10 MINUTES WITH THE FOUNDER: Work & Class Issue 014

ISSUE 014

10 M I NUTES WITH THE FOUNDER

Are you a city person? sliferdenver.com — @sliferdenver

A conversation with Delores Tronco, founder of Work & Class.

A conversation with Delores Tronco, founder of Work & Class.

Share with us… What is W&C? Work & Class is a casual, full-service restaurant serving a square meal and a stiff drink—at a fair price. Our menu is focused on Latin and American flavors, and we put great emphasis on providing warm, gracious, and efficient service. We take our food and service seriously, but never ourselves.

How does this tagline connect your guests with your brand “The supreme accomplishment is to blur the line between work and play.” -Arnold J. Toynbee For us, running a restaurant is the only thing we can imagine doing. It’s in our blood. Six nights a week, we leave our cares at the door and throw a party. And that party can get a little noisy—after all, we ARE in shipping containers, and if you’re open to the experience—one that isn’t defined by white tablecloths, unfamiliar ingredients, or stiff “steps of service,” you’ll very likely have a great time.

“To me, RiNo is about entrepreneurship, art, and a touch of the subversive/ rebel community in Denver. Basically, it couldn’t be more perfect for us.”

— Founder of W&C Delores Tronco, on what it means to be part of the RiNo community

You’ve received many awards and reviews since your doors opened tell us more…

Some huge highlights for us have been a James Beard nomination (Best Chef Southwest category), being ranked as one of the 21 Best New Restaurants in America by Thrillist and one of the 14 Best New Restaurants in America

by Zagat, and receiving the Newcomer of the Year Award from the Colorado Restaurant Association, which is essentially the best new restaurant award for the entire state.

Crazy!

What is a must order first time in...

As an appetizer, Peppers Five Ways is a must. It’s five completely distinct preparations of peppers (fresno poppers, bacon-wrapped jalapenos, grilled shishitos, pickled gypsy peppers, and pepper jam with toast), and it can definitely pack some heat. For main course, I can’t resist the Coriander Roasted Colorado Lamb with a side of Fried Sweet Plantains and Goat Cheese Masa.

Best business advice you’ve ever received...

The best business advice I’ve ever received is also the best life advice I’ve ever received: keep your eyes in your own lane. Don’t worry about what the person next to you is doing—keep your focus on your own journey and put all of your energy into making that the best it can be.

What does it mean to be part of the RiNo community...

To me, RiNo is about entrepreneurship, art, and a touch of the subversive/rebel community in Denver. Basically, it couldn’t be more perfect for us.

Shipping containers… What brought this design to reality?

Honestly, the landlord and developer for the project, Ryan Diggins. I wish we could take credit, but we only signed up for his vision. It was a good one, and we couldn’t be happier with how the restaurant turned out.

What is your favorite guest interaction that brings you joy...

Connecting with someone who is genuinely touched by their experience. Many times, those are solo diners…the ones who come in with a book and ask for a seat at the chef’s counter. People are typically more willing to tell you their story when they’re not surrounded by friends and family. It’s a privilege to learn about what makes people tick.

Currently, what are you and your team inspired by...

Next up….

I’m really inspired by a book called The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership. I geek out on leadership theory all the time—it’s definitely a strong area of interest for me—and conscious leadership has opened up a new way of thinking for me about how I lead, why I do what I do, react how I react, etc. It’s reaching me to see things in a different light.

Two more businesses in RiNo—one is a new restaurant called Super Mega Bien, and the other is still top secret (we’re bound by a gag order with our landlord), but completely awesome. Let’s follow up again in 2017 when they are open for business…I’m sure there will be plenty of new things to talk about!

ISSUE 014

10 M I NUTES WITH THE FOUNDER

Are you a city person? sliferdenver.com — @sliferdenver

A conversation with Delores Tronco, founder of Work & Class.