Resort incubates top chefs

For about 90 years, The Broadmoor has been the epitome of resort luxury. The "Grand Dame of the Rockies" has been a Mobil Five-Star resort for 48 years and a AAA Five-Diamond resort for 32 years. It has 18 well-respected restaurants and cafes, including the Penrose Room - the only AAA Five-Diamond restaurant in Colorado.

No wonder anyone with an eye toward a career in the culinary, beverage and hospitality fields clamor to work there and learn the ins and outs of a professional kitchen.

Lucky for local epicures, a lot of people who train there stay in the community, bringing their talents to other establishments in every corner of the Pikes Peak region.

Among them: Paul York, general manager of The Cliff House in Manitou Springs, who sings high praises for his experience at The Broadmoor.

"I did three tours of duty there for a total of 15 years," York said. "I got so much experience there from being a waiter to becoming the captain of the Penrose Room and sommelier de Broadmoor. In my opinion, it is the best hotel on the planet."

Joseph Freyre, who now owns his own restaurant, Joseph's - Fine Dining in a Casual Atmosphere, worked at The Broadmoor for many years. During his first stint at the Penrose Room, he learned some impressive moves from the master chef.

"In fact, he is the chef who trained me to do tableside preparation and flambé desserts," said Freyre, who started working at the hotel in 1978, then left to work elsewhere before returning in 1986 to be maitre d' of the Penrose Room.

We did some sleuthing and rounded up more restaurant employees around town who are Broadmoor alums. Here's a peek at the influence The Broadmoor has had on the local dining scene.

- Contact the writer: 636-0271 or teresa.farney@gazette.com

 The Club at Flying Horse, 1880 Weiskopf Point.
Alec Schrader, executive chef, was chef at The Tavern from 1999 to 2002.
Courtney Diesing, pastry chef, was a pastry chef at several Broadmoor restaurants, including The Tavern and Charles Court, from 2002 to 2004.
Kelly Shearwood, sous chef, was a chef in the main kitchen and Penrose Room from 2001 to 2004.

 The Cliff House at Pikes Peak, 306 Cañon Ave. Manitou Springs.

Paul York, general manager, was at The Broadmoor a total of 15 years from 1981 to 1993, serving in several positions from waiter in the Penrose Room to sommelier de Broadmoor.
Julius (Jay) Watson, food and beverage director, was wine steward and assistant maitre d' at Charles Court 1986 to 1997.
Sabina Tschur, day manager of the restaurant, was the first female server in the Penrose Room. She was at The Broadmoor from 1989 to 1995.
Scott Savage, executive chef, was a cook at Charles Court from 1991 to 1998. He's gone on to win several culinary awards, including Colorado Springs Chorale's Chefs' Gala awards several years in a row.
Patrick Swetnam, chef de cuisine, was a demi chef at The Broadmoor 1999 to 2003.

Joseph's - Fine Dining in a Casual Atmosphere, 1606 S. Eighth St.

Joseph Freyre, owner, held several positions at The Broadmoor, including maitre d' at the Penrose Room, from 1978 to 1998.

 The Blue Star, 1645 S. Tejon St.; Nosh, 121 S. Tejon St.; and La'au's Taco Shop, 830 N. Tejon St.

 Joseph Coleman, owner, was a bellman at The Broadmoor from 1988 to 1991.

 Oracle Corporation, 12320 Oracle Blvd.

 Samuel Stern, executive chef and manager of food service, was an apprentice and garde-manger chef at The Broadmoor from 1995 to 2000.

 El Paso Club, 30 E. Platte Ave.

Adam Merilson, general manager, was a manager at Charles Court and The Golden Bee from 1999 to 2004.

 Garden of the Gods Club, 3320 Mesa Road.

Dena Santiago, banquet manager, was banquet manager at The Broadmoor from 2002 to 2005.

 Antlers Hilton, 4 S. Cascade Ave.

Audrey Landress, pastry chef, was chef tournant and a pastry chef at The Broadmoor from 1998 to 2003.

 Whole Foods Market, 7635 N. Academy Blvd.

Scarlett Farney, chef in the meat department, was an apprentice and chef at The Golden Bee from 2004 to 2008. (Editor's note: Scarlett is Teresa Farney's daughter.)

 Cheyenne Mountain Resort, 3225 Broadmoor Valley Road.

Renate Lawson, garde-manger chef, was a chef at the Penrose Room from 1978 to 1984.

 Boonzaaijer's Dutch Bakery, 4935 Centennial Blvd.

Stephen Boonzaaijer, owner, was a pastry cook and demi-chef at The Broadmoor from 1995 to 1997.

 Picnic Basket Catering, 1701 S. Eighth St. Jonathan Peterson, executive chef, was an apprentice at The Broadmoor from 1999 to 2004.