Part of Hyatt, Thompson Hotels rolled out a delicious way to discover the star chefs at their properties: A Taste of Thompson Chef Series, a brand-new content franchise celebrating the personal culinary journey of each featured chef.

Launched at Thompson Denver’s Chez Maggy, the restaurant’s Michelin-starred Chef Ludo Lefebvre presented a menu of favorites with paired wines, including French dishes inspired by his own family and kitchen experiences. After canapes like caviar and chips; prosciutto ham palmier; and a square of arancini, tapioca, parmesan and piment d’espelette, the main event was served. This began with ginger-marinated tuna noodles with lime, avocado and radish; filet of sole Veronique with mushrooms, grapes and yellow miso brown butter; and Pot au feu of beef tenderloin with winter vegetables and tartar sauce. The meal wrapped with a delectable and delicious brie cheesecake with apple butter, toasted barley, white chocolate and hay cream.

Chef Ludo Lefebvre © Thompson Hotels

The Denver property is a worthy destination all on its own. Located a short walk from Union Station, with a direct train link to Denver International Airport, the hotel opens directly on to 16^th Street Mall, with easy access to Dairy Block, Larimer Square, museums, bars and entertainment. The 216 rooms and luxury suites offer a sophisticated take on the American West, with thoughtful details like reusable aluminum water bottles, fresh eucalyptus bunches hanging in bathrooms, steamers instead of irons, robes, make-up mirrors, espresso/coffee and snack stations, and tea kettles upon request. A gentle, soothing signature scent is pumped into rooms and guest spaces, while suite amenities include Victrola record players with actual physical records.

Chocolate- and candle-making classes are part of the property’s wellness programming, with classes offered an average of three weeks per month. Stay tuned to pop-up shops and other events. Be sure to stop in Reynard Social on the sixth floor, Bar M for cocktails or the lobby-level Duel Coffee shop. Named for an actual duel that took place at this site on Aug. 24, 1877, the coffee shop commemorates an Old West pistol shoot-out between businesswoman Kate Fulton and local brothel owner Mattie Silks over Corteze Thomson, a shared love interest.

© Thompson Hotels

The two rivals were fine, having agreed ahead of time Thomson should be their shared target. He survived, and so did the legend. Meeting spaces are named after the ladies, and the whole story adds a fascinating layer to the Denver hotel’s history.

The chef series will continue over the next few months. That means two more opportunities to experience the Thompson Hotels culinary adventure for yourself with a curated, ticketed dining experience. Coming up on Jan. 15 at Lola Rose Grand Mezze at Thompson Palm Springs is Dinner with Chef Quentin Garcia. Garcia, the property’s executive chef, will draw from his training in French food preparation traditions and his experience in kitchens throughout Europe.

A graduate of Art Institute of California–Orange County, Chef Garcia’s leadership extended to The Restaurant at Meadowood, Blue Note and Rainbird in California.

On Feb. 6, Manta at The Cape, a Thompson Hotel in Cabo San Lucas, will feature Dinner with Chef Enrique Olvera. A native of Mexico City, Chef Olvera’s alma mater is Culinary Institute of America in New York. Chef Olvera’s restaurant Pujol earned two Michelin stars, and he was awarded the Michelin Guide’s Special Mentor Chef Award for his global efforts to inspire other chefs to explore the unique flavors, history and cooking traditions of Mexico’s cuisine.