Denver Chefdude

Thursday, June 2, 2011

A new restaurant in the Denver Tech Center Opening Soon! Chinook Tavern

Markus Georg Executive Chef, Chinook Tavern

Some people spend their entire lives searching for their calling, while some lucky others, like Chinook Tavern Executive Chef Markus P. Georg, find theirs at a very early age.

"From the age of five, I knew I wanted to be a chef," said Markus. "I have always loved cooking and I love the energy of a kitchen. The busier the kitchen, the better."

German born Markus, is a 35-year resident of Colorado who started his career at a very early age. He used to stand on a chair so he could reach the kitchen counter in order to help and learn from his mother and grandmother. During his high school years, his first job was as a busboy at the Northwoods Inn in southwest Denver. He continued working at restaurants and honing his skills at every position in the business.

In 1985, Markus decided to take his career to a new level. Markus left Colorado to work as an apprentice under legendary German chef Joerg Mueller at his namesake restaurant on the island of Sylt, Germany, which at the time was rated among the top 25 restaurants in the world, as well as a 2 Michelin Star rated restaurant and a Grand Cru Wine Award winner. To round out his apprenticeship years, Chef Markus also worked at Restaurant Freihof, in Zwigenberg/Bergstrasse, Germany with Chef Piero Salotti from Sicily.

An apprentice under legendary German chef Joerg Mueller at his namesake restaurant on the island of Sylt, Germany, which at the time was rated among the top 25 restaurants in the world, as well as a 2 Michelin Star rated restaurant and a Grand Cru Wine Award winner. To round out his apprenticeship years, Chef Markus also worked at Restaurant Freihof, in Zwigenberg/Bergstrasse, Germany with Chef Piero Salotti from Sicily.

After two years in Germany, Markus returned to the U.S. and was accepted as a student at the prestigious and highly acclaimed Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York. His externship was spent at the Rattlesnake Club at the Tivoli Denver. After graduating from the Culinary Institute of America in 1989, Markus returned to his adopted home of Colorado. He then went on to become Chef de Cuisine for Klaus Fricke at the famous Tea Room Alpenrose, one of Vail's original mainstays.

In 1995, he returned to Denver to open the Chinook Tavern in Cherry Creek North with younger brother Clemens.

The most important objective to Chef Markus is making sure his food is prepared to perfection each day by enhancing flavors using sensitive seasoning and only the freshest ingredients. Cooking and baking is a passion for Markus and he continues to be a diligent student of cooking by educating himself on trends and cooking techniques. Drawing from his European training, and adding his own creative touch, Chef Markus and his team are creating a new menu inspired by classic European cuisine.

Chinook Tavern