Part of the Hyatt family, Thompson Hotels has introduced A Taste of Thompson Chef Series, a new content franchise that spotlights the personal culinary journeys of their standout chefs. The series delivers curated, ticketed dining events that showcase each chef’s signature dishes and the stories behind them.
The inaugural event took place at Chez Maggy in Thompson Denver, where Michelin-starred Chef Ludo Lefebvre presented a tasting menu paired with wines. Drawing on family recipes and kitchen memories, Chef Lefebvre opened with canapés including caviar and chips, a prosciutto palmier, and a compact arancini with tapioca, parmesan and piment d’espelette. The main courses featured ginger-marinated tuna noodles with lime, avocado and radish; filet of sole Véronique with mushrooms, grapes and yellow miso brown butter; and a pot-au-feu of beef tenderloin with winter vegetables and tartar sauce. The meal concluded with a brie cheesecake accented by apple butter, toasted barley, white chocolate and hay cream.
Chef Ludo Lefebvre © Thompson Hotels
Thompson Denver is a destination in its own right. A short walk from Union Station and positioned on the 16th Street Mall, the hotel provides convenient access to local attractions such as Dairy Block, Larimer Square, museums, bars and entertainment venues. The property’s 216 rooms and suites interpret the American West with refined details: reusable aluminum water bottles, eucalyptus sprigs in bathrooms, steamers rather than irons, plush robes, makeup mirrors, espresso and snack stations, and tea kettles available on request. A subtle signature scent greets guests throughout public spaces, while suites are enhanced with Victrola record players and physical records.
Wellness programming includes chocolate- and candle-making classes offered frequently each month, and the hotel regularly hosts pop-up shops and special events. Dining and social options include Reynard Social on the sixth floor, Bar M for cocktails, and the lobby-level Duel Coffee. The coffee shop’s name references an actual duel that took place on this site on Aug. 24, 1877—between businesswoman Kate Fulton and brothel owner Mattie Silks—over a shared love interest, Corteze Thomson. The duel and its story are woven into the hotel’s identity, with meeting rooms named after the women and the tale adding historical color to the property.
© Thompson Hotels
The Chef Series will continue in the coming months, giving diners more chances to experience Thompson Hotels’ culinary programming. On Jan. 15, Lola Rose Grand Mezze at Thompson Palm Springs will host Dinner with Chef Quentin Garcia. As the property’s executive chef, Garcia brings expertise rooted in French culinary techniques and experience from kitchens across Europe. He graduated from the Art Institute of California–Orange County and has led teams at notable California restaurants including The Restaurant at Meadowood, Blue Note and Rainbird.
On Feb. 6, Manta at The Cape, a Thompson Hotel in Cabo San Lucas, will present Dinner with Chef Enrique Olvera. A Mexico City native and Culinary Institute of America alumnus, Chef Olvera is internationally celebrated for Pujol, which has earned two Michelin stars. He also received the Michelin Guide’s Special Mentor Chef Award in recognition of his work promoting Mexico’s flavors, history and cooking traditions to chefs worldwide.
With this series, Thompson Hotels offers food-focused travelers and local diners alike an opportunity to taste thoughtfully composed menus while learning the personal stories and culinary philosophies that shape each chef’s craft.