Alamosa’s Friar’s Fork Restaurant was recently named a semifinalist for 2023 James Beard Award Best New Restaurant.
Considered to be among the nation’s most prestigious honors, the James Beard Awards recognize exceptional talent in the culinary industry. Restaurants must also show a demonstrated commitment to racial and gender equity, community, and sustainability.
Friar’s Fork is one of thirty new restaurants that are finalists for the Best New Restaurant category, recognizing demonstrated excellence in cuisine, atmosphere, hospitality, and operations while also making a positive contribution to their community.
Denise Vigil, Friar’s Fork owner and Alamosa native is a trained chef who worked in some of the country’s top restaurants before returning home to the San Luis Valley to open her own restaurant. The restaurant opened in July 2022 on Fourth Street in Alamosa. When she needed funding to launch her vision, she turned to First Southwest Community Fund. We recently interviewed her about starting her business, you can read the interview here.
We are delighted to help entrepreneurs like Denise realize their dreams!
See her reaction to the award nomination here.
To learn more about FSWCF’s loans, grants and education programs, please visit fswcf.org/all-programs/.