Chef Paul Nagan is the executive chef of range restaurant in Denver, Colorado. He graduated with honors in a culinary course at Johnson & Wales University. Nagan also has a Bachelors Degree in Economics & Business from Iowa’s Cornell College. His most notable accolades include winning the 2015 Chef & Brew Festival Best Pairing Award, as well as top finishes at the Colorado Taste of Excellence Competition and the National Taste of Elegance Competition of San Diego.
FriendsEAT: Describe the cuisine served at range.
Chef Paul Nagan: New American West
FE: What makes the restaurant special?
Chef Paul: At range, I’ve been allowed to create what I believe truly embody the term, “Native American West” cuisine. We source from Colorado and Rocky Mountain West as much as possible and implement techniques unique to the region: my favorites include smoking, wood oven roasting, and the use of cast iron. I love to focus on natural, grass-fed meats, wild game, fresh and local produce. We’re very dedicated to defining this type of cuisine.
FE: Where did you get your training?
Chef Paul: A culinary graduate with honors from Johnson & Wales University, I also have a Bachelors Degree in Economics & Business from Iowa’s Cornell College. I began a long tenure with Marriott as chef at properties including Denver Renaissance Hotel, the four-star, four-diamond San Mateo Marriott & Convention Center, Portland Downtown Waterfront and Vail Marriott Mountain Resort. I then became the consulting chef responsible for menu development, design and opening of the Hard Rock Hotel San Diego, where I orchestrated culinary events catering to celebrities including Cindy Crawford, Robert De Niro and others. Most recently, I served as the Executive Chef of Zink Kitchen + Bar at the Doubletree Hotel Denver Tech in Greenwood Village, Colorado, before becoming the Executive Chef at range.
FE: What are your three favorite cooking tools?
Chef Paul: Wood fire stove, cast iron pan, smoker.
FE: What is your favorite ingredient to cook with and why?
Chef Paul: I stick to sustainable seafood, local creamery cheeses, seasonal produce, natural and grass-fed meats and wild game. I do love to draw global inspiration from the rich Spanish and Mexican heritage of Colorado as well, and cook with dried chiles, salsas, moles and the like.
range is located at 918 17th Street, Denver, CO 80202.
[mappress mapid=”268″]Nearby Landmarks: Magnolia Hotel Denver, 16th Street Mall, and Courtyard Dever Downtown
Phone Number: (720) 726-4800
Hours of Operation:
- Mon ” Fri 06:30AM ” 10:00 PM
- Sat 07:00AM ” 10:00PM
- Sun 06:30AM ” 09:00PM
Smoked Bison Back Ribs
Also check out Chef Paul Nagan’s Smoked Bison Back Ribs with Root Beer BBQ Glaze Recipe