1999 America's Best New Chefs | James Mazzio

15 Degrees, Boulder, Colorado

Age 29
Background Born in Wilmington, Delaware. Worked at Renaissance in Aspen, Colorado.
How he got into cooking "My dad and I didn't bond over baseball; we bonded over cooking shows."
How he padded his résumé "Charles Dale offered me a job at Renaissance as a butcher. I lied and said, 'Yeah, I have those skills.' And it worked out."
Menu bomb Macadamia-crusted sweetbreads with baby bok choy.
Favorite cookbook The Way to Cook by Julia Child.
What he eats at 1 A.M. "Chicken noodle soup if I'm in the mood for salt, or vanilla sorbet with caramel and chocolate sauce if I want something sweet."
Least favorite food Brussels sprouts. "It's the only vegetable I can't eat, and I eat everything known to man."
What he'd be if he weren't a chef A comedian.
Recipe tip Add oil to salad dressing as slowly as possible. If the emulsion breaks, gradually pour the dressing back into a running blender.
Restaurant details 1965 15th St.; 303-442-4222.

Published July 1999