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July 11, Byron Gomez, Brutø, Denver
Born in Costa Rica, Chef Byron Gomez migrated to the United States when he was 8 years old and is a proud DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) recipient. His interest in culinary arts started at a young age and after several years cooking on Long Island, he set his sights on New York City. With a mission to learn from some of the country’s best, and learn various cultures through cuisine, he honed his skills under culinary luminaries like Daniel Boulud, Ronny Emborg, Gavin Kaysen, and Daniel Humm.
While working at Eleven Madison Park, named the World’s Best Restaurant in 2017, Chef Byron traveled with the restaurant’s pop-up experiences to the Hamptons and Aspen. After spending the winter in the Rocky Mountains resort town, he decided to plant roots and joined the team at 7908 Aspen in 2019. There, his refined, globally-inspired menu was paired with a world-class wine and bar program and his interest in local Colorado ingredients and farms was sparked. Chef Byron competed on Season 18 of Bravo’s Top Chef shot during the pandemic in Portland, OR. Seeking opportunities to share his cuisine with those outside of Aspen, Chef Byron participated in pop up dinners throughout Colorado, including at BRUTØ in 2021.
Following his time at 7908 seeking a larger, more diverse city, Chef Byron opened a fast-casual chicken concept called Pollo Tico paying homage to his Costa Rican roots in Boulder, CO. Chef Byron met Id Est’s Kelly Whitaker at the Aspen Food & Wine Classic in 2022 and the two formed a fast friendship. Looking to take BRUTØ in a new direction at the end of 2023, Kelly tapped Chef Byron to reimagine the menu at the 18-seat, Michelin Green-starred restaurant located at Free Market at the Dairy Block in Denver. Chef Byron worked closely alongside Id Est Director of Fermentation and Sustainability Mara King to craft the full utilization menu, highlighting local Colorado ingredients. Under Chef Byron’s direction, BRUTØ was awarded a Michelin star and a Michelin Green star in 2024, making him the first Costa Rican chef recipient. In 2025 Chef Byron Gomez was named one of the county’s most exciting food personalities on the Food Network “Hot List.”
Born in Costa Rica, Chef Byron Gomez migrated to the United States when he was 8 years old and is a proud DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) recipient. His interest in culinary arts started at a young age and after several years cooking on Long Island, he set his sights on New York City. With a mission to learn from some of the country’s best, and learn various cultures through cuisine, he honed his skills under culinary luminaries like Daniel Boulud, Ronny Emborg, Gavin Kaysen, and Daniel Humm.
While working at Eleven Madison Park, named the World’s Best Restaurant in 2017, Chef Byron traveled with the restaurant’s pop-up experiences to the Hamptons and Aspen. After spending the winter in the Rocky Mountains resort town, he decided to plant roots and joined the team at 7908 Aspen in 2019. There, his refined, globally-inspired menu was paired with a world-class wine and bar program and his interest in local Colorado ingredients and farms was sparked. Chef Byron competed on Season 18 of Bravo’s Top Chef shot during the pandemic in Portland, OR. Seeking opportunities to share his cuisine with those outside of Aspen, Chef Byron participated in pop up dinners throughout Colorado, including at BRUTØ in 2021.
Following his time at 7908 seeking a larger, more diverse city, Chef Byron opened a fast-casual chicken concept called Pollo Tico paying homage to his Costa Rican roots in Boulder, CO. Chef Byron met Id Est’s Kelly Whitaker at the Aspen Food & Wine Classic in 2022 and the two formed a fast friendship. Looking to take BRUTØ in a new direction at the end of 2023, Kelly tapped Chef Byron to reimagine the menu at the 18-seat, Michelin Green-starred restaurant located at Free Market at the Dairy Block in Denver. Chef Byron worked closely alongside Id Est Director of Fermentation and Sustainability Mara King to craft the full utilization menu, highlighting local Colorado ingredients. Under Chef Byron’s direction, BRUTØ was awarded a Michelin star and a Michelin Green star in 2024, making him the first Costa Rican chef recipient. In 2025 Chef Byron Gomez was named one of the county’s most exciting food personalities on the Food Network “Hot List.”