The chef who built a cult following for the dumplings she served from a Denver food truck is now a James Beard winner.
Why it matters: Penelope Wong’s journey from street-food sensation to award-winning restaurateur culminated Monday with a James Beard Award for Best Chef: Mountain.
State of play: Wong, who opened Yuan Wonton’s North Park Hill restaurant in 2023, ended her acceptance speech Monday by thanking women in the industry.
- “It’s always been a priority of mine especially to help uplift other women, because I know that they’re not always seen in the kitchen,” Wong told us.
- She also thanked her friend and mentor, fellow James Beard Award winner Caroline Glover, adding she was proud to follow in her footsteps.
What they’re saying: “You all believed in me, even more so than myself, and I can’t thank you enough,” Wong told Axios from the ceremony in Chicago, stressing her gratitude to the Denver community.
- “It’s the most incredible feeling,” she told us after her win.
Wong had received three previous nominations before Monday’s win…