![Wyoming Native Patrick Kelly Is Now One Of America’s Best Chefs](http://townsquare.media/site/98/files/2017/05/panzanodenver.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Wyoming Native Patrick Kelly Is Now One Of America’s Best Chefs
Before Patrick Kelly took over as the Executive Chef at Panzano in Denver, he honed his skills at several legendary restaurants across the country, including La Folie in San Franciso, Spiaggia in Chicago and Angele in Napa Valley.
His passion for food, however, began in the family kitchen at his childhood home in Cheyenne, Wyoming.
Inspired by his Sicilian grandmother, Kelly learned to cook as a young man. After high school, he left for Laramie and earned his degree in business and economics from the University of Wyoming.
Kelly was ready to settle down to get a "real job" when made a bold move. Shocking his friends and family, he turned down lucrative opportunities in the finance sector and enrolled at the Culinary Institute of America. On the weekends, he worked for free at several restaurants in New York to build his resume.
Years later, his gamble has paid off. After being named Executive Chef for the Claude Lane Restaurant Group in San Francisco, Kelly took over Lure & Till in Palo Alto, California.
Kelly was happy in the Bay Area until he heard about the opening at Panzano in Denver last summer. The chance to run a well-respected restaurant only 100 miles away from home was just too good to pass up. Now, he's elevating cuisine in the Mile High City's theatre district.
More From My Country 95.5
![Wyoming’s Beer Song Made A New Top 100 List](http://townsquare.media/site/102/files/2024/06/attachment-VS-YouTube-WyomingTraditionsTheBeerSong-0%2525E2%252580%25259933%2525E2%252580%25259D.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Big Day In Casper If You Love Wings And Beer](http://townsquare.media/site/102/files/2024/05/attachment-Double-Dubs-At-Stahoos.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![A Big Run To Raise Money For Vets In Casper](http://townsquare.media/site/102/files/2024/04/attachment-Veterans-Run.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Watch Logan Wilson’s Journey From Casper To The NFL](http://townsquare.media/site/102/files/2023/12/attachment-Logan-Wilson-1.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Toys for Tots Touchdown: Donate at the Wyoming v. Hawaii Game](http://townsquare.media/site/98/files/2023/11/attachment-toy-drive-war-memorial.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![How To Know If You’re An Irritatating Wyoming Shopper](http://townsquare.media/site/102/files/2024/07/attachment-Wyoming-Pet-Peeves.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Yellowstone Hydrothermal Explosion: What Really Happened At Biscuit Basin?](http://townsquare.media/site/102/files/2024/07/attachment-Yellowstone-Explosion.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Sleeping In Isn’t A Great Idea When You Visit Yellowstone](http://townsquare.media/site/102/files/2024/07/attachment-Yellowstone-Traffic.jpg?w=980&q=75)