Denver dumpling chef win James Beard Award

Penelope Wong, a Denver native and owner of Yuan Wonton, won the James Beard Award for Best Chef in the Mountain U.S. on Monday night during the live ceremony at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. This marks her third nomination in a row, and the first win for the dumpling shop, which started as a food truck in 2019. Wong opened Yuan Wonton with her husband Rob Jenks and sous chef Ngoc Nguyen, and the restaurant has since transitioned to a brick-and-mortar location at 2878 Fairfax St., open Tuesdays through Fridays. The award recognizes Wong’s contributions to the culinary scene in the Mountain U.S., a region that includes Colorado, Utah, Montana, and other western states. During her acceptance speech, Wong expressed surprise at winning, calling it a ‘dream come true’ despite her initial modest goals. She also playfully acknowledged fellow nominee Johnny Curiel of Alma Fonda Fina, saying, ‘I beat Johnny Curiel!’ The James Beard Awards ceremony highlighted the role of immigrants in shaping the food industry, with multiple winners emphasizing their ethnic heritage. Other Colorado nominees included Josh Niernberg of Bin 707 Foodbar in Grand Junction for Outstanding Chef, Ryan Fletter of Barolo Grill in Denver for Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service, and McLain Hedges and Mary Allison Wright of Yacht Club in Denver for Outstanding Professionals in Cocktail Service. Yuan Wonton was one of 32 finalists featured in the Denver Post’s bracket of the best dumplings in the city, reflecting its growing reputation in Denver’s food scene. The win solidifies Wong’s place as a leader in modern dumpling cuisine, blending tradition with innovation in a rapidly evolving culinary landscape.