gourmet halls, and a burgeoning beer scene that features more than 150 craft breweries and taprooms. It’s also underscored by the prestigious Michelin Guide’s recognition of 26 restaurants in its highly anticipated, inaugural 2023 Colorado-based guide.  

Two Denver restaurants received a Michelin Green Star,  recognizing a restaurant’s dedication to sustainability, encompassing everything from sourcing ingredients locally to reducing waste and conserving energy. Denver’s food scene shines brightly with both Green Star recipient restaurants, Brutø and The Wolf’s Tailor, which are at the forefront of a movement that prioritizes the environment as much as the palate. 

“Denver has an amazing culinary scene. Everything from smaller brew pubs to Michelin-starred restaurants. You can pretty much find anything you want in Denver.”

Jared Cohen, CMP, senior director, convention and meeting services for the American Academy of Pediatrics.

At Ash’Kara — named among Michelin’s Bib Gourmand awards, which highlights restaurants that offer quality food at good prices — sustainability goes hand-in-hand with cultural diversity.  

Executive Chef Reggie Dotson believes the restaurant’s eclectic mix of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean flavors serves as a bridge between cultures. “I like to say that our cuisine is a melting pot of cuisines, but it also brings in a melting pot of people,” Dotson states. “You know, you have a range of families, businesspeople in town for work, young people on their first date. It’s energetic. And this little melting pot of everything adds to the diversity of conversations that are going on.” 

Ash’Kara’s menu features dishes that encourage communal dining and sharing. This approach not only reduces waste but also fosters connection among meeting attendees gathering there. “I think a lot of times intimate moments are made over food,” Dotson notes. “And I think the nice thing about our cuisine is that it kind of forces you to talk without talking. Between the shared appetizers and the idea of breaking bread with pita, it just gives you a natural icebreaker to start to get to know each other.” 

But it’s not just off-site at restaurants around downtown Denver and its surrounding neighborhoods where attendees will have the opportunity to experience delicious yet sustainably sourced meals. The Colorado Convention Center is aiming to erase the line between a “regular event” and a “green event” by making all events held at the center sustainable, including when it comes to catering options. 

As part of Denver Seeds, a city initiative to promote urban gardens, greenhouses, and local farming operations, the convention center installed Blue Bear Farm, which includes more than 5,000 square feet of growing space that provides fresh produce and herbs year-round for the center’s catering.  

The convention center’s catering and operations teams also set goals to increase plant-based menu options by 35% by 2024 and decrease food waste by 75% by 2026. To divert waste from landfills, the center offers compost and recycling options in its lobbies, meeting rooms, and exhibit hall, and it donates leftover food items to a wide variety of local non-profit organizations that provide for Denver’s underserved communities. 

Food and beverage, waste management, and recycling and reuse efforts extend to other major venues throughout the city as well, including the Denver Performing Arts Complex, Red Rocks Amphitheatre, and the Denver Coliseum. 

And for those associations with their sights set on achieving a carbon-neutral event, the Visit Denver website also includes an Eco Friendly Event CO2e Emissions Calculator that will estimate an event’s carbon footprint, including travel, hotel, and waste impact. The Visit Denver team is also available to help event professionals prioritize sustainable options for attendees at hotels and venues for off-site events.  

According to Knowland and ConferenceDirect’s 2024 State of the Industry Meeting Planner Survey, sustainability is the third top trend influencing meetings, behind DEI and attendee well-being, so selecting destinations that also prioritize and practice those ideas positions an association at the leading edge of a growing trend. 

For association event professionals, Denver offers attendees an experience that blends innovative dining, cultural diversity, and environmental stewardship. The city provides the opportunity for an enriching and unforgettable experience that extends beyond the plate, making a positive impact on people and the planet.